EFJohnson Technologies is a two-way radio manufacturer founded by its namesake, Edgar. F. Johnson, in Waseca, Minnesota, USA in 1923.
EFJohnson Technologies offers a wide range of equipment for law enforcement, fire fighters, EMS, and military. Products include Project 25 systems, portable/mobile two-way radios and radio encryption products.
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The company began as a mail order business, selling radio transmitting parts to amateurs and early radio broadcasters. During World War II, the company devoted 100% of production to defense needs. After the war, the company introduced its Viking line of amateur transmitters, among them, the Viking, Valiant, Ranger and Pacemaker. In the late 1960s, a thriving land-mobile radio business replaced amateur as the company's core competency, and it became known for its CB and business radio products. EF Johnson was also the creator of the Logic Trunked Radio trunking format that uses low-speed data on a system's repeaters to control the subscriber units on the system instead of using a dedicated control channel to pass data to the subscribers. LTR is comparable to the European based MPT1327.[1] EFJohnson's discontinued Viking line of amateur radio transmitter products are collected, restored, and operated by a number of vintage amateur radio enthusiasts.[2][3]
In 1995, the Project 25 standard for interoperability was endorsed by APCO, American Association of Railroads, the National Association of State Telecom Directors, the Department of Defense, National Security Agency, National Telecommunications & Information Administration, and Department of Justice. EF Johnson signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop products that comply with the agreement. EF Johnson was purchased in 1997 by software manufacturer Transcrypt International. In 2005, its headquarters moved to Irving, Texas. The company changed its name to EFJohnson Technologies in 2008. In 2010, EF Johnson Technologies, Inc. was acquired by Francisco Partners.