As the world’s largest manufacturer of electromechanical switches, Dow-Key Microwave Corporation is committed to providing unparalleled customer service, competitive pricing, on-time delivery, and products that are distinguished by quality and reliability. Founded in 1945, we are the oldest continuously operating switch manufacturer in the United States. Today, we are part of Ceramic & Microwave Products, a subsidiary of Dover Corporation. Dover is a multi-billion dollar, NYSE-traded, diversified manufacturer of a wide range of proprietary electronic components and systems.
PRODUCTS
Dow-Key offers the largest switch product line in the world with over 10,000 unique configurations. The company manufactures switches for the Commercial, Military, Wireless, and Hi-Rel Space industries with product applications in military communication systems, medical equipment, cellular, PCS, PCN, GPS, two-way and paging radio, air traffic control, test equipment, commercial airlines and satellite communications. Dow-Key's product line includes a broad range of catalog microwave switches and RF coaxial relays operating from DC to 40GHz, RF switches for customer specific applications, RF switch attenuators, waveguide switches (operating to 60 GHz), RF switch matrices and other unique switch assemblies.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Dow-Key Microwave is a world-class manufacturer with an unparalleled reputation for product quality. Indeed, our space-qualified switches have contributed to the mission success of nearly 100 satellite and launch vehicle programs since 1972. Our commitment to continuous improvement of our products and processes, along with our extensive series of internal and external assessments, ensures compliance with the AS9100 and ISO-9001:2000 standards requirements. >> Quality
ADVANCED CAPABILITIES
Dow-Key Microwave’s 36,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility includes two Class 7 clean rooms in order to support our high-reliability space and military projects. To accomplish the engineering, manufacture, and test of our products and assemblies, we invest heavily in capital equipment. This advanced equipment includes a wide array of vector network analyzers and synthesized sources, noise figure measuring equipment, passive inter-modulation (PIM) test stands, thermal/vacuum chambers, RF power sources, and shock and vibration stations for environmental screening, to name just a few.
YOUR SWITCH SOLUTION
The best in the RF switch industry, Dow-Key Microwave’s engineering team is dedicated to supporting customers through product selection, custom-designed solutions, and RF system integration. Whether your organization needs electromechanical switches, automated test equipment, or space-qualified switching arrays; our engineering team works with your specific requirements to create the optimum RF switching solution. Backed by decades of industry experience, our highly skilled technical staff is continuously improving the quality and variety of our product offering based upon customer needs as well as advances in technology. We offer customers the best value solution for their applications, on budget and on time. Since 1945, our experience is your switch solution. >> Engineering
COMPANY HISTORY
Dow-Key was originally founded in 1945 by Gordon Dow in Broomfield, Colorado. The company's first product was a telegraph keying device nicknamed "the bug", but more commonly referred to as the "Dow Key". The first coaxial relays were developed in 1952, and since that time, Dow-Key has been devoted almost exclusively to the design and manufacture of electro-mechanical coaxial relays and switches. In 1968, Dow-Key was purchased by Kilovac Corporation, a high voltage relay manufacturer, and relocated to Kilovac's Headquarters in Carpinteria, California. The company quickly became an industry leader in the manufacture of low frequency and high frequency microwave switching products.
In 1985, Dow-Key was purchased from Kilovac by a private investor who moved the company to its current location in 1988 and incorporated under the name Dow-Key Microwave. Dow-Key has continuously emphasized improvement of its capabilities and advancement of switch technology, which led to the development of Hi-Rel space qualified products in 1989. In 1993, it acquired the Hi-Rel switch line from Datron (Transco Products, Inc.).
In 1995, Dow-Key was acquired by Dover Technologies. The acquisition united the Dow-Key, K&L Microwave, and Transco switch product lines to create the largest electro-mechanical switch manufacturer in the world.
Today, Dow-Key continues to be the frontrunner and technological leader in the design and manufacture of electro-mechanical switches. Dow-Key's management and engineering teams bring innovation to the company and the industry by providing new switch components and complex switch assemblies. Recent developments include new products for Wireless, Hi-Rel Space and, switch matrix applications.
LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS
Dow-Key is located 63 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 30 miles southeast of Santa Barbara in the City of Ventura. The facility is nestled between the Los Padres Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. This oceanfront community offers miles of beaches and a sunny Mediterranean climate averaging a year-round temperature of 74 degrees and an annual rainfall of approximately 14 inches. >> MAP IT! Local Weather
