A read/write head for magnetic tapes configured with an in situ radio frequency (RF) shield is provided. The RF shield of the invention inhibits device elements reading data from reading RF radiation irradiated by other device elements writing data. The RF shield may be situated between the device elements of one module and the device elements of a second module. The dimensions and materials of the RF shield may be selected depending upon the operating frequencies of the head and skin depth of materials comprising the RF shield. The data cable may be bonded to device element pads of a module using ACF bonding. AFC bonding the cable to the module may allow a metal ground plane on the cable to be extended to provide additional RF shielding.