Sunair Electronics, LLC.

Our History

Sunair Electronics has a rich history in manufacturing and delivering top tier, High Frequency (HF) radio systems. Founded in 1956, Sunair’s first product line was HF radio systems for aircraft, a demanding application that allowed Sunair to develop its reputation for delivering to a high quality standard. As the market for general aviation aircraft radio sets declined in the 1970’s Sunair used its expertise in HF radio technology and high quality standards to develop radio systems for ground-based and shipboard applications meeting the stringent needs of global naval military customers. During the 1980’s Sunair’s business evolved from 95% airborne to 95% maritime and fixed base applications.

In the 1980’s, microwave and satellite technology developed to allow users to communicate at higher data rates but at significant costs. HF technology provided a more cost-effective medium and with new developments in Sunair’s products, customers were able to transmit data in addition to the traditional voice.

Introduction of Series 9000

Sunair introduced the 9000 Series HF radio system in 1992. Technological developments such as Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) and Automatic Link Maintenance (ALM) have improved the operator friendliness of the systems and the reliability of data transmission. Implementation of software provided the flexibility for the 9000 Series to be interoperable with other third party radio systems, an increasing demand specified in various global specifications such as MIL-STD-188-141/FED-STD-1045 and STANAG 5066.

Today's New Technology

The ALE mode provided by PATHFINDER II conforms to the requirements of U.S. MIL-STD-188-141A (FS-1045) to be interoperable with other compliant HF radio systems. A unique Automatic Link Maintenance (ALM) function is used to maintain the HF data links after link establishment under ALE. PATHFINDER II sequentially monitors the performance of the links as time passes. If the links degrade, the Workstation detects this condition then reforms the link automatically using ALE.

PATHFINDER II provides full function remote control of the Sunair 9000 Series equipment. All functions available on the front panel of the equipment, including BITE, are available from the Workstation. The status of all radio equipment is continuously monitored and available to the operator.

PATHFINDER II includes the MX-9360A Audio/Keyline Distribution Assembly which houses the audio switch matrix and up to four each of the ALE, HF data modem, and voice digitizer assemblies. This allows the connection of any of the internal assets, up to four external data or voice signals, and operator microphone to the lower and upper sideband of four radios.

The Workstation is available in rack mount and desktop configurations.

Sunair in 2000's

Sunair Electronics today has two business streams. Sunair continues to develop and manufacture HF Radio Equipment. In addition, it has developed a world class engineering group capable of designing and implementing comprehensive communication systems comprising multiple communication mediums. This engineering group developed as a result of the need for systems engineering. Today, Sunair provides engineering services to end users and prime contractors to solve complex communication problems for Command and Control Communications and Diplomatic missions.

Successful PATHFINDER II development was a result of Sunair’s core competence in the demanding field of HF technology and Sunair’s systems engineering capabilities. Today’s Pathfinder II users are military, diplomatic, air defense and surveillance missions.

Projects in this market are typically 3-5 years in development, requiring lengthy sales pursuits with Research and Development balanced on implementing new technology with foresight into customers’ future requirements. Sunair continues to carry an extensive inventory of product to fill equipment orders requiring immediate stock deliveries. Today Sunair's business is characterized by larger systems orders of varying timing, which is reflected in the company’s financial results. The design, documentation, and integration required in the systems business also means longer delivery times from receipt of order. The focused market for Sunair is approximately a US$ 200M opportunity. The PATHFINDER II system has far wider applications. The ability to provide communication networks in remote locations where landline and Line-of-Sight communications do not exist and to reduce communications costs opens the market potential up to a US$ 2Bn opportunity.

The largest opportunity for Sunair is in providing systems engineering services where there is a demand for a group to apply existing technologies to solve a specific communication requirement.

Research and development will be additional capabilities in the HF radio environment and in the application of multi-use/multi-medium communication systems. The solutions will be targeted to communication problems due to:

• Interoperability • Long distances • Remote areas • Transportability • Cost effective

Sunair’s history and expertise in radio technology and its engineering capabilities have positioned the company for profitable growth in a unique market with extensive growth opportunities in
commercial applications.