First Source
First Source Inc. is a U.S. small-business stocking distributor and manufacturer's representative of RF, microwave, lightwave, and millimeterwave components, serving defense, aerospace, and commercial RF customers from Post Falls, Idaho, since 1985.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersPost Falls, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What First Source does
First Source Inc. is a privately held manufacturer's representative and stocking distributor specializing in RF, Microwave, Lightwave, and Millimeterwave components, headquartered in Post Falls, Idaho. Founded in 1985 by Kimberly Rohde, the firm maintains a catalog of 2,595+ SKUs across 13 categories including adapters, amplifiers, attenuators, cable assemblies, connectors, couplers, DC blocks, power dividers, switches, and terminations, drawing inventory from five principal brand partners — Amphenol CDI, JFW Industries, Midwest Microwave/Cinch, RF Industries, and Wenteq Microwave Corp — with Amphenol CDI accounting for over 1,200 SKUs. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 and AS9120B aerospace quality certifications (renewed May 2023), is a nationally certified small business registered with the U.S. Department of Defense (Duns #173800087), and primarily serves defense, aerospace/space, and commercial RF/wireless end markets.
The business operates a hybrid sales model combining direct sales (toll-free and local phone lines, email), an e-commerce storefront with downloadable datasheets, and trade show presence at industry events including Satellite Show, SMD Space & Defense, Space Symposium, DesignCon, Space Tech Expo, and SCTE Cable Tec Expo. Revenue is generated via hardware sales of stocked components with volume-tiered unit pricing (e.g., $184.23 at 10 units declining to $117.58 at 250 units for one subcell telemetry part, with premium power dividers reaching $3,218.80), supplemented by blanket-order and stocking programs that support just-in-time delivery. Stock parts ship in 1–7 days ARO while non-stock items typically require 12–22 week lead times. The go-to-market emphasizes long-term partnerships over purely transactional sales, with distribution confined to the United States.
The company remains founder-led and has not disclosed external funding, M&A activity, leadership transitions, or revenue figures; its operating posture is consistent with a stable, niche-focused specialty distributor rather than a scaling enterprise.
First Source firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- First Source
- Legal name
- First Source Inc.
- Website
- https://firstsourceinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- First Source Inc. is a U.S. small-business stocking distributor and manufacturer's representative of RF, microwave, lightwave, and millimeterwave components, serving defense, aerospace, and commercial RF customers from Post Falls, Idaho, since 1985.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
First Source industry classification
Industry- Product category
- RF and Microwave Component Distribution
- NAICS
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220)
- SIC
- Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment (3663)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microwave & RF Signal Chain ICs (Mixers/Detectors/Attenuators) (HDAHAMAL)
Keywords
Where First Source is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Post Falls
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
First Source business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Component Sales: First Source generates revenue by acting as a manufacturer's representative and stocking distributor for RF, Microwave, Lightwave, and Millimeterwave components. They carry large inventories of standard and custom components to support quick turnaround requirements, blanket orders, and stocking programs for just-in-time deliveries. The company sells products directly to customers in defense, aerospace, and commercial sectors.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Volume-based tiered pricing for RF components |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Amplifier volume pricing tiers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels2 records
First Source product offering
Product offeringCore offering
First Source is a manufacturer's representative and stocking distributor specializing in RF, Microwave, Lightwave, and Millimeterwave components. The company carries an inventory of 2,595+ SKUs sourced from manufacturers such as Amphenol CDI, JFW Industries, Midwest Microwave/Cinch, RF Industries, and Wenteq Microwave Corp, supporting defense, aerospace, and commercial customers with quick-turnaround (1-7 days) orders and just-in-time stocking programs.
Product overview
First Source is a manufacturer's representative and stocking distributor specializing in RF, Microwave, Lightwave, and Millimeterwave components. The company operates a comprehensive product portfolio of 2595 components across 13 product categories including Adapters, Amplifiers, Attenuators, Cable Assemblies, Connectors, Couplers, DC Blocks, Power Dividers, Switches, Terminations, and Accessories. First Source represents multiple brand partners including Amphenol CDI (1200+ products), JFW Industries, Wenteq Microwave Corp, and RF Industries. The company carries both standard and custom components to support quick turnaround requirements as well as blanket orders and stocking programs for just-in-time deliveries. Products are offered primarily in 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm impedance configurations covering frequencies from audio through millimeterwave ranges.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- RF and Microwave Components Portfolio A catalog of 2,595 RF, Microwave, Lightwave, and Millimeterwave components spanning adapters, amplifiers, attenuators, cable assemblies, connectors, couplers, DC blocks, power dividers, switches, terminations, and accessories, sold to defense, aerospace, and commercial customers.
- Adapters RF and microwave adapters including 2.9mm, SMA, Type N, SMK, 2.4mm, BNC, and TNC interface adapters in straight, right angle, and bulkhead configurations for system interconnection.
- Amplifiers Broadband low noise amplifiers and power amplifiers covering frequency ranges from 0.1 MHz to 18 GHz with various gain levels and noise figure specifications.
- Attenuators Fixed and variable RF attenuators in 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm impedance ratings for signal level control in microwave applications.
- Cable Assemblies Pre-configured and custom RF cable assemblies with Type N, SMA, and other connector types for interconnection of RF systems and components.
- Connectors RF and microwave coaxial connectors including SMA, Type N, BNC, TNC, and specialized mil-aero connector types for system interconnection.
- Couplers RF directional couplers for signal sampling and monitoring in microwave transmission systems.
- DC Blocks DC blocking components that prevent DC voltage from passing through RF signal paths while allowing microwave energy through.
- Power Dividers RF power dividers and splitters for distributing microwave signals to multiple output paths in test and communications systems.
- Switches RF and microwave switches for signal routing between multiple paths in test equipment and communication systems.
- Terminations RF load terminations and attenuators in 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm configurations for absorbing excess signal power and preventing reflections.
- Accessories RF test and measurement accessories including bias taps, resistive couplers, RF detectors, and DC blocks in 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm configurations.
- JFW Industries Product Line Distribution of JFW Industries RF test accessories including bias taps, resistive couplers, RF detectors, DC blocks, and power dividers.
- Amphenol CDI Product Line Distribution of Amphenol CDI RF connectors, adapters, cable assemblies, couplers, and terminations for aerospace and defense applications.
- Wenteq Microwave Corp Product Line Distribution of Wenteq Microwave Corp broadband low noise amplifiers and power amplifiers including ABL0015, ABL0020, and ABL0050 series.
- RF Industries Product Line Distribution of RF Industries RF connectors and cable assemblies.
Quantifiable outcome
- Stock parts ship in 1-7 days ARO, non-stock parts typically 12-22 weeks depending on component complexity
Companies that use First Source
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
First Source technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
First Source partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- JFW IndustriescoreJFW Industries is a manufacturer of RF test accessories including bias taps, resistive couplers, RF detectors, DC blocks, and power dividers. First Source serves as their manufacturer's representative and stocking distributor, carrying over 241 JFW product SKUs in inventory.
- Amphenol CDIcoreAmphenol CDI is a major manufacturer of RF connectors, adapters, cable assemblies, couplers, and terminations. First Source distributes over 1,200 Amphenol CDI products including specialized components for defense applications.
- Midwest Microwave (Cinch)majorCinch Connectivity Solutions (Midwest Microwave) manufactures RF components including adapters, connectors, and cable assemblies. First Source carries Cinch/Midwest Microwave products as part of their broad component inventory.
- RF IndustriesmajorRF Industries produces RF connectors and cable assemblies. First Source distributes RF Industries products alongside their other component lines.
- Wenteq Microwave CorpmajorWenteq Microwave Corp manufactures broadband low noise amplifiers and other RF amplification products. First Source distributes Wenteq amplifiers including models like ABL0015, ABL0020, and ABL0050 series with over 128 product variations.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
First Source competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
First Source social profiles
Digital presenceFirst Source compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
First Source financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
First Source leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
First Source funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
First Source M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about First Source
What does First Source do?
First Source is a manufacturer's representative and stocking distributor specializing in RF, Microwave, Lightwave, and Millimeterwave components. The company carries an inventory of 2,595+ SKUs sourced from manufacturers such as Amphenol CDI, JFW Industries, Midwest Microwave/Cinch, RF Industries, and Wenteq Microwave Corp, supporting defense, aerospace, and commercial customers with quick-turnaround (1-7 days) orders and just-in-time stocking programs.
Is First Source a public or private company?
First Source is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was First Source founded?
First Source was founded in 1985.
Where is First Source based?
First Source is headquartered in Post Falls, United States, in the North America region.
How does First Source make money?
One revenue line is on record: component Sales.
Does First Source have an API?
No public API is recorded for First Source.
What industry is First Source in?
First Source's product category is RF and Microwave Component Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAMAL, Microwave & RF Signal Chain ICs (Mixers/Detectors/Attenuators). Its NAICS code is 334220 and its SIC code is 3663.