Dennis Thompson
As we begin 2025, I would like to say thanks to all our sponsors (many long time) who have supported us throughout the year(s) A reminder that our Newsletter advertisers help us defray SBE Chapter 66 operating costs by with their support. So please support them as well. You will notice an addition to the bottom of the BECKMAN TOWER ad card. Be sure to update your files with the additional phone number and email information.
Also, thanks also to our presenters who hosted meetings and provided informative presentations. We look forward to their continued support in the upcoming year. As always, the Central Valley SBE welcomes businesses who can benefit by sharing their products and services in presentations or Newsletter sponsorships.
A reminder to current SBE members that membership renewal forms will be sent out soon. You can renew, using either the quick and easy online form at the SBE website, or the paper form at the bottom of the letter you will receive. If you’re not a registered SBE member, check out the benefits at the SBE website and join the current 25 members of Central Valley Chapter 66. Chapters receive a portion of the dues for each member assigned to that chapter, so your new membership helps us all.
Thursday night January 30th at 6PM is the SBE66 Meeting/Pizza Bash/Italian Dinner hosted by your local Central Valley SBE (that’s us). If it’s been a few years, or never, since you’ve attended one, think about coming out and saying hello. Bring your significant other. There’s a lot of fun to be had on Pollasky Avenue on a Thursday night. It sure beats going through your old Radio Shack gadgets and removing the corroding batteries.
This is also our officer election night. SBE 66 appreciates the service of our current Officers, Jaime Gonzalez, Tom Whitlock, Pat Fennacy and Steve Dresser who coordinate and keep the Chapter running smoothly. Steve is also a monthly contributor to this newsletter with important FCC information specific to our Central Valley. Be sure to check out his column as there is an extra bonus this month!
I wanted to mention that we lost one of our long-time broadcast engineers last month. Some of you may have known Paul Klienkramer, founder of Broadcast Technical Services in Exeter. I’ve included his obituary at the end of this post.
Looking forward to seeing you at Luna’s on Thursday.
Paul Ruben Kleinkramer Obituary
Age: 61 (December 10, 1962 to December 08, 2024) Resident of Exeter, California
Paul R. Kleinkramer passed away on December 8, 2024, at the age of 61, at his home in Exeter, after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer. He was born in Los Angeles on December 10, 1962, and grew up in Northridge and Wrightwood, CA. He was an active member of the San Fernando Valley Banjo Band from the age of 8 years old. He grew up enjoying antique cars with his father, George, and bought his first vintage car at the age of 15. He met his wife, Jane, in their senior year at Cleveland High School. They were married in 1984, before moving to San Luis Obispo to attend Cal Poly. Paul earned a B.S. in Electronic Engineering Technology, where he fell in love with repairing all things radio and the field of Broadcast Engineering. After college, Paul and Jane relocated to Tulare, CA, where Jane worked at Dairyman’s Cooperative Creamery Association and Land O’Lakes, Inc. Paul became the Chief Engineer at Mondosphere Broadcasting and then later founded Broadcast Technical Services, Inc., a small broadcast engineering firm serving commercial and non-profit AM and FM radio stations across the Central Valley and Central Coast, from Bakersfield to Modesto and Monterey. In 1998, they moved to Exeter, CA, where they raised their two daughters, Elizabeth and Hannah. Paul enjoyed off-roading in his vintage Willys Jeep, crossing the legendary Rubicon Trail many times. He was also an avid target shooter and amateur radio operator. He enjoyed hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada mountains, working on vintage cars, flying remote-controlled gliders with the Central Valley RC Soaring Club (CVRC), playing the ukulele with his daughters, barbecuing for his family & friends, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jane (Parry) Kleinkramer, daughter Hannah Kleinkramer, daughter Elizabeth Kleinkramer Cazares, son-in-law Bruno Cazares, Jr., sister-in-law Susan Parry, sister-in-law Linda Parry, and nephews David and Nicholas Ishihara. The family would like to thank all of Paul’s doctors at UCLA who helped him in his courageous fight against esophageal cancer.
