Exhibit 12.1 COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUMENTS, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Dollars In Thousands) (Unaudited) Year Year Year Year Year Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended 12/31/94 12/31/95 12/31/96 12/31/97 12/31/98 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Earnings (Loss) Before Taxes and Minority Interest....... $ 1,004 $ (2,498) $ 2,782 $ 6,938 $ 5,355 ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Fixed Charges: Interest Charges........... 1,189 2,172 3,139 5,243 11,835 Amortization of Financing Costs..................... 90 137 252 401 724 Environmental Interest..... -- -- 147 119 113 Estimated Interest Factor of Rental Expense......... 21 40 272 351 532 ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Total Fixed Charges.......... 1,300 2,349 3,810 6,114 13,204 ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Total Earnings Available for Fixed Charges............... $ 2,304 $ (149) $ 6,592 $13,052 $18,559 ======= ======== ======= ======= ======= Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges..................... 1.8x N/A 1.7x 2.1x 1.4x