125 people. 41 countries. 53 companies. And countless conversations that could never have been put on the official program.

At RACOM, we spend our working lives developing technology that allows people and machines to communicate reliably over great distances. Yet every four years, we ask our partners and customers to do exactly the opposite: get on a plane, train or into a car and come together in one place.

Some travelled across Europe. Others crossed continents to join us in Czechia.

We wanted to make it worth the trip.

The theme of the RACOM Partner Conference 2026 was Security in Wireless Critical Communication – explored through regulation, real-world attacks, operational failures, resilience and technology.

And we deliberately looked beyond RACOM.

Cybersecurity law expert Václav Stupka tackled the rapidly changing regulatory landscape. OT security specialist Omar Morando showed how attackers think and operate inside industrial environments. Dr. Frank Stummer brought real cases of industrial disruption, while our own Martin Vystrčil showed how to securely use AI to enable next-level capabilities in our products through Scripting feature.

Together with RACOM’s own engineers and product specialists, they approached security from very different directions – from legislation and attack to product design, network operation and resilience.

There were no simple answers. Which was precisely the point.

The first conference day took place at Mělník Chateau, overlooking the confluence of the Elbe and Vltava rivers. After the talks, our guests explored the chateau, historic wine cellars, medieval underground passages, ossuary and church tower before moving to Liblice Chateau for the Gala Dinner.

There were touching moments, including a surprise cake. Unforgettable ones, like a historical fencing show. And countless conversations over coffee, wine and dinner that could never have appeared on the official programme.

The following day, smaller workshops gave participants an opportunity to go deeper into RACOM technologies, discuss individual projects and share experience from networks operating around the world.

For many guests, the program started a day earlier. During the RACOM Tour, they visited our headquarters in Nové Město na Moravě and our SMT production centre in Blansko, getting a behind-the-scenes look at how our products are developed, manufactured and tested. A small exhibition of production tools and technologies from the 1990s offered a glimpse into RACOM’s early days. And for those who wanted to make the most of their visit, we also organised dedicated product training after the conference.

Looking back, presentations, workshops and venues were only part of what made these days special.

It was seeing old friends meet again after years apart. Watching people who had never met become absorbed in conversation. Hearing experiences from completely different parts of the world – and discovering how many challenges they had in common.

Critical communication networks are built from radios, routers, software and infrastructure. But resilience also depends on people who know and trust each other when something goes wrong.

Thank you to all 125 participants from 41 countries who came to Czechia to spend these days with us.

Technology gives us remarkable ways to communicate across continents. But every once in a while, it is worth travelling those continents to sit around the same table.

Thank you for making the trip.

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of almost every industry, and RACOM is no exception. We have been using AI for several years, and today it is hard to imagine many of our activities without it. It helps us speed up development, work more efficiently and do things that would have been very difficult or extremely expensive just a few years ago. But AI also has its downsides.

Today, we use more than 25 AI models across almost all departments. We see the greatest benefits in software development and testing, where AI helps with routine coding, testing new releases and more complex development tasks. In some areas, AI now supports more than half of the work.

We also use AI for invoice processing and first-level technical support. In marketing, it helps us review texts, create different language versions, produce videos and generate voice-overs in various languages.

AI allows us to spend more time on activities where our people add the most value. People, however, remain at the heart of RACOM – we continue to actively recruit new colleagues in 2026, while personal technical support and direct contact with our customers remain a matter of course.

When using AI, we place strong emphasis on cybersecurity, protecting our intellectual property and handling data securely. Our approach also includes separate physical infrastructure and systematic security management, supported by ISO 27001 and IEC 62443-4-1 certifications.

The rapid development of AI is significantly increasing demand for electronic components used in data centres and AI infrastructure. The entire electronics industry is feeling the impact. Some components, particularly memory chips, are in short supply, with prices rising by tens of percent and lead times increasing significantly. Even confirmed orders are being cancelled or postponed by many months, sometimes by more than a year. We are seeing a similar situation with printed circuit boards.

AI is also accelerating the development of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. As a result, modern, reliable and secure communication solutions are becoming increasingly important for critical infrastructure operators. Secure data transmission in critical applications has been RACOM’s core business for many years.

The current situation reminds us of the component supply crisis in 2022 during the COVID period. The experience we gained then helps us respond proactively today.

We are significantly increasing our stocks of critical components and purchasing them well in advance. We have increased the value of key materials held in stock by approximately 50%. Even high inventory levels, however, are no absolute guarantee – a single missing component can stop production.

At the same time, we are expanding our in-house manufacturing capabilities and increasing our self-sufficiency. We are investing in new technologies and planning a facility extension at our SMT centre in Blansko. We are also adding new CNC machines to our mechanical workshop.

AI helps us speed up development, improve the quality of our products and work more efficiently. At the same time, however, it is bringing changes to the component market and creating new security challenges.

Our priority remains the same: to increase the value we deliver to our customers, ensure the availability of our products, and deliver them within reasonable lead times at fair prices.

We are doing everything we can to absorb rising costs. With our experience, forward purchasing, in-house manufacturing capabilities and, above all, the work of our people, we aim to manage these changes with minimal impact on our customers.

In June, we were surprised by a phone call from the Office of the President of the Czech Republic, asking whether President Petr Pavel could come and visit us. Of course, we said yes. At the same time, we wondered what might bring the President to visit an “insignificant company” from the Vysočina Region, especially outside his official visits to the regions of the Czech Republic.

One of the reasons is probably that we are a Czech-owned company that has been developing and manufacturing wireless data communication equipment for 35 years. Today, our products operate in more than 140 countries worldwide, predominantly in critical infrastructure – in energy, water management, transportation, and oil & gas. We still keep all our development and manufacturing in our own hands, right here in the Czech Republic, Europe.

This year, we have also entered the defence sector, where our technologies are finding applications in, among other things, communication systems for unmanned vehicles.

We are pleased that our long-standing commitment to doing things properly has attracted attention even at Prague Castle.

Source: Česká televize

The President and his wife spent the entire morning at RACOM and took a keen interest in how the company works. How we manage to attract talented people to development and manufacturing despite being based in a small town in the Vysočina Region. Why we have very low employee turnover, and how we manage to succeed in global markets while competing with much larger international companies.

The President and his delegation toured practically the entire company, taking a close look at our individual workplaces, development, manufacturing, and products.

The tour was followed by a short press briefing, during which the President answered questions from the accompanying journalists, including a crew from Czech Television.

In his answers, he highlighted the importance of companies such as RACOM for both the Czech Republic and the European Union. He was also impressed by RACOM’s story – how the enthusiasm and hard work of its founders gradually spread to other employees and helped build a successful company with a global reach.

In today’s unstable world, he stressed the importance of maintaining the greatest possible degree of self-sufficiency and independence, particularly in the technologies on which critical infrastructure and defence depend.

The President’s visit was a pleasant surprise for us, and we are genuinely delighted about it. We see it as recognition of what we do at RACOM and confirmation that long-term, dedicated work matters and does not go unnoticed.

And because RACOM is not just a brand, products, or buildings, but above all its people, our thanks go to all our employees – both those who are with us today and those who have been part of RACOM in the past. For more than 35 years, they have collectively shaped the story of the company that brought the President of the Czech Republic to the Vysočina Region this time.

This year, we reached an important milestone by securing our first project in Algeria, marking the successful outcome of more than a decade of effort. Although we had previously carried out numerous tests for several Algerian companies, none of them had resulted in a real deployment until now.

Working together with SMAR, AIRadio, Codep, and SARPI, we have now secured a project for Sonatrach, Algeria’s state-owned oil and gas company. As the country’s largest enterprise, Sonatrach is involved in the entire value chain—from oil and gas exploration and production to transportation, processing, and sales. The company has more than 150 subsidiaries and affiliated companies, employs around 200,000 people, and ranks among the most significant companies in Africa.

The project began in 2022, when we carried out the first tests with Codep. It then continued in 2023, when we hosted representatives of the Brazilian company SMAR at RACOM to test their PLC systems used by Sonatrach. Following successful trials, additional technical testing, and tender processes, we delivered the first 120 RipEX radio modems this year. They will become part of a SCADA network in southern Algeria, with additional deliveries expected after the successful commissioning of the initial deployment.

In July, we welcomed a large delegation from Algeria to RACOM headquarters. The main purpose of their visit was to carry out the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of the supplied equipment. Over several days, the customer worked closely with our engineers to verify the complete solution, including the configuration of the RipEX radio modems and compliance with all required specifications.

The FAT also gave the participants the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the configuration, operation, and management of the RipEX radio modems, ensuring they are well prepared for the field deployment. The FAT was successfully completed, the equipment was formally accepted by the customer, and it was cleared for shipment to the installation site in southern Algeria.

As always, our technical support team will continue to provide remote assistance and, whenever required, on-site support during the commissioning of the system.

In July, we manufactured the very last MR400 radio modem. It is heading to Finland, where it will be used to expand an existing network. It is remarkable to think that this product remained in production for more than 20 years.

During that time, thousands of MR400 modems were deployed around the world. Many of them are still operating continuously today, proving that quality engineering and robust design truly stand the test of time.

Ending production is a natural step. Key electronic components used in the modem are no longer available, and the product no longer meets today’s cybersecurity requirements. However, we are not leaving our customers without support. We continue to service the MR400 and, thanks to our stock of spare parts, we believe we will be able to support installed units for many years to come.

Long-term service and product support are among the values RACOM has always been committed to. We still service our very first product, the R2CW amateur radio transceiver, introduced back in 1989.

The accompanying photos also remind us that behind every long-lasting product are the people who created it. Some of the colleagues who helped bring the MR400 to life more than twenty years ago are still part of RACOM today. While they have changed a little over the years, the modem itself has remained virtually unchanged. In the meantime, they have passed on their knowledge and expertise to a new generation of colleagues, many of whom were only just starting school when the MR400 was introduced.

The MR400 is not the only example of exceptional product longevity. We are still able to supply the first generation of the RipEX radio modem, introduced in 2011, in limited quantities to expand existing networks. However, after fifteen years, this product is also gradually approaching the end of its lifecycle, while service and support remain available.

We would like to thank all our customers who have trusted the MR400 for more than two decades. Its exceptional longevity confirms our belief that reliability, long-term support, and continuity remain essential for critical infrastructure communications.

How do you stream real-time telemetry from an electric aircraft – air-to-air, air-to-ground, across 35 km distances and even while crossing the English Channel? Airbus found the answer in RipEX.

Airbus Group Innovations leads the company-wide roadmap for electric aviation. Their E-Fan demonstrator aircraft was developed to evaluate the feasibility of electric propulsion, test disruptive technologies and reduce emissions across future aircraft platforms.

To validate these concepts, Airbus needed a communication system capable of:

• Sustaining real-time, high-bandwidth telemetry
• Working both air-to-air and air-to-ground
• Operating across long distances, including open-water flights
• Using lightweight antennas suitable for electric aircraft
• Ensuring seamless handover between communication points

After rigorous evaluation, Airbus selected RipEX due to its exceptional throughput, modern RF design and proven robustness.

Airbus equipped test aircraft with compact RipEX units operating in the 400 MHz band.

Across more than 100 test flights, RipEX provided:

• Air-to-air telemetry over 35 km
• Reliable operation using only 10 cm antennas
• Stable links between the E-Fan and a support aircraft

During the record-setting English Channel crossing, Airbus extended the setup to include simultaneous air-to-ground connectivity:

• A RipEX station at the departure airport in England
• A RipEX station at the arrival airport in France
• Automatic mid-flight handover from the English to the French station

This ensured real-time telemetry was continuously delivered to two independent ground units throughout the 74 km flight.

The RipEX-based network provided:

• Seamless real-time data transmission during all flight phases
• Transparent switching between air-to-air and air-to-ground links
• High-quality telemetry despite minimal antenna size
• Full reliability across long distances and over open water

RipEX became a core communication enabler for the Airbus E-Fan research programme – demonstrating that even highly demanding aerospace applications can rely on RACOM technology.

How do you provide guaranteed high-speed last-mile and backbone services to demanding business customers – with rock-solid uptime and excellent stability? UPC chose RAy.

UPC, one of the major TV and Internet providers in the Czech Republic, needed a dependable microwave solution to extend its network where fibre was unavailable or impractical.

Their requirements were clear:

• High-capacity last-mile and backbone connectivity
• Guaranteed performance for premium B2B customers
• Reliability comparable to fibre services
• Deployment across diverse urban environments
• Stable operation in all weather conditions

To meet these expectations, UPC deployed RAy microwave links across multiple bands – 10, 17, 18 and 24 GHz.

RAy was selected for its:

• Fibre-like throughput with excellent link stability
• Full outdoor design and robust construction
• Low latency and predictable performance
• Wide frequency selection for optimal planning
• High reliability proven across more than 100 deployed links

These links form a critical part of UPC’s B2B network, supporting customers who require guaranteed SLA levels and consistent bandwidth.

UPC reports excellent experience with RAy:

• High performance under real-world load
• Exceptional stability, even in challenging conditions
• Ideal for B2B last-mile and backbone extensions
• Easy integration into existing infrastructure

According to authorised distributor VanCo.cz Ltd., RAy has become a trusted component of UPC’s network architecture – ensuring premium services for corporate clients who demand the highest levels of reliability.

How do you keep pace with growing bandwidth demands in a dense, interference-heavy city like Beirut – especially when the 5 GHz band becomes too congested to rely on? DPL found the answer in RAy 11 GHz.

Data Pro Links (DPL) is a major Lebanese ISP providing:

• Wireless backhaul for cable operators
• Last-mile business connectivity
• Portable wireless services
• Direct access to the global Internet backbone – a rarity in Lebanon

Their rapid growth pushed the limits of their 5 GHz network. The symptoms were familiar to WISPs everywhere:

• Insufficient capacity
• Unstable links
• High latency
• RF noise and interference

To meet rising demand, DPL needed a carrier-grade microwave solution that delivered higher reliability, longer link distances and improved performance under harsh Middle Eastern conditions.

After researching multiple alternatives, DPL identified microwave as the right path forward – and RAy 11 GHz as the most efficient and cost-effective choice.

Key reasons for choosing RAy 11 GHz:

• Hitless ACM maintaining maximum throughput even in fading conditions
• ATPC reducing interference footprints and improving link quality
• Outstanding receiver robustness – enabling longer links with smaller antennas
• High sensitivity and stability in extreme Middle Eastern climates
• Excellent cost–performance ratio

RAy is now used by DPL for both backhaul and last-mile links across Beirut and beyond, replacing legacy 5 GHz links with higher-capacity, lower-latency microwave.

Since deploying RAy, DPL has entered a new phase of growth:

• Higher overall network capacity
• Lower latency on all migrated routes
• Greater reach into remote regions of Lebanon
• Smaller antennas reducing installation costs
• Minimal need for support thanks to intuitive configuration and commissioning

Mr Bassel Nasr Eddine, Head of Telecommunications at DPL, states:

“The cost vs performance ratio has proved outstanding. Combined with the reliability of the equipment and the generous warranty terms, it is clear we made the right choice by selecting RACOM and RAy microwave units.”

DPL now considers RAy a core element of its strategy – enabling stable, high-quality connectivity across Lebanon.

How do you deliver real-time split-time data for a world-class ski marathon across 15 km of mountainous terrain – during a day when public mobile networks collapse under the load of thousands of spectators? For the timing specialists at On Line System, the answer was RipEX.

Spectators see split times live on big screens and TV broadcasts, but few realise the technical obstacles behind them – especially in large outdoor events such as:

• long-distance cross-country skiing
• mass running events
• cycling marathons
• orienteering
• triathlons

For Jizerská 50, part of the Visma Ski Classics series with nearly 5,000 competitors, reliable split-time transmission is essential.

Historically, On Line System relied on 3G/4G, but they increasingly suffered:

• mobile network overload due to thousands of spectators
• unreliable coverage in remote forest sections
• unpredictable delays
• occasional loss of split-time packets

A private radio network was needed – one that would operate independently of public infrastructure.

In 2018, On Line System switched to RipEX for split-time transmission.

The setup included:

• three fixed timing points on the course (unchangeable due to event logistics)
• radio links covering up to 15 km
• three hops required for one of the segments
• 25 kHz channel
• robust 4CPFSK modulation
• Flexible protocol for collision-free routing
• reliable TCP/IP transmission of 70-byte packets

To prevent overloading the network, the application queues each packet until a TCP acknowledgement is received from the central timing server.

During the race:

• all three timing locations transmitted simultaneously
• none of the timing stations could “hear” each other
• two repeaters were involved
• potential for collisions was extremely high

Yet RipEX handled:

• simultaneous multi-hop transmissions
• packet collisions
• queueing and retransmissions
• long distances and forested terrain

– all without degrading timing accuracy or throughput.

With RipEX, On Line System achieved:

• secure and stable split-time transmission
• independence from overloaded cellular networks
• real-time delivery to the event centre and TV broadcast crew
• a stress-free race day for timing operators
• a reusable radio setup for future sporting events

As Petr Blažej, owner of On Line System, said:

“We are delighted with the performance levels achieved by RipEX throughout the event. Knowing that the data was being transmitted over a secure and robust link made the whole event a more relaxing experience for us.”

RipEX now plays a key role in ensuring the timing reliability of one of Europe’s most famous long-distance ski races.