Solon, OH - September 2012Innovative global supplier of RF communications products adds longevity to list of accomplishments
(SOLON, OH) – As the pioneer in radio frequency (RF) communications dating back to the ‘40s, Bird Technologies is excited to be at the forefront of yet another remarkable and enviable accomplishment: the celebration of its 70th year in business.
Founded in 1942 by J. Raymond Bird, the Bird Technologies’ name is synonymous with innovation in RF communications. With nearly 50 patents under its wings and installations in over 130 countries around the globe, Bird has continued to innovate its radio frequency products, systems, services, and educational solutions. From the historic Model 43 Thruline Directional Wattmeter, which put Bird on the RF communications map in the early 50s, to its inventive new 7020 Series Power Sensor, the Bird name stands for RF performance and expertise.
“We’ve always believed in developing and producing reliable RF communications products that stand the test of time. It’s built into every Bird product from product design through our vertically integrated manufacturing and test facilities and our accredited calibration lab. It lives up to what Mr. Bird envisioned when he first started the company”, reminisces Bird President and CEO, Mark Johnson.
In many markets, Bird’s 43 Wattmeter still remains the standard against which all other wattmeters are measured. And, with its latest acquisition of X-COM Systems, Bird continues to look forward in its pursuit of offering the very finest RF measurement and management solutions. In fact, the products and services offered by Bird have continued to expand over the past 70 years to meet the challenges of today’s complex communications systems. Positioning it to continue its rich heritage with future generations of reliable and proven Bird products. A far cry from sitting back and resting on its laurels.
“The RF market is a complex one that’s constantly evolving”, affirms Bird’s VP of Sales, Terry Grant. “And we’ve been extremely successful in identifying new ways to meet changing customer demands. We design custom products for unique applications, that’s what sets us apart from our competition, domestic and abroad”, concludes Grant.
A good example of that kind of passion is evident in Bird’s new 7020 Series Power Sensor, which addresses the market’s growing desire for an economical, accurate, plug-and-play solution to measure analog, digital and multi-carrier signals. Bird’s VP of Engineering, Michael Fetto agrees. “We saw a tremendous customer need to accurately measure the three core signal parameters, understanding that system downtime and expensive solutions were unacceptable. Our new 7020 Series combines affordability and high performance together in one unit”, confirms Fetto.
In addition to its wattmeters and power sensors, Bird’s full line of RF products include analyzers, antennas, combining systems, duplexers and triplexers, power monitors, signal boosters, tower top amplifiers and receivers, multi-couplers, and a host of RF accessories. Bird rounds out its product and service offering through its acquisition of X-COM Systems and TX RX in 2010 and 1995, respectively. These additions to the Bird family have helped broaden Bird’s appeal within the communications arena by adding RF data capture and storage products, signal generation and software analysis tools, as well as communications products and services designed specifically for the critical public safety sector.
Whether serving public safety, land mobile radio, wireless, cellular, telecom, broadcast, semiconductor, medical, military, or government, Bird has always sought to help its customers send and receive important and often times critical information quickly and reliably. It’s this commitment to high performance regardless of the market that inspired the company’s marketing tagline “You’re Heard Loud and Clear” – a statement Bird’s VP of Business Development, Tom Kuklo, takes very seriously.
“In an age where critical information literally comes at a heartbeat’s pace, our products need to be able to respond in kind, begins Kuklo. “Giving our customers the confidence that, no matter what the situation, no matter what the application, their message will be communicated accurately…that goes well beyond marketing. It actually speaks to our whole reason for being, and why we’ve outlasted many of our competitors”, concludes Kuklo.
Bird Technologies manufactures radio frequency (RF) measurement and management equipment and systems and provides educational solutions and other services. With seven locations worldwide (Solon, Ohio; Angola, New York; Reston, Virginia; Singapore; Säo Paulo, Brazil; Brottby Sweden; and Surrey, England), Bird Technologies serves broadcast, cellular, government, land mobile radio, medical, military, and semiconductor markets. Bird provides the physical infrastructure used by government agencies, public safety forces and the private sector. The company sells its products through a global network of distributors and sales representatives. For more information on Bird Technologies and/or its full line of RF communications products, call 866-695-4569, or visit www.birdrf.com.
Bird Technologies History at a Glance
2000s 2010 Bird Technologies Group acquires X-COM Systems of Reston, Virginia 2009 Industry first NFPA compliant signal booster introduced 2008 SignalHawk® spectrum analyzer and VNA product family introduced 2007 Ohio Governor's "E" Excellence in exporting award received (2nd time) 2005 Signal Booster II family of mission critical products introduced 2005 Sao Paulo, Brazil sales office founded 2004 Bird RF Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd founded 2003 Sweden sales office founded 2002 Bird Component Products facilities relocated to Solon, Ohio 2002 Ohio Governor's "E" Excellence in exporting award received 2000 Air-Cooled Load patent granted 2000 DPM Digital Power Meter family of products introduced 2000 Antenna patent granted 2000 First high accuracy RF power sensor introduced for semiconductor industry (4027A Series)
1990s 1999 Antenna Tester patent granted 1999 Site Analyzer family of products introduced 1999 BPM product family introduced for monitoring both digital and analog RF transmitters 1996 United Kingdom sales office founded near London 1996 APM-16 Wattmeter introduced – first product that measures RF power in complex modulations 1995 First public safety rated Tower Top Amplifier introduced 1995 Bird Technologies Group is formed 1995 TX RX Systems is acquired 1995 Auto back-up Tower Top Amplifier patent granted 1994 Bird Component Products established in Largo, FL 1993 Singapore sales and service office founded
1980s 1987 4421 Precision Wattmeter and 4020 Series Power Sensors introduced 1982 44210 Series Wattmeters introduced 1981 4391A Wattmeter introduced 1981 4304 Series Wattmeter introduced 1980 Vari-Notch filter patent granted 1980 Industry first Signal Booster introduced
1970s 1976 TX RX Systems is founded 1972 Presidential "E" Award received for excellence in exporting 1970 4305 Wattmeter introduced
1960s 1968 4314 Peak Reading Wattmeter introduced 1965 3127 Series Watcher Power Monitors family is introduced 1963 Bird Electronic Corporation is incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio 1962 J. Raymond Bird dies
1950s 1959 Thruline power measurement patent granted 1959 Relocated to the current location at 30303 Aurora Rd, Solon Ohio 1952 Model 43 Thruline Wattmeter introduced
1940s 1949 Coaxwitch patent granted. The first of more than 40 patents granted to J. Raymond Bird 1948 First international shipment completed (UK) beginning the tradition of global sales excellence 1943 RF Load family is introduced 1942 Bird Engineering Company founded by J. Raymond Bird
2000's
2012 Bird launches VIP System tool for measuring voltage, current and phase angles
2012 Bird launches new 7020 Series Power Sensor
2012 Bird introduces new Short- and Long-Haul Control Station Combiners
2012 Spectro-X Enhanced RF Signal Analysis Software Released
2012 Bird launches high quality 421 and 429 Series of Tower Top Amplifiers
2011 WARP introduced by X-COM Systems Brand
2011 700/800 MHz Configurable Digital Signal Booster introduced
2011 Bird introduces Digital conduction cooled loads
2010 Bird Technologies acquires X-COM Systems of Reston, Virginia
2009 Industry first NFPA compliant signal booster introduced
2008 SignalHawk® spectrum analyzer and VNA product family introduced
2007 Ohio Governor's "E" Excellence in exporting award received (2nd time)
2005 Signal Booster II family of mission critical products introduced
2005 Sao Paulo, Brazil sales office founded
2004 Bird RF Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd founded
2003 Sweden sales office founded
2002 Bird Component Products facilities relocated to Solon, Ohio
2002 Ohio Governor's "E" Excellence in exporting award received
2000 Air-Cooled Load patent granted
2000 DPM Digital Power Meter family of products introduced
2000 Antenna patent granted
2000 First high accuracy RF power sensor introduced for semiconductor industry (4027A Series)
1990's
1999 Antenna Tester patent granted
1999 Site Analyzer family of products introduced
1999 BPM product family introduced for monitoring both digital and analog RF transmitters
1996 United Kingdom sales office founded near London
1996 APM-16 Wattmeter introduced – first product that measures RF power in complex modulations
1995 First public safety rated Tower Top Amplifier introduced
1995 Bird Technologies Group is formed
1995 TX RX Systems is acquired
1995 Auto back-up Tower Top Amplifier patent granted
1994 Bird Component Products established in Largo, FL
1993 Singapore sales and service office founded
1980's
1987 4421 Precision Wattmeter and 4020 Series Power Sensors introduced
1982 4410 Series Wattmeters introduced
1981 4391A Wattmeter introduced
1981 4304 Series Wattmeter introduced
1980 Vari-Notch filter patent granted
1980 Industry first Signal Booster introduced
1970's
1976 TX RX Systems is founded
1972 Presidential "E" Award received for excellence in exporting
1970 4305 Wattmeter introduced
1960's
1968 4314 Peak Reading Wattmeter introduced
1965 3127 Series Watcher Power Monitors family is introduced
1963 Bird Electronic Corporation is incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio
1962 Founder, J. Raymond Bird dies
1950's
1959 Thruline power measurement patent granted
1952 Model 43 Thruline Wattmeter introduced
1940's
1949 Coaxwitch patent granted. The first of more than 40 patents granted to J. Raymond Bird
1948 First international shipment completed (UK) beginning the tradition of global sales excellence
1943 RF Load family is introduced
1942 Bird Engineering Company founded by J. Raymond Bird
Return to News