How do you connect dozens of pole-top circuit breakers across hills, farms, towns – and keep real-time SCADA flowing reliably over long distances? Mainpower found the answer in RipEX.

Mainpower NZ Ltd, a community-owned utility, has been distributing electricity across North Canterbury and Kaikōura for nearly a century. As a not-for-profit organisation, it reinvests in its customers – both through profit sharing and through community programmes.

Their existing 15-year-old radio network could no longer keep up. The company needed a next-generation solution capable of:

• Concurrent serial communication over multiple ports
• Maintaining maximum throughput across long UHF distances
• Reliable operation in mixed rural–urban terrain with strong multi-path effects
• Supporting DNP3 for SCADA while also handling proprietary RTU maintenance protocols

Mainpower deployed a RipEX 400 MHz radio network to link its pole-top circuit breakers and remote terminal units (RTUs).

Why RipEX fit perfectly:

• COM1 + COM2 operating concurrently for SCADA and maintenance
• High-speed 16DEQAM modulation for maximum throughput
• Robust performance in challenging terrain with multi-path propagation
• Frequency split (separate Rx/Tx channels) for optimal link stability

The system architecture centres around a single hilltop base station serving approximately 50 remote sites. A broadband RipEX RF link carries both serial channels from the SCADA HQ to the hilltop.

COM1 handles DNP3 for real-time SCADA operations.

COM2 carries transparent serial traffic for several proprietary RTU maintenance and programming protocols.

The new RipEX network delivers substantial upgrades over the previous low-speed system:

• Maximum data throughput maintained across all remote sites
• Stable communications across complex rural–urban geography
• Simultaneous handling of SCADA and maintenance traffic
• Modernised infrastructure exceeding customer expectations

RipEX has given Mainpower a robust, long-term platform – ensuring safe, reliable energy distribution for New Zealand communities for years to come.

How do you monitor water quality and wellhead conditions across remote desert sites – where temperatures exceed +50 °C and communication reliability is critical? Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) chose RipEX.

Founded in 1953, Jordan Phosphate Mines Co. (JPMC) is the world’s second-largest exporter of phosphate ore, operating three major mines across the country. As part of Jordan’s environmental sustainability requirements, JPMC needed to modernise its water-monitoring infrastructure at remote wellheads.

The company sought a communication system that could:

• Operate in harsh desert environments with extreme heat
• Provide highly reliable links over long distances
• Integrate with Siemens WinCC SCADA and S7-300 PLCs
• Use serial interfaces and simple, maintainable configurations
• Support alarm reporting for immediate fault detection

After a detailed tender process, RipEX was selected as the optimal platform for wellhead monitoring.

Key reasons for choosing RipEX:

• Proven reliability in desert environments above +50 °C
• Simple configuration and easy maintenance
• Strong RF performance even at lower data rates
• Smooth integration with Siemens SCADA and PLCs via RS232
• Flexible network design using Bridge mode

As data speed was not a limiting factor, the network was configured with 4CPFSK modulation at 20 kbps, prioritising robustness and long-distance reliability.

Two RipEX base stations now serve more than 20 remote sites, collecting telemetry on water quality, pressure and temperature. Alarm thresholds send immediate notifications to the control centre whenever values deviate from expected ranges.

This project was the first major installation delivered by PALCO, RACOM’s local partner in Jordan. With support from RACOM and straightforward configuration tools, installation and commissioning were completed smoothly.

Mr. Radwan Abu Tubbaneh, Deputy General Manager of PALCO, stated:

“The engineers did not know the product but are so delighted with the ease of installation and commissioning that they look forward to using more RipEX units when the network is scaled up and in other projects.”

Since commissioning, the RipEX network has operated seamlessly – and new orders are already being processed to expand the monitoring system across additional wellheads.

How do you monitor and control dozens of water wells scattered across extreme desert terrain – with temperatures beyond +50 °C and distances so long that repeaters are not an option? The answer: RipEX.

Although 71% of Earth is covered with water, only 2.5% is freshwater – making groundwater management increasingly vital. In Saudi Arabia, where climate conditions are harsh and arid, water wells form a crucial part of sustainable resource planning.

The integrator Abunayyan Trading was tasked with creating a communication network linking 64 remote wells to a central control centre. Key requirements included:

• Long-distance radio communication without repeaters
• 10 W output power for extended coverage
• Extreme temperature operation – often exceeding +50 °C
• High reliability for mission-critical water infrastructure
• Support for Modbus Master–Slave communication

After evaluating and field-testing multiple technologies, Abunayyan selected RipEX as the optimal radio platform.

Why RipEX was chosen:

• Proven robustness in extreme desert heat
• Strong RF performance over long distances at 10 W
• Reliable Modbus Master–Slave operation using half-duplex
• Highly intuitive configuration and management interface
• No need for repeaters thanks to excellent link budget and sensitivity

One RipEX radio at the central control room acts as Master, communicating with 64 remote Slaves using Modbus. Polling is configured in half-duplex mode, ensuring each transmission uses the full available bandwidth.

RipEX exceeded expectations on both major challenges:

• Long distances between wells
• Harsh desert climate

The network was installed and commissioned smoothly, without requiring additional support – thanks to RipEX’s intuitive web interface and straightforward configuration.

Today, RipEX ensures stable, secure and long-range telemetry for Saudi Arabia’s groundwater resources – helping protect one of the most valuable commodities in the region.

How do you build a resilient RF network for more than 10,000 power-distribution sites – in one of the world’s most interference-heavy environments? CFE chose RipEX.

The Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) is Mexico’s state-owned electric utility and one of the largest utilities in the Americas. In 2012, CFE launched a tender to modernize and standardize the radio communication backbone for its SCADA system covering the Mexico City metropolitan area.

Their slogan – “A World Class Company” – set the tone for a demanding specification that only allowed the world’s top manufacturers to participate.

CFE required a system that could:

• Operate reliably in heavy RF interference on pole-mounted equipment
• Also support underground installations
• Use two independent serial COM ports running DNP3 simultaneously
• Concentrate all data through Ethernet at the control centre
• Deliver proven long-term performance across tens of thousands of remote sites
• Ensure future scalability for Smartgrid applications

RACOM’s RipEX platform was shortlisted thanks to its global reputation for reliability – and ultimately became the only product to fully comply with CFE’s strict technical criteria.

Key reasons for selection:

• High resilience in extreme interference environments
• Two concurrent serial COM ports for dual DNP3 applications
• Advanced anti-collision radio protocol ensuring reliable communication
• High throughput with flexible serial and Ethernet architectures
• Robust mechanical design suitable for poles, cabinets and underground installations
• Availability of RipEX-HS for high-availability base stations

The RipEX-based architecture allowed CFE to unify RTU data acquisition and RTU management while maintaining secure Ethernet concentration at the dispatch centre.

The success of the first deployment led CFE to adopt RipEX far beyond Mexico City.

As of 2019:

• RipEX is used in 11 of CFE’s 16 divisions
• Over 10,000 RipEX units have been ordered
• RipEX is now embedded in CFE’s Smartgrid expansion plans
• Continuous deliveries support ongoing modernisation of legacy networks

CFE engineers value RipEX for:

• Outstanding reliability in hostile RF conditions
• Excellent performance on pole-mounted and underground sites
• High availability through RipEX-HS
• Proven ability to scale for nationwide Smartgrid upgrades

CFE’s long-term commitment is the strongest endorsement: RipEX has established itself as a best-in-class radio modemdelivering “best performance in any environment” – and a cornerstone of Mexico’s modern power-grid communication.

How do you run a country-scale power distribution network across islands, mountains, dense tropics and remote villages – all while supporting multiple SCADA protocols and long multi-hop radio routes? PLN found the answer in RipEX and M!DGE.

PLN, Indonesia’s national electricity company, has supplied power across the archipelago for more than 50 years. With geography spanning tropical rainforests, steep mountains and isolated islands, reliable SCADA communication is a significant challenge.

In Sulawesi’s Makassar district – home to more than 2 million people – PLN needed a modern, robust solution for:

• Hybrid radio–cellular communication
• Long-distance coverage requiring up to four repeating hops
• Integration of IEC101, IEC104 and DNP3 in one network
• A mix of reclosers and RTUs from multiple vendors
• High reliability in extreme heat and humidity

Working closely with RACOM’s Indonesian partner PT Surya Total Pertiwi, PLN deployed a hybrid network combining RipEX radio modems and M!DGE cellular routers.

Why RipEX was selected over competing solutions:

• Only RipEX could reach the most distant endpoints using unlimited repeaters
• Any remote station can simultaneously act as a repeater
• Outstanding robustness and RF performance in tropical terrain
• Full interoperability with IEC101, IEC104 and DNP3 via Flexible protocol
• Proven reliability at extreme temperatures – successfully field-tested at +70 °C

RipEX is used across the network for both reclosers and RTUs, while M!DGE is deployed in selected areas for recloser applications. A single SCADA system manages the entire system regardless of communication type.

A central terminal server allows seamless integration of Ethernet and serial RTUs from five different manufacturers: ABB, Nulec, Cooper, Survalent and Kwang Myung.

The hybrid RipEX + M!DGE network delivers:

• Reliable communication across long, complex radio paths
• Simultaneous multi-master applications using multiple SCADA protocols
• Flexible topology that supports future expansion across Indonesia
• Robust performance under high humidity and extreme temperatures

During Phase 1 in 2016, 66 RipEX units and 3 RipEX-HS base stations were installed. The full project is expected to exceed 500 sites.

Mr. Irwinho Harlim, CEO of PT Surya Total Pertiwi:
“This tender is one of many where we succeed thanks to RipEX. PLN has been using RipEX for years with excellent results. Both PLN and our company truly appreciate RACOM’s pre-sales and post-sales support.“

How do you maintain service quality when the 5 GHz band becomes saturated – and business customers expect higher SLAs than ever? ZNET Telekom turned to RAy24.

Founded in 2002, ZNET Telekom has grown into Hungary’s largest wireless ISP. While their roots lie in residential connectivity, the company is now rapidly expanding its B2B services. Commercial clients demand higher reliability, lower latency and consistent performance – pushing ZNET to rethink its network strategy.

Like many WISPs worldwide, ZNET faced the growing problem of 5 GHz band saturation, resulting in:

• Reduced capacity
• Unstable links
• Higher latency
• Inconsistent customer experience

To continue scaling – especially for business customers – ZNET needed a reliable microwave solution that would outperform 5 GHz links and remain easy to deploy and manage.

After evaluating several microwave platforms, ZNET selected RAy 24 GHz for both new deployments and migration from 5 GHz.

Key reasons behind the choice:

• Very low power consumption
• High resilience in dense urban and rural environments
• Best-in-class management software
• Long warranty and lifecycle stability
• Identical hardware for upper and lower units – simplifying logistics and maintenance
• Excellent cost–performance ratio

ZNET is deploying RAy 24 GHz unlicensed links:

• Up to 5 km with 68 cm antennas
• Up to 10 km with 90 cm antennas

The installations have been smooth with zero issues during setup or commissioning.

ZNET’s experience with RAy 24 GHz has been overwhelmingly positive:

• Consistent performance even at long distances
• Easy network management and straightforward deployment
• Improved customer satisfaction thanks to more stable links
• A platform ready for future growth and licensed RAy variants

RAy solutions have become an integral part of ZNET Telekom’s success – delivering strong value to customers every single day.

Since 1991, we have been providing secure communications for the sectors modern society depends on: energy, water management, gas distribution, and ISP networks.

In 2026, we are extending this mission into a new domain – delivering advanced communication systems to those who protect us all. We bring into the defence industry the same qualities for which we are valued in critical infrastructure: 30 years of expertise, in-house development and manufacturing in Czechia, reliability, security, dedicated support…

Technical excellence has always been our hallmark, and our products consistently deliver more than is required for standard use. Even though we meet the strictest demands of critical infrastructure, we know there is room to go further. If we are to continue pushing the boundaries of our technology and advancing our capabilities and knowledge, we must measure ourselves against the highest standards – and those are set by the defence sector.

“Our goal has never been to make more products, but to make better products. The defence sector is an environment that naturally pushes us in that direction.” says Marek Bobula, RACOM Technical Director

Our devices operate reliably in more than 130 countries, placing us among the world’s leading communication technology providers. All development and manufacturing is carried out in-house in the Czech Republic, Europe.

Our team includes experts in RF engineering, FPGA design, duplexer and RF filter development, operating system engineering, and graphical user interface design.
We operate our own climate chambers and anechoic chamber, an SMT centre for PCB assembly, and a modern mechanical production facility including precision CNC machining.

This allows us to maintain complete control over every detail and to exceed what is considered standard in our industry.

Our first contact with the defence community emerged naturally. Specialists working in robotics and unmanned systems noticed our radio modems for their reliability and high performance.

In 2019, we participated in the Orpheus project at Brno University of Technology, where the RipEX2 ensured data transmission for a robotic vehicle designed for hazardous-area reconnaissance. It became clear, however, that a standard RipEX was not ideal for such missions – the size and weight posed limitations. This inspired the idea of developing a specialised radio module for mobile and unmanned applications.

Geopolitical developments and the war in Ukraine in 2024 accelerated our decision to enter the defence sector fully. We began active cooperation with system integrators and joined the defence community becoming members of the ULAR group, attending at IDET, participating in the government’s PRODEF programme, and joining missions to Ukraine and the USA. Our equipment was tested during the allied CWIX 25 exercise, and we are preparing for the Silent Swarm 2026 exercise in the United States.

The result of this journey is the launch of a new product line of embedded data radios. The first device in this line is WaSP – a compact, software-defined radio modem designed for demanding applications. It is primarily intended for data communication with unmanned systems (UAVs and UGVs), but it is equally suited for any application requiring reliable connectivity in harsh environments.

In WaSP, we have embedded what has always driven us – top-tier technical performance, precision, reliability, and a passion for innovation.

“Defence is a natural continuation of our story.  It is not a change of direction, but an expansion of our mission: to ensure communication where failure is not an option.” says Vít Koutenský, RACOM Executive Director

The year 2025 was an exceptionally successful one for RACOM. Our revenues increased by 30% year on year compared to 2024, with more than 85% of manufactured equipment exported to 60 countries worldwide. These results clearly reflect our long-term strategy, the technological quality of our solutions, and above all the excellent work of the entire RACOM team.

Our sincere thanks go to all employees who contributed to this achievement. Their expertise, commitment, and teamwork were key to the successful delivery of projects around the world. At the same time, 2025 once again confirmed RACOM’s position as a global leader in reliable communication technologies for mission-critical applications.

In recent years, many forecasts have predicted a decline in the radio modem market, with this technology expected to be largely replaced by cellular routers. For RACOM, however, the opposite proved true. The radio modem segment recorded its strongest growth in recent years, with sales exceeding 2024 figures by more than 50%.

Of the three product segments in which RACOM operates, the cellular router market is growing at the fastest pace, and it is also the most competitive. Despite our focus on a highly specialized segment serving mission-critical applications, we achieved year-on-year growth of nearly 20% in this area as well. A notable success was the deployment of M!DGE cellular routers for emergency services in Romania, where we secured a contract for more than 1,000 units.

The global microwave link market in which RACOM operates has been largely stagnating in recent years. This is mainly due to the modernization of mobile operators’ backbone networks for 5G, during which existing links are dismantled and subsequently reused for high-speed last-mile connections, as well as the continued expansion of fiber-optic networks. Despite these factors, we achieved growth of approximately 5% in the microwave link segment.

In January, our sales team traditionally met with company management to review the results of 2025 and discuss the outlook for 2026. These discussions confirmed that the outlook for 2026 is optimistic, with expectations of achieving results comparable to those of 2025.

Thanks to the strong team we have at RACOM, we look forward to delivering many more exciting projects in the year ahead.

Official part

We managed to go for a run

…and even ice swimming

and attend a hockey game

As in previous year, we gathered once again at Medlov to celebrate the end of the year together at our Christmas party. This time, however, we traveled back in time — the evening was inspired by the spirit of the 1930s, full of elegance, style, and a refined atmosphere.

Stylish costumes, period decorations, and a great atmosphere created the perfect setting for a pleasant get-together, shared experiences, and moments beyond the working environment. The party was not only a celebration of a very successful past year, but also an opportunity to thank all colleagues for their cooperation, dedication, and team spirit.

The entire evening once again confirmed that RACOM is not only about technology, but above all about people who form one team and truly know how to enjoy time together.

You can relive the atmosphere of the party in the photo gallery, which captures the best moments of the evening. You really should take a look!