In the September/October 2021 issue of Wiring Harness News, we introduced you to Mark Danon, the visionary founder of Northcomm Technologies. At the time, Mark’s passion for solving complex problems and creating tailored solutions for the radio communications industry was evident. His inspiring story of transitioning from a New York City police officer to a cable producer supplying the radio communications industry was truly unique. A year and a half later, Mark’s journey is more inspiring than ever. From securing two patents for groundbreaking products to shifting his business focus in bold new directions, Mark’s story is a testament to the power of innovation and hard work. It’s well worth jumping on our website and checking out the article under our Issues tab to see how the story began.
We recently caught up with Mark to see what he’s been working on. As it turns out, he’s been busier than ever—and the results speak for themselves.
A Year of Growth and Transformation
For Mark Danon, the past 18 months have been nothing short of transformative. “I’ve just been busier now than I’ve ever been,” he said. In that time, he’s earned two patents for his revolutionary ION Series RF filter used in radio communications that he affectionately described as the “big, giant orange box.” There’s more on that specific product later, but the patents are only part of the story. Mark has also redefined how he approaches his business by diversifying his customer base and focusing on product development.
“I used to rely heavily on one or two big customers,” Mark admits, explaining how the potential loss of those key accounts had always loomed as a risk. “I started asking myself, ‘If this big fish customer disappeared, what would happen?’” That question led to a bold decision: Mark began turning down terms he deemed unsustainable, such as a major client’s insistence on 90-day payment terms. “It was scary,” he recalls, “because that was major income. But it gave me time—time to work on new products, time to talk to more customers.”
That extra time has paid off. By focusing on solving real-world problems for a broader range of clients, Mark has not only grown his business but also freed himself from the limitations imposed by a single, dominant customer. “I’ve actually gained more revenue by doing this,” he revealed. “It was a scary decision, but it’s been incredibly rewarding.”
Innovating Through Product Development
Mark’s decision to pivot toward product development wasn’t just a business move; it was a reflection of his true passion. “What I love to do is develop ideas and turn them into products,” he revealed. Over the past two years, this drive has resulted in a host of innovations, from circuit boards to high-reliability speaker panels, each designed to address specific challenges faced by his customers.
Many of these ideas were born from casual conversations. “People would come to me and say, ‘Hey, we’re doing something, and it isn’t working. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone made a product to solve this?’” Instead of brushing off these comments, he took them to heart, investing time, energy, and resources to create solutions.
One of the keys to Mark’s success has been his ability to insource work, leveraging tools and machines that many of his competitors don’t have. A prime example is his decision to purchase and learn Altium Designer software for designing printed circuit boards. “Before, I was paying engineers a lot of money to develop these for me,” he explained. “But now I can do it myself, which gives me the freedom to experiment and create without delays.”
Mark has recommitted to investing back into the business. “You know, it’s funny…I’ve only got a small police pension and a couple years ago, I decided to become a responsible adult and give some money to the financial guy. Then I watched $10,000 evaporate like mist in the Irish morning,” he lamented. “I thought, ‘wait, I’ve never lost $10,000 in my own business,’ so I took the money all back and bought more [stuff].” Mark’s investments in Northcomm have worked out much better than his brief foray into Wall Street.
This hands-on approach has allowed Mark to step into areas others might avoid. He pointed to a very recent request from Washington, D.C. “They needed a device to connect multiple Motorola radios so they could use one microphone for several radios at once, and they wanted it in time for the upcoming inauguration. No one wanted to take on the job, but I figured out how to do it.”
Mark’s “Orange Box”: A Game-Changing Innovation
One of Mark’s most significant accomplishments is the development of the aforementioned ION Series filter/duplexer for radio communication systems. This filter is designed to solve the crucial age-old problem of allowing a single antenna to handle both receiving and transmitting signals without interference. While similar products exist, Mark identified significant shortcomings in their design. “These filters are essential but expensive, and they’re a pain to work with,” he explained. “They’re hard to repair, and tuning them is a nightmare. I thought there had to be a better way.” Drawing on an older design from the 1970s, he reimagined the product with a modular, repairable approach.
Mark’s innovation didn’t stop with the mechanics. He also optimized the manufacturing process using his years of experience producing cables to creat a database of cable configurations to improve performance significantly. “By making very specific modifications to the cabling that connects the components, I was able to achieve performance numbers that are 10 to 15 times better than existing products,” he said proudly. “I’ve created a pretty comprehensive database of exactly what cable lengths lead to the best outcomes based on what frequencies the customers desire. It occurred to me that a lot of people making these products outsource their cable manufacturing. That’s a huge deal because I am able to produce a catalog of cables very quickly without having to outsource, and that improves the performance of my product.”
The response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive. One major U.S. fire department recently purchased nearly his entire inventory. “It’s been amazing to see how this product has taken off,” Mark shared. “It started as a thought exercise—‘Could I do this?’—and now it’s solving real problems for people.”
The Power of Customer Conversations
Much of Mark’s success stems from his ability to connect with customers on a deeper level. “When someone calls me and needs a cable assembly, I don’t just take the order,” he explained. “I ask questions: What’s the system? What are you trying to do? That’s when their real problems come to light.”
This approach has led to projects like a speaker panel for a premier U.S. research facility. “They wanted a simple switch, but I knew it would be a point of constant interaction,” Mark explained. By selecting a high-end locking switch that might be commonly seen in military aircraft, the likes of which would feel familiar to them, he not only met their needs but exceeded their expectations. “People loved it. They’d call me and say, ‘This switch is amazing.’ It’s such a visceral thing—it feels solid, reliable. If I worked in corporate America, I would’ve been laughed at for proposing a switch like that. And then I wouldn’t have let it go, and I would’ve lost my job,” he quipped.
For Mark, these conversations are about more than just selling a product; they’re about building trust. “I think this is why I never got hurt when I was a cop. I would try to listen to people and meet them where they were. When you take the time to really understand what someone needs, they trust you,” he advised. “And that trust leads to more opportunities.”
Lessons Learned and the Future of Northcomm
Reflecting on the past two years, Mark attributes his success to a willingness to take risks and a relentless work ethic. “I’ve never been the smartest person in the room,” he said. “But I’m willing to work harder and longer than anyone else. That’s what sets me apart.”
Mark has also learned the importance of focusing on quality and solving real problems, rather than competing on price. “I’m never the cheapest option,” he admitted. “But I can explain why my products cost more, and that explanation builds confidence.”
Looking ahead, Mark is excited to continue innovating and expanding his product line. “I started this business making cable assemblies,” he outlined. “Now I’m solving problems that no one else wants to touch. That’s what keeps it exciting.”
Mark Danon’s journey with Northcomm Technologies is a powerful reminder that innovation, hard work, and a customer-focused approach can transform a business. Whether it’s developing a groundbreaking product or simply listening to a customer’s needs, Mark proves that success is about more than just the bottom line—it’s about making a difference.
