Less than a year after TEN-TEC and Alpha Amplifiers merged under the RF Concepts banner, the companies have changed hands. RKR Designs LLC of Longmont, Colorado, announced on April 2 that it has acquired the two brands’ assets from RF Concepts. RKR said it plans to expand the product line while “continuing to service their customers.” RKR Designs principals are Ken Long, N0QO, Richard Gall, and Rich Danielson. Long, with more than 20 years in the electronics and Amateur Radio industries, will be president and CEO of the new company. Gall and Danielson of QSC Systems in Longmont have been a successful contract manufacturer, for over 20 years. QSC has been building Alpha amplifiers for more than 5 years and boards for TEN-TEC since RF Concepts bought the company last year.

“QSC has always been a fantastic contract manufacturer and has the expertise and knowledge that will allow us to bring down costs, while increasing quality and reducing manufacturing times,” Long said in a media release. He has headed the Alpha Group, while Jim Wharton, NO4A, was president of the TEN-TEC Group.

RF Concepts/Alpha Amplifiers has been in business since the early 1970s. TEN-TEC, founded in 1968 as a maker of transceivers for the QRP community, has expanded its line over the years to include a range of transceivers — from basic to top-tier — receivers, tuners, amplifiers, and accessories.

RF Concepts Chairman Michael Seedman, AA6DY, commented, “I can’t think of a more capable group of people to take over the 45-year Alpha Amplifier/TEN-TEC legacy. Ken Long has been involved with the industry for years, and has a great feeling for products and operations. He has the manufacturing and engineering resources available to deliver quality products that our customers demand”.

A media release said that Long, Gall, and Danielson have worked closely together over the past several years and feel that the “closer relationship to the contract manufacturer will allow a more consistent process and delivery of quality products along with significant cost benefits.”

RKR Designs LLC is privately held, and the terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.