The Spurious Challenge took sail around Sydney Harbour for its 30th year! Sponsored by RFI, Spurious Challenge is an annual sailing event for the NSW Radio Communications industry giving us a chance to rub shoulders with the industry and customers, share a few beverages and try and bring home the coveted Spurious Challenge Shield.

Congratulations to this year’s winners – Karera Communications

While we all have plenty of fun – we also gather to raise money for charity.  This year the industry dug deep and raised over $5,500 for the Salvos! Thanks to all and see you next year!

Dear RFI Valued Customer,

It is with great excitement that we advise you of some of the changes we have undertaken at RFI.
We successfully launched our new IT system (ORACLE NetSuite) on the 1^st December 2018 and as expected it has already started to have a significant and positive impact across many areas of our business – from the way we take and manage orders, to the way we ship from our distribution centre and to the way we invoice customers.

If you have not noticed any material change in doing business with us then our team has been successful in ensuring a smooth transition, as we have gone to every effort to minimise any impact. If you have experienced some disruption and issues, we sincerely apologise and promise to do better in the future.

It is prudent at this time to perhaps outline some of the changes that have occurred:

RFI takes its responsibility for Privacy & Confidentiality obligations seriously. To ensure tighter controls over customer data, one of the changes that have occurred in our system upgrade is the consolidation of our bank accounts.
Please check to see if you have received an email with these banking details. If you haven’t received an email, please contact us 1300 000 734 (1300 000 RFI) and we can arrange for this email to be sent to you.

RFI wants to ensure that the appropriate counter-parties receive the correct items & documents. Moving forward our invoices will no longer be sent with our products upon delivery -instead, all invoices and statements will only be emailed to your nominated secure email address.

Our new system means that your RFI invoices and Customer Statements will be emailed with a different format and from a different source. Please note the new email source:

“RFI Accounts Receivable (accountsreceivable@rfi.com.au)<system@sent-via.netsuite.com”

Depending on your company’s email filter setting, our email may unintentionally be forwarded to your spam/junk email box. Could you kindly check and ensure that these emails are unblocked from your spam/junk emails.

Please click the link below to view samples of our ‘new look’ documents – quotation, purchase order acknowledgment and invoice.  While the forms will look different, the content remains largely the same. Please look them over and take note of any changes that could impact your business processes.

As always, the RFI team is here to help. We greatly appreciate your ongoing support and business. If you have any feedback or if you experience any issues, please contact our Customer Experience Team at 1300 000 734 (1300 000 RFI) and they will be pleased to help you resolve any concerns.

Here at RFI we are trying to come to terms with the terrible news that Jack Grozev passed away in early January.

We are preparing for services to be held on 18^th January in Adelaide to honour Jack’s life and support his family.

Jack as our Engineering Program Manager has led both the hardware and software development of our high-end technology development team for more than ten years.  Hundreds of new, leading-edge technology products have been developed by the program teams Jack led and tens of thousands of these products have subsequently been manufactured by the team in the Adelaide facility and shipped not only locally but to global markets.  The bold, ambitious and hugely talented team in Adelaide are devastated at the loss of such a huge proponent of Australian manufacturing and advocate for excellence in their local engineering.

Get ready for the New Year with this great SolarEdge promotion! Install a Module-to-Grid Package now and you’ll get an additional smart module for FREE, enabling your customers to benefit from greater system production.

SolarEdge smart modules are the next piece of the puzzle for installers and homeowners seeking a single, trusted PV vendor. Each module is pre-assembled with a SolarEdge power optimiser, combining with a SolarEdge single-phase inverter for a quicker and easier PV installation.

Take advantage of RFI’s two Module-to-Grid Packages, featuring the simplicity of SolarEdge’s residential PV offering. Our two packages are as follows:

SolarEdge has expanded its comprehensive residential offering even further. Pre-assembled with power optimisers, the smart panels combine with SolarEdge’s award-winning inverters to enable faster and easier PV installations than before.

Want to learn more about SolarEdge Smart Modules? You can download product brochures and learn about the key features and benefits in installing these at the news article below.

Looking for a complete Wireless Technology Partner? RFI offers a diverse range of technology solutions to meet any network requirement.

RFI is excited to be exhibiting at Comms Connect Melbourne for another year on November 21-22.

RFI will also have a barista on the stand, so come and check out our connected technology and have a chat to us over a coffee!

This promises to be our largest Comms Connect ever, including product launches for:

IoT/M2M Solutions

RFI is launching a range of new IoT and M2M solutions including:

• The Universal Hub- next-generation IoT and Telemetry Solution
• Datamax LoRa- our new LoRa/LoRaWAN solution

Rebroadcast Solutions

RFI’s rebroadcast solutions offering continues to grow, with new launches including:

• DSPbR Edge
• Digital Drift- Last mile data network connectivity
• Underground Line amplifier- solution for underground radio applications

Nextivity Solutions

RFI will be launching a range of solutions from Nextivity, including:

• Cel-Fi Go Repeaters
• The innovative Cel-Fi Quatra
• Cel-Fi Remote Solution

Fibre and Wireless Telemetry

Whether it’s fibre cable or wireless telemetry, RFI can deliver the complete solution for telemetry and SCADA networks.

Join RFI Chief Technology Officer Mark Mezzapica as he runs through a technical workshop on Multicoupling.

At the completion of the workshop, ARCIA will issue an attendance certificate that will recognise the individual’s participation in an ARCIA approved workshop and can value-add to their skill set and dresume.

RFI is excited to release the YBA series of antennas,  including 2 and 4-bay 18 element Yagi arrays, in horizontal or vertical arrangements.

These new antennas cover 803-854 MHz, suiting the new 800 MHz linking band, as well as Studio to transmitter (STL links).

The design of the YBA dual and quad array antennas provides a highly directional signal, ideally suited for point to point links, either in high and medium density regions, or for long-haul links in regional areas.

The antenna also includes internal cabling providing maximum resistance to bird attack.

Alodine finishing is used to provide excellent conductivity and ensuring good earthing, whilst the aluminium build and RG142 cabling provides excellent mitigation of intermodulation IM products.

The new range features:

• All welded construction for maximum and reliable performance

• Narrow beamwidth & high front to back ratios effective in reducing interference

• DC grounding on all elements for the ultimate in lightning protection and dissipation of static noise

• All camps and bracing included

• Complies with RALI spec for STL and TFFL applications in high and medium density areas

RFI now offer the full range of Victron European designed 12 Volt or 24 Volt Battery Charger including BlueSmart range with Bluetooth. Victron Energy’s products are built to the highest performance, efficiency & reliability standards and offer 5 year warranties on all their products.

Adaptive 4-stage charge characteristic: bulk – absorption – float – storage. 2 x full rated outputs and 1 x 4 Amp output. Universal input 90-265V, 50/60Hz. The Phoenix charger features a microprocessor controlled adaptive battery management system that can be pre-set to suit different types of batteries. The adaptive feature will automatically optimise the charge process relative to the way the battery is being used.

The range spans 12V and 24V models from 16A through to 50A.

The Centaur range of battery chargers features auto-ranging input covering 90-265VAC 50/60Hz input meaning they can be used anywhere in the world.

Crucially, and unlike many other products that state universal input, the Centaur range will maintain full output power within the entire specified range. Other features include fully automatic three stage charge characteristic that ensures batteries are fully charged every time and three isolated charge outputs for multi battery configurations to suit the majority of typical installations.

The range spans 12V and 24V models from 16A through to 100A.

The Skylla-i 24V (1+1) series offering 2 isolated outputs and a second output, limited to approximately 4 A and  with a slightly lower output voltage, is intended to top up a starter battery.

The Skylla-i 24 V (3) series offers 3 full current outputs to charge 3 battery banks. The Skylla-i (3) features 3 isolated outputs. All outputs can supply the full rated output current.

All Skylla’s include an aluminium epoxy powder coated cases with drip shield and stainless steel fixings withstand the rigors of an adverse environment: heat, humidity and salt air. Circuit boards are protected with an acrylic coating for maximum corrosion resistance.

The range spans 24V models from 80A to 100A.

The Blue Smart IP22 Charger is the new professional battery charger with built-in Bluetooth. The Blue Smart IP22 Charger can be used on devices in your workshop and on motor vehicles, such as (classic) cars; motorbikes; boats and camper-vans.

The range spans 12V and 24V models from 8A to 30A.

The Blue Smart IP67 Waterproof Charger is the new professional battery charger with built-in Bluetooth. The Blue Smart IP67 Waterproof Charger can be used on devices in your workshop and on motor vehicles, such as (classic) cars; motorbikes; boats and camper-vans.

The range spans 12V and 24V models from 5A to 25A.

The Blue Smart IP65 Charger is the new professional battery charger with built-in Bluetooth. The Blue Smart IP65 Charger can be used on devices in your workshop and on motor vehicles, such as (classic) cars; motorbikes; boats and camper-vans.

The range spans 12V and 24V models from 4A to 15A.

With many different enclosures available, RFI looks at the different types available in the market including Rack Mount, Wall Box and Din Mount options.

So what are the key features and benefits of each? And how do I choose the correct type of enclosure for my application? We look at this in our news article and tech blog.

OCC Fibre Enclosures – in stock at RFI

OCC’s rack mountable sliding fibre optic enclosures support the use of both indoor and outdoor fibre cable types. Suitable for patching or housing direct termination or splicing of up to 192 fibre cores. The range has various sizes and panel arrangements and is perfectly suited for a wide range of applications.

Features:

• Available in 1RU, 2RU and 3RU sizes.
• Variety of front panel options.
• High quality, long lasting sliding mechanism.
• Fibre management, connectivity and distribution up to 192 fibres.
• Accommodates up to 8 snap-in OCC angled panels.
• Standard patch panel mounting to fit 19” rack.
• Includes mounting and cable/fibre management hardware kit.
• Rugged steel construction with durable powder coated finish in a grey colour.
• Suitable for various unterminated and pre-terminated cables.
• Rodent-resistant back panel is available.

Features:

• Available in 1RU sizes.
• Standard patch panel mounting to fit 19” rack.
• Accommodates 2 snap-in OCC angled panels.
• Fibre management, connectivity and distribution up to 48 fibres.
• Suitable for shallow racks where in-rack cable movement is problematic.
• Rugged steel construction with durable powder coated finish in a grey colour.
• Wing-back design reduces fibre stress and provides support for proper cable bends and efficient cable management.
• Includes mounting and cable/fibre management hardware kit.
• Angled left and right rear cable entry ‘wings’ for easy cable access and fixing.
• Removable lid for easy installation and access.
• Slotted rear wing for cable tie fixing, No glands required.

The OCC hinged wall box enclosure offers the installer a robust, heavy-duty premium product with a variety of features for easy direct termination or fusion splicing up to 48 fibre cores. It significantly reduces the installation time.

Features:

• Variety of adaptor panels to suit your connector type.
• Fibre management, connectivity and distribution for 12 to 48 fibres.
• Heavy-duty hinge mechanism.
• Double doors allow ease of access, one lockable door.
• Accommodates 2 snap-in OCC adaptor panels.
• Perfect for multi-cable applications.
• Multiple knock-out panels for cable routing flexibility.
• Rugged steel construction with durable powder coated finish.
• Supports a wide range of splice trays.
• Supplied with fibre management hardware kit.
• Suitable for various unterminated and pre-terminated cables.

OCC’s rack/wall mount enclosures support a wide variety of adaptor panel configurations including ST Simplex, SC Duplex, SC Simplex and LC Duplex. They are made from steel and clip into the OCC Rack Mount and Wall Box range of modular enclosures. Convenient push-pins allow easy installation and removal of adaptor plates. Blank panels are available for use as dust covers. Printed port numbering is available on request.

Features:

• 12 port angled SC simplex Panel
• 24 port angled LC duplex Panel
• 12 port angled SC duplex Panel
• 12 port angled ST simplex Panel
• Flat blank panel

OCC’s line of DIN Rail Mount Enclosures offers a rugged and versatile product line ideal for secure terminations within industrial settings. It accommodates one modular front panel making it ideal for smaller fibre count applications of up to 24 fibres. This compact enclosure makes it possible to direct terminate or fusion splice in much smaller protected areas.

Features:

• Compact size for limited space requirements.
• Supplied with cable glands, tie down point and internal fibre clips.
• Screw fit front panel accommodates SC simplex/duplex, LC duplex or ST/FC simplex Adaptors.
• Top and bottom cable entry to suit installation environment
• DIN rail clip fits any standard 35mm DIN rail
• Rugged steel construction with durable powder coated finish.
• Can be kitted, pre-loaded or factory pre-terminated.
• Splice tray attachment bracket.
• Optional internal splice tray allows for fusion splicing pigtails to an incoming loose tube cable.
• Ideal for various spliced and pre-terminated loose tube and tight buffered cables.

OCC’s Din mount enclosure supports a wide variety of adaptor front panel configurations including ST Simplex, SC Duplex, SC Simplex and LC Duplex. Printed port numbering is available on request.

OCC offers user friendly splice trays for cable management and radius control.

The modular design provides the flexibility to choose from a variety of adaptor types including ST, SC, FC and LC.