Radio Frequency Systems

Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) is a global designer and manufacturer of cable, antenna and tower systems, plus active and passive RF conditioning modules, providing total-package solutions for wireless infrastructure.

The company has over 1,800 employees worldwide, operates 7 factories (USA, Brazil, France, Germany, United Kingdom, China and Australia) and R&D centers in 5 countries (USA, France, Germany, China and Australia).

The company was founded in Hannover, Germany, in 1901 by under the name of , a German engineer who invented the first insulated wire. in 1951, Hackethal-Hannover developed the world's first RF power cable with corrugated coaxial transmission lines. After its merger in 1966 with , the company took the name of (Kabelmetal). It became particularly known for the marketing and sale of corrugated cable.

American Tube Bending Co. (ATB) was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, in 1910. Specialist in custom tube bending, ATB Co. built the engine manifold for Lindberg's "Spirit of Saint Louis". In 1933, James Lawrence Bernard Jr., student of Guglielmo Marconi, founded the Communication Product Company (CPC) in New Jersey, USA which later took the name of Celwave. During the 2nd world war, the company started production of antennas for warships. Phelps Dodge, a producer of bulk coaxial cables successively acquired the ATB in 1959 and CPC in 1962. The company renamed itself to Phelps Dodge Communications Company.

In 1973, Kabelmetal and Phelps Dodge Communications merge operations to cover North America, creating Cablewave Systems in North Haven, CT, USA. In 1975, Phelps Dodge sells its shares of Cablewave Systems and Cable Systems acquires Scientific Atlanta's microwave business. In 1976, Kabelmetal and the Italian Pirelli Cables joined in Brazil to form a new company, KMP Cabos Especiais e Sistemas Ltda (KMP Special Cables and Systems) in Embu-São Paulo. KMP soon became one of the main Brazilian suppliers with strong recognition in the marketplace as synonym of quality. In 1980, Phelps Dodge acquires RJ Communications Products, Inc. a prominent manufacturer of combiners and multicouplers, and HMP Antennafabrik, a Danish manufacturer or antenna system products. In 1982, Kabelmetal electro GmbH is acquired by Câbles de Lyon, which was a subsidiary of CGE (Compagnie Générale d’Electricité and future Alcatel)

1983 is the birth of Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) within Kabelmetal. RFS in Germany, Brazil and France, Celwave R.F. and Cablewave in the USA, form a global entity to serve the world market called the RFS Group. In parallel, Câble de Lyon, a subsidiary of CGE (Companie Générale d'Electricité) acquires Kabelmetal and becomes the new legal owner of RFS.

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