About the Company
RFT (short for Rundfunk‑ und Fernmelde‑Technik — literally “Broadcast and Telecommunications Technology”) was a unified brand mark used in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from the late 1950s through the 1970s on a wide range of consumer electronics, including reel‑to‑reel tape recorders. It wasn’t a single company in the traditional Western sense, but a state‑owned equipment brand under which various VEB (Volkseigener Betrieb, “publicly owned operation”) factories produced electronics.
The RFT label covered gear ranging from radios and televisions to tape decks made for domestic use and institutional recording.
Historical Context
Brand Origins (1950s)
RFT as a trademark was registered in 1957 in the GDR and became the umbrella brand for many East German electronics products.
Under RFT, consumer tape recorders began to appear as magnetic tape technology became widespread and affordable for households across Europe, including the Eastern Bloc.
1960s – Early Reel‑to‑Reel Models
Early RFT tape recorders were typically tube‑based (vacuum‑tube) units often produced at factories like Messgerätewerk Zwönitz or Fernmeldewerk Leipzig. Some models were designed for general home use, and others served educational or small institutional needs.
Later in the decade, solid‑state electronics began replacing tubes in some models, reflecting broader trends in audio and consumer electronics.
1970s – Phase‑Out of Open Reel
By the 1970s, the global consumer market was shifting toward compact cassette recorders and hi‑fi systems. RFT continued to make audio equipment, including cassette recorders, but open‑reel tape recorder production declined as formats changed.
Representative RFT Reel‑to‑Reel Models
Here are some documented RFT reel recorder examples — typical of how the brand was applied:
RFT BG 4
Era: c. 1959–1961
Electronics: Tube circuitry
Track: Full‑track mono (½ Rec/PB)
Tape Speeds: 3¾, 7½ ips
Reel Size: 7″
Heads: 3 heads for erase, record, playback
Use: Portable/home consumer deck
RFT Smaragd BG 20‑5
Era: c. 1959–1963
Electronics: Tube design
Speed: 7½ ips
Reel Size: 7″
Application: Portable tape recorder with basic features
RFT BG 26
Era: Early 1960s onwards
Electronics: Solid‑state (transistor)
Track: Mono half‑track
Speeds: 1⅞ and 3¾ ips
Reel Size: 5″ — smaller, consumer‑oriented deck
Features: DIN connector outputs; dual‑voltage versions existed
VEB RFT BG 22
Era: 1964–1967
Electronics: Solid‑state
Track: Half‑track mono
Speed: 1⅞ ips
Application: Consumer and possibly institutional use; heavier construction typical of RFT gear
Technology & Market Position
State‑owned & Unified Branding
Unlike Western companies where individual firms designed and marketed their products, RFT served as a common brand across multiple GDR factories producing radios, TVs, and tape recorders.
Engineering
Early models were valve (tube) based, like many 1950s reels elsewhere, offering basic mono or dual‑speed features.
Later models adopted solid‑state electronics with more compact form factors and efficiency.
RFT decks were generally functional and robust but not held in the same technical esteem as consumer hi‑fi West German or Japanese brands.
Formats & Specifications
Typical RFT reel recorders covered:
Reel sizes: Mostly 5″ and 7″ for consumer home use
Tape speeds: 1⅞, 3¾, 7½ ips — balanced between fidelity and tape runtime
Head layouts: 2–3 head designs depending on model
Voltages: European mains standards (220–240 V)
Decline & Legacy
With the rise of cassette recorders in the 1970s, demand for open‑reel tape decks fell sharply worldwide — and within the GDR as well.
RFT continued to produce various audio devices under the same brand, but reel‑to‑reel production tapered off.
Today, RFT reel tape recorders are collectible as examples of Eastern Bloc audio technology — valued for historical interest rather than audiophile performance.