Our Beginning

Ralph's Radio Ltd. was founded in 1949. Since 1954 the company has been owned and operated by the Rurak family. Ralph's had its beginning repairing and installing AM car radios and was a pioneer in Vancouver in selling and servicing car radios for both retail consumers and car dealers.  The original location of Ralph’s was at 3316 Main Street in Vancouver (Main at 17^th).

Today

Employing over 25 employees, the company has grown significantly over the last 61 years.  From its beginning in car radio, Ralphs developed into the leader of 12 volt mobile electronic systems for passenger and heavy equipment vehicles, boats and large ships.  We complete thousand of installations each year and many large organizations rely on our expertise for their vehicle and marine fleets.

In addition to our 12 volt knowledge, our company has diversified into wireless communications which includes cellular, satellite and specialized communications products.  Ralph’s was appointed to be BC Tel Mobility’s (now TELUS) first dealer in 1985 and continues to represent TELUS products and services to this day.  In addition, Ralph’s is a distribution partner for Stratos Global Communications, the world leader in satellite communication products and services.   

Ralph’s also branched out into manufacturing specialized 12 volt and wireless communication products.  Our products include LED identification signs which are installed on large construction vehicles so that they can be easily indentified.  As well, we introduced our CareLine wireless product line.  CareLine products include wireless backup systems for telephone service and satellite transportable systems.

Ralph’s also owns MobileLine Systems Ltd., which is a service provider for satellite airtime and products.  MobileLine provides airtime for the Iridium, and Inmarsat networks including the Iridium, OpenPort, BGAN, IsatPhone, Fleet Broadband and VSAT systems. 

Ralph’s is separated into 3 business Groups: 

•  Mobile 12 volt – Car Audio Systems, Alarms, GPS tracking
•  Wireless – Cellular and Satellite voice and data devices
•  Commercial – Wireless system design, Vehicle fleet installations, LED Light systems

 

Timeline

1949				On June 1, Ralph Jevne opened Ralph's Radio & TV.  The company serviced AM radios and televisions at a 1,000 square foot store located at 3316 Main Street, Vancouver (Main and 17th Ave.).
1953				Orest Rurak joins Ralph's, becoming an equal partner.
1954				Orest Rurak purchases Ralph's Radio & TV from Ralph Jevne.
1955 - 1968				Ralph Jevne retires from the company. Orest Rurak continues to run the company concentrating on selling and servicing televisions, car and home radios. In the mid-60's, Orests' sons, Dave and Tim, join the company on a part-time basis. The company begins to sell and install car stereos, a new product starting to debut during this time.
1969				Orest Rurak leaves Ralph's and becomes a partner in Abco Imports which imported Mitsubishi car radios to North America.
1970				Dave Rurak joins Ralph's on a full-time basis.
1971				With the invention of car stereo continuing at a rapid pace, Ralph's continues to promote car stereo, growing the business at a steady rate. Moves to a 1,750 square foot store at 369 West Broadway in Vancouver. Becomes an incorporated company under the name, Ralph's Radio & TV Ltd.  Dave Rurak is the major shareholder.
1972				Tim Rurak joins Ralph's on a full-time basis.
1973				With sales increasing, Ralph's doubles its space to 3,500 square feet.
1974				Dave and Tim Rurak become equal partners in Ralph's Radio & TV Ltd. Ralph's purchases Johnson Mobile, a company which supplied and installed car radios and stereos for automobile dealerships.
1975				Start a Wholesale division to sell car radios, stereos and accessories to automobile dealerships throughout British Columbia.
1977				Purchase a 5,000 square building at 4 West 7th Ave., Vancouver to house its Wholesale division.
1980				Purchases and relocates both operations to a 13,000 square building at 220 East 1st Ave. (at Main St.), in Vancouver. Purchases Vancouver Auto Radio Sales Ltd. at 8123 Main Street, Vancouver.
1983				Begin selling and servicing two-way radios and in-vehicle mobile telephones. Vancouver Auto Radio Sales Ltd. closes and its employees and sales operations are moved into Ralph's East 1st location.
1984				Partners with the BC Telephone Company (BC Tel) to become their first partner to sell BC Tel Autotel mobile telephones.
1985				Ralph's becomes BC Tel Mobility's first cellular sales agent.
1986				Start selling MSAT satellite communications services. Open a wireless sales and services outlet in Victoria, B.C. at 766 Hillside Avenue.  Products included BC Tel (TELUS) cellular and Autotel services, Iridium and MSAT satellite services.
1989				A Commercial division is set up in Vancouver and Victoria to market wireless products and services to Government and major organizations.
1990				Becomes an equal partner in Pacific Trunking Ltd. which owns and operates a two-way radio network in Vancouver.
1994				Pacific Trunking is sold to Clearnet Communications Inc.
1995				The Victoria store is moved to a new larger location at 815 View Street.
1998				Launches a new division selling Iridium satellite communications services.
2000				Start selling and supporting AirLink cellular modems, used to link remote sites for data gathering and communications.
2002				Begin servicing and installing wireless and electronic equipment for large vehicle and ship fleets.
2004				Commences designing and installing in-building wireless coverage systems.
2005				Trevor Rurak, Dave's son, joins Ralph's.
2008				Begin designing and manufacturing high quality LED identification light boxes which are used to identify large construction vehicles used at mining sites. Tristan Rurak, Tim's son, joins Ralph's.
2010				Ralph's enters into a distribution partnership with Stratos Global Communications for Iridium and Inmarsat satellite services. Purchases the land and building its Victoria location occupies.