Historic Satellite Industry Pioneer Reunion 2007 Chaparral Communications Sponsors Spotlight Dinner Event

San Jose, CA – September 19, 2006 – For the first time this century, more than 200 leading satellite technology innovators of their time will gather at the Satellite Pioneer Reunion during the annual Satellite Expo 2007 held in April at the Atlanta Convention Center. Chaparral Communications, a leading innovator and producer of products for satellite television for the past 26 years, is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Satellite Pioneers Reunion Dinner, a historic spotlight event of the three-day conference that honors the many home satellite dish technology creators from the late 1970s through 1980s.

“Chaparral is excited to participate in this remarkable event designed to bring together the brightest and best in the satellite industry, from the originators of the past to the new innovators of the present,” said Bob Taggart, founder and CEO of San Jose-based Chaparral, which provides hardware used in commercial and residential satellite reception systems worldwide. Chaparral is a major supplier of products to Central and South America.

As an early pioneer in home dish design, Taggart and James Janky designed the first ever low-cost, mass-producible dish and receiver at Stanford University in the late 60s. Although revolutionary at the time, their innovation became the model for all home satellite TV systems in operation today.

Later in 1979, as many Silicon Valley success stories go, Taggart founded Chaparral Communications in his garage to produce satellite dishes and other receiver components for this emerging market. The following year Taylor Howard, a Stanford professor, joined the company. During the 80s, Chaparral manufactured more C-band antenna feeds than everyone else combined, creating consumer demand for the “all-Chaparral-system,” the ultimate, top of the line set-up from antenna feed to the display on the TV screen.

To chronicle the rich history and development of the small satellite TV dish, Chaparral produced a short flash video called “Satellite Industry Pioneers.” The award-winning documentary is available on www.chaparral.com.

In addition, Taggart was among 10 alumni recently awarded the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor award by West Aurora High School in Illinois for his outstanding lifetime achievements and contributions to the advancement of satellite television technologies.

The Pioneers Reunion will feature a live video conference with Arthur C. Clarke and other influential innovators, as well as surviving artifacts of their work. For more information about the Expo, visit www.SatelliteExpo2007.com.

Chaparral Communications, Inc.

Headquartered in San Jose, CA, Chaparral Communications, Inc. is Chaparral was founded in 1980 and is recognized for developing quality products, innovative designs, responsive customer service and leadership in the satellite reception system industry. Chaparral is privately held and products are manufactured in the United States, Mexico, China and Taiwan. For more information, visit www.chaparral.com or call 408.294.2900.