What PTEK does

PTEK is a legacy FM broadcast transmitter brand whose assets were acquired by CircuitWerkes, Inc. in 2021 and now operate under the CW Broadcast brand, headquartered at 111 N Vista RD, Ste 3E, Spokane Valley, Washington. The company designs and manufactures FM broadcast transmitters spanning 150W to 5kW output power, built around 14-bit Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) exciters and LDMOS power amplifier transistors that the company claims achieve 80% efficiency. Its core product line includes the Gamma medium- and high-powered transmitters (recently improved post-acquisition) and dedicated LPFM solutions for community and low-power broadcasters.

The company's go-to-market is direct sales to FM radio stations in the United States, with no third-party distribution, no publicly disclosed pricing, and a one-time hardware revenue model with no recurring component described. Customers are segmented horizontally into two primary use cases: LPFM (low-power FM) stations prioritizing affordable, quality equipment, and commercial FM stations requiring higher-power (1kW–5kW) transmitters that minimize operational cost. All products are designed, manufactured, and supported domestically in Spokane, WA, and CircuitWerkes continues to honor warranties and service legacy PTEK transmitters even as the PTEK brand is being retired.

The business is small (11–50 employees), privately held, with no disclosed funding events, partnerships, patents, awards, AI/ML capabilities, or named customers in the available data. Strategic activity since the 2021 acquisition has been limited to product improvements, brand consolidation, and continuing legacy support rather than expansion into new geographies, verticals, or pricing models.

Name

PTEK

Legal name

CircuitWerkes, Inc.

Website

https://ptekpower.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PTEK (operating as CW Broadcast, a brand of CircuitWerkes, Inc.) designs and manufactures FM broadcast transmitters from 150W to 5kW, sold directly to U.S. LPFM and commercial FM radio stations from its Spokane Valley, WA facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Spokane

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. FM Transmitter Sales: Sale of FM broadcast transmitters ranging from 150W to 5kW power output. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales with no recurring revenue component mentioned.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

PTEK (now operated under CircuitWerkes, Inc. / CW Broadcast brand) designs and manufactures radio frequency (RF) broadcast equipment, specifically FM broadcast transmitters ranging from 150W to 5kW output power. The transmitters feature 14-bit Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) exciters for sonic purity and LDMOS power amplifier transistors achieving 80% efficiency, targeting LPFM, community, and commercial FM radio stations.

Product overview

PTEK was a legacy FM broadcast transmitter manufacturer acquired by CircuitWerkes, Inc. The current product portfolio under the CW Broadcast brand includes FM transmitters ranging from 150W to 5kW, featuring DDS exciters and LDMOS power amplifiers. The Gamma transmitter line represents the medium and high-powered offerings that have been improved post-acquisition. LPFM solutions address low-power community broadcasting needs. The PTEK brand is being retired, with all support transitioning to CW Broadcast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CW Broadcast FM Transmitters FM broadcast transmitters covering the full 150W to 5kW power output range, featuring 14-bit Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) exciters for sonic purity and LDMOS power amplifier transistors achieving 80% efficiency. Designed and built in Spokane, WA, for FM radio broadcast stations and industrial RF applications.
• Gamma Transmitters Medium and high-powered FM transmitters in the Gamma product line, improved by CircuitWerkes after acquiring PTEK assets. Targeted at commercial broadcast applications requiring higher power output.
• LPFM Broadcasting Solutions Dedicated information and product solutions for Low Power FM (LPFM) radio broadcasting, aimed at community and non-commercial radio stations seeking affordable, made-in-USA FM transmitters.
• PTEK Transmitters (Legacy Support)

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% power amplifier efficiency

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Nautel: Canadian FM broadcast transmitter manufacturer with similar product breadth (low to high power), and a strong incumbent position with North American radio broadcasters. Direct competitor across LPFM and full-power segments.
• Eddystone (BTESA): Historic UK broadcast transmitter brand (now operated by BTESA) supplying FM transmitters to broadcasters globally. Direct peer in legacy FM transmission equipment with similar installed-base support dynamics.
• WorldCast Systems: Broadcast equipment manufacturer (parent of Ecreso) selling FM transmitters alongside other broadcast infrastructure. Direct competitor in FM transmitter product category with broader portfolio reach.
• OMB Sistemas Electrónicos: Spanish broadcast transmitter manufacturer active in FM transmitter markets across EMEA and LATAM. Comparable product line and customer base to CW Broadcast with a different geographic anchor.
• Broadcast Electronics (BE): Long-established FM broadcast equipment manufacturer offering transmitters and RF chains to radio broadcasters. Direct competitor in the same product category with comparable target customers.
• GatesAir: One of the largest US FM (and TV) broadcast transmitter manufacturers, offering a full power range that directly competes with CW Broadcast across commercial full-power stations. Most directly comparable on product/customer basis.
• Continental Electronics: Legacy US high-power AM/FM transmitter manufacturer with deep installed base across North American broadcasters. Comparable to CW Broadcast on product, customer base, and made-in-USA positioning.
• BW Broadcast: Smaller UK-based FM transmitter manufacturer competing in lower-power FM segments, with similar positioning to CW Broadcast on compact FM transmitter design and pricing.
• Elenos: Italian FM broadcast transmitter manufacturer with a strong international footprint in low-to-medium power FM transmitters. Direct peer on product category, though primarily outside North America.

Broad incumbents

• Rohde & Schwarz: Diversified German test-and-measurement and broadcast equipment giant whose broadcast division manufactures FM transmitters. Overlaps with PTEK/CW Broadcast in FM transmitter sales but operates across many other product lines.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PTEK