Paula Mennone-Preisner, Author at RF Industries

Focused on the Future

Paula Mennone-Preisner — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 15:57:37 +0000

Why 2023 was so important.

Learn how our initiatives and achievements in 2023 set the stage for an exciting 2024.

The new corporate logo and brand identity we unveiled in 2023 is a great place to start our look-back as the updated, modern look reflects our strategic push to enter new markets and serve more customers while never forgetting our roots. Here are just a few examples of how we’re achieving these goals.

Consolidated facilities to serve you better

With new facilities that consolidate our manufacturing, sales, R&D and logistics activities on each coast, we can serve more customers faster and better than ever:

Our new corporate headquarters in San Diego, CA, is also now home to our former C-Enterprises division
Our new facility in Parsippany, NJ, provides a hub for our East Coast activities, including our leading-edge Microlab solutions

Solutions that target more customer needs

In 2023, our divisions delivered solutions that allow us to meet a wider range of customer requirements while leveraging our core strengths. For example:

Microlab introduced two exciting new offerings:
- A line of Enterprise+ and Public Safety passive DAS components that are ideal for integrators improving wireless connectivity in buildings
- A compact line of filters that are ideal for small cell deployments and large venues
REL-TECH Electronics expanded sales to long-term customers and attracted new customers, including a company that’s using REL-TECH custom cable and wire assemblies to pioneer an alternative fuel system for fleet vehicles.
Cables Unlimited delivered high-quality OEM and custom fabrication solutions that take full advantage of the division’s long-standing expertise in cable assembly production and pave the way for an extended product range based on enhanced engineering practices.

Big successes drive strong momentum in 2024

There were many successes in 2023, including high-profile projects that showcase some of our most innovative offerings.

At Montauk Point Lighthouse in New York State, our Direct Air Cooling (DAC) environmental control system optimizes airflow while keeping salt and moisture out to help preserve this historic seaside landmark. An order for more than 200 DAC systems from a tier 1 wireless carrier implementing a nationwide shelter program confirms the critical role our DAC solutions play in environmental management.

Along the Jersey Shore, our TruField® pole-top shrouds provide resilient and futureproof concealment for small cell deployments with true RF transparency. In addition, a large neutral host provider purchased more than 400 fully integrated, mid-pole concealment shrouds for small cell sites in New York City.

We also saw significant success on the West Coast, with a large school district in California ordering more than 40,000 customized Cat6e patch cords for IT upgrades.

Overall, we’re seeing a steep increase in demand for our small cell solutions as well as renewed interest in our DAS solutions for large venues, which is one of our key strengths. Looking ahead, our energy-efficient DAC environmental control system will be an excellent choice for carriers looking to extend their green initiatives to cabinets and shelters.

“It has been a six-year journey to transform a 40-year-old business from a manufacturer and supplier of core cabling, interconnect products lines to a technology leader offering next-generation solutions across a broad array of key products for communications and industrial applications. This strategically positions RF Industries to fulfill a higher percentage of customers’ bills of material and diversify our customer base.”

Robert Dawson, RF Industries, President and CEO

Talk to our teams and learn more

If you’re attending industry events in 2024, be sure to talk to our teams. You’ll find us at NATE in February and at IWCE in March. Additionally, Dino Giordano, our VP of Engineering, is participating in a panel discussion at IWCE on Interference Mitigation for DAS and BDAs in a Crowded Spectrum. And we’ll have a booth (230 & 232) at Connect(X) in May.

In the meantime, explore our articles and case studies to discover the many ways our solutions help you tackle tough challenges.

The post Focused on the Future appeared first on RF Industries.

RF Industries Overcomes Humidity Challenges in Historic Lighthouse

Paula Mennone-Preisner — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 19:06:26 +0000

Historic Montauk Point lighthouse once again home to fresnel lens – A fully monitored environmental control system optimizes airflow, keeps salt and moisture out

As one of the oldest lighthouses in the United States, Montauk Point Lighthouse has been weathering the harsh, seaside conditions at the tip of Long Island, New York, since it was completed in 1796. Despite constant maintenance of the Lighthouse tower over the years, by 2019, increasing condensation was causing significant issues. Corrosive salt moisture was becoming trapped in the Lighthouse and collecting in the lantern room, where it then seeped downward, creating risks to the tower structure.

As restoration of the the underlying masonry issues and leaks neared completion, the possibility arose to allow the 3-1/2 order antique Fresnel lens that served the lighthouse between 1903 and 1987 to be reinstalled in the lantern room as part of a unique pilot project by the Coast Guard. Unfortunately, the off-the-shelf dehumidifier and monitoring system couldn’t deliver the reliable performance needed to adequately protect the 110.5-foot-tall Lighthouse and allow the Fresnel lens to be reinstalled.A ventilation system that had been very effectively operating at a nearby telecommunications site for several years inspired the Lighthouse maintenance team to contact the solution provider — Schrofftech, a division of RF Industries.

READ THE FULL CASE STUDY

LEARN MORE ABOUT DIRECT AIR COOLING

The post RF Industries Overcomes Humidity Challenges in Historic Lighthouse appeared first on RF Industries.

Making Sense of Indoor/Outdoor Cabling

Paula Mennone-Preisner — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 15:21:34 +0000

Cable assemblies installed in outdoor and indoor/outdoor environments must be properly selected to insure a durable, long-lasting connection. Learn below how to select a cable structure and jacket for protecting your fiber optic installation:

Where do I start?

Optical fibers require an appropriate cable structure and jacket to avoid damage due to the rigors of installation and the demands of the selected application. This is especially critical when the cabling will be subject to an outdoor environment.

Cable Jacket

The first line of protection for optical fibers is the cable jacket. Indoor/Outdoor applications involves manufacturing a jacket material constructed with the appropriate combination of moisture, mechanical, flame, chemical and UV protection for the outdoor environment, but with a proper flame rating for the indoor environment. Below are the key factors to take into account:

Cable Flame Rating Options

NEC Code	Code Description	Application
OFNP	Optical Fiber Non-conductive Plenum	Plenum
OFCP	Optical Fiber Conductive Plenum	Hybrid or Armored Plenum
OFNR	Optical Fiber Non-conductive Riser	Riser
OFCR	Optical Fiber Conductive Riser	Hybrid or Armored Riser

Flame Rating Environments

Plenum: A building space used for air distribution, such as a drop ceiling or raised floor. Cable jacket must be flame-resistant and low-smoke.

Riser: Ducts, floor shafts, or openings running vertically between one or more floors. The cable jacket is non-conductive and resistant to oxidation. Plenum rated jackets may be used in a riser space.

General Purpose: An area that is not Riser or Plenum on the same floor or space. Both Riser and Plenum rated jackets may be used in a General Purpose space.

Outside Plant (OSP): Cable jacket material designed to withstand the rigors of an outdoor environment, but without the flame rating needed to enter a building environment more than 50 feet.

Cable Structure

Another key factor is selecting a proper cable is: application. Below are some common applications which have a specialized cable structure:

Common Indoor/Outdoor Cable Applications

Campus/Building Backbone: In order to simplify fiber networks by eliminating splice points and additional fiber terminations, indoor/outdoor rated cables reduce points of failure and associated down time for a wide range of institutions including hospitals and educational facilities.

Multiple Dwelling Units (MDU): Providing Fiber to the Home (FTTH) in a building with multiple dwellings presents challenges that are addressed by specially designed indoor/outdoor cable assemblies. MDU Assemblies employ a bend-insensitive fiber, along with a robust indoor/outdoor cable jacket, for optimal flexibility and performance in a wide range of building deployments.

Small Cell and Antennas Cables: A variety of specialized cables are offered to address Wireless and DAS installations. Appropriate Indoor/Outdoor and OSP cables withstand the wide temperature range, UV radiation, and factors unique to the antenna environment. Explore our Small Cell Brochure for more details.

Common OSP Cable Applications

Aerial Cables: Deployments above ground on poles or towers, which removes the need for underground digging. Some designs are self-supported, while others employ a “messenger” wire to help support the cable’s weight between poles. The UV-resistant properties of the cable jacket are key for long term protection in such an environment.

Direct Burial: In installations with no duct structure, cabling can be buried in a trench or by using a vibration plow. A rugged, armored cable is ideal of such situations. Direct Burial cables often include corrugated steel tape, which provides an extra layer of fiber protection with excellent water-blocking capabilities.

Drop Cables: These cables provide the final link between a distribution point and the end user for FTTx applications, such as Fiber to the Home (FTTH). For such applications a drop cable will generally contain 1-12 fibers and employ dielectric strength members to provide a high crush resistance.

A properly selected Indoor/Outdoor or OSP cable assembly can reduce the cost and complexity of an installation, without sacrificing connection reliability.

Learn More

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Maximizing Thermal Management in Tower Sites

Paula Mennone-Preisner — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 18:46:32 +0000

To reduce costs & increase sustainability, tower site equipment purchases are driven by the need to increase energy efficiency.

Reducing the use of electricity at tower sites is high priority for wireless carriers these days. One way of doing this is by reducing HVAC use, which generally accounts for a good deal of the electricity use of a cell site. Reducing electricity use also helps carriers meet commitments they have made to be carbon neutral.

To lower those costs and meet sustainability goals, wireless carriers are turning to RF Industries’ (RFI) Next Generation Direct Air Cooling (DAC), a fan-based direct air cooling system that provides low maintenance, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly cooling options for equipment cabinets and shelter enclosures. It works by bringing fresh, outside air to the equipment in an energy-efficient, controlled and clean manner.

READ THE FULL CASE STUDY

LEARN MORE ABOUT DIRECT AIR COOLING

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