Our History

We are proud of our company heritage and the place we have earned in the Australian Wireless and Energy industries. With our humble beginnings in 1979, RFI has grown to be an industry leader.

RFI was founded in 1979 as a manufacturer of two way radio antenna systems. With our origins in manufacturing over that past 30 years, our business evolved into a leading global technology solutions company in Australia.

Our core business in that first decade was in the manufacture of mobile and base station antennas for the Australian two way radio market. We opened a manufacturing facility in Victoria, Australia, and transformed this into a state-of-the-art facility which still operates today.

It was also in the first decade that we started selling solar panels – to power remote base station antenna sites all over rural and outback Australia. Power was an absolute necessity in outback Australia. We supplied and installed remote base station radio sites all over rural and outback Australia.This started our journey into the world of solar energy.

RFI’s milestones include:

• In the late 80s we opened a dedicated export department in our Queensland Office. Today we service more than 150 countries in all seven continents.
• In 1987 RFI provides on-glass antennas to the early adopters of cellular mobile phones in Australia.
• In 1987 RFI started offering Multicoupling products in Australia.
• In 1995 RFI provides Cell extender solutions for Telstra, expanding the analogue cellular network.
• In 2000 RFI partners with BP Solar distributing solar panels across Australia.
• In 2001 the semi-automated cable stripping and saw was introduced.
• In 2003 we founded the Power Partner Dealer Network, a ground breaking first of its kind in the Australian solar industry. Today, the program has over 80 accredited solar & off-grid installers into the program.
• In 2004 the Symmetry narrow band high performance isolators were locally designed and manufactured.
• In 2005 Mobile multiband meander product was introduced.
• In 2006 we acquired Long Distance Technologies (LDT) one of Australia’s leading high-end radio repeater manufacturers headquartered in South Australia. Our SA facility features a 1,000 sqm high grade manufacturing and R&D facility.
• In 2006 the first base station meander low pim products were introduced.
• In 2006 RFI supplied telematics antennas to Aston Martin Lagonda, Toyota and GM.
• In 2007 RFI expanded its facilities in Adelaide.
• In 2008 the purpose built semi-anechoic chamber was introduced and production PIM testing was implemented.
• Also, in 2008 RFI introduced the low PIM Corporate Collinear range.
• In 2008 RFI started volume shipments of low PIM high performance Arrays, Meanders and Corporate Collinears to USA.
• In 2008 the Antenna System Monitor (ASM) was released to market out of the Adelaide facility.
• In 2010 we expanded our international operations to and opened RFI Americas in Cleveland Ohio and servicing the Americas market. This facility includes a 16,000 sq ft (1490 sqm) distribution centre.
• Also, in 2010 we opened an office in the United Kingdom to service the European and Middle Eastern markets. RFI EMEA in Oxford UK.
• In 2010 RFI released the Award winning locally designed and manufactured DSPbR repeater.
• In 2011 RFI established the Open Air Test range.
• In 2013 RFI acquired Repsys to expand its capabilities as Oceania’s premier In-Building coverage (IBC) solutions provider.
• Also, in 2013 RFI started a servitisation journey with the Staging of CFA network sites.
• In 2016 RFI was inducted in to the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame.
• In 2017 RFI moved the manufacture of VHF dipoles and yagis in house to our warehouse in Melbourne.
• In 2017 the Multicoupling and staging business expanded into new facilities.
• In 2018 the locally designed and manufactured digital drift series of products were released.
• In 2019 the Award winning locally designed and manufactured Trunking Extender (TRex) was released.
• In 2021 RFI upgraded the Tooborac antenna test range to semi-automated pattern and gain measurements.
• In 2022 RFI implemented the Robot Welding Cell.
• In 2023 RFI implemented a semi-automated test software, digitised antenna test results and MES.
• In 2024 RFI released the locally designed and manufactured product Site Vantage®.
• In 2024 RFI received the Industry Innovation Award for the locally designed and manufactured product, the Trunking Extender (TRex).