Bird - The RF Experts

Bird Celebrates 70 Years

Solon, OH - September 2012

Innovative 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
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