New SDR CommRadio CR-1

[W8RMV]

I went back to the dropbox site & I now see it there. But the July 31 newsletter states:
Software Update
: DSP1871 and PIC1871

Guess I'll give DSP1872 a try. Thanx for posting.
- Bob V

 

[k7ki]

1872 was there, but I don't see it any more

 

[W8RMV]

1872 came out a day after the 31st notice. That is why I missed it. I did my update on the 31st. Without another announcement, I never went back to the dropbox site. Both 1871 & 1872 are listed for some reason. - Bob V

 

[W8RMV]

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gftxkunwlog4gp7/XN5G7CfgUF

I still see it at this link. - Bob V

 

[NRD-505]

1872 was released to correct a tuning step bug for broadcast FM.

 

[kness]

New CR-1

I am curious as to what serial numbers they are up to. What is yours as you received it today? Mine is 105.

S/N 302 arrived in NJ yesterday.

In this initial post I want to thank the several members who've shared their knowledge of, and experiences with, this little beauty. It was you--not the devil--who made me do it. And those photos. Oh those photos. Pure "radio porn" that kept me warm during those (not so) cold Summer nights while I impatiently tracked the laborious journey from Michigan's UP.

Commradio the company has also impressed. Lizz Arias kept me informed of my order's progress. Unfortunately, the radio's display died within half a minute of turn-on. I left a voice message with Golden late that afternoon and got a sympathetic call from the very sweet Manith, the builder herself, very early the next morning (before 8AM her time!)

Display or no display, I still wanted to play! So I hooked up a small loop to the mini jack, hit the band button until I heard a MW station, and compared reception to my Palstar R30cc. Happily, it was not embarrassed by that well-regarded BCB DXer. But when I tried to blindly play with bandwidths the CR-1 decided I'd had enough fun for the day.

So it's back to those photos (and videos) for a couple of weeks until a working unit reaches me.

ken.

 

[W3OWL]

Received my CR-1 yesterday, serial # 0294. I need some assistance with selecting the 12.5 khz tuning step while in UHF. Can't seem to do it. Wha'ts the procedure? The manual doesn't seem clear on this. Once I accomplish this, I would like to keep the 12.5 step as the default for all UHF frequencies. Email if this would be quicker. TNX Bill

 

[W3OWL]

I also discovered another issue with the digital readout (serial #294); there is always a highlighted digit and it will never change to "un-hilighted", no matter how I configure the menu. Contacted corporate and they admit that this is a known problem and that a software guy will call me next week and assist in the installation of different software. I just received this unit yesterday, and I admit I'm not impressed so far. The manual seems pretty rudimentary and the photo inserts are blurry and almost unreadable. Sort of resembles the manual for a cheap handheld unit. Bill alpha272003@aol.com

 

[W8RMV]

Received my CR-1 yesterday, serial # 0294. I need some assistance with selecting the 12.5 khz tuning step while in UHF. Can't seem to do it. Wha'ts the procedure? The manual doesn't seem clear on this. Once I accomplish this, I would like to keep the 12.5 step as the default for all UHF frequencies. Email if this would be quicker. TNX Bill

The only filter choices I have are 15 & 25kHz. - Bob V

 

[W8RMV]

My bad. Confused filters with step size :-( - Bob V

 

[W5RST]

I also discovered another issue with the digital readout (serial #294); there is always a highlighted digit and it will never change to "un-hilighted", no matter how I configure the menu. Contacted corporate and they admit that this is a known problem and that a software guy will call me next week and assist in the installation of different software. I just received this unit yesterday, and I admit I'm not impressed so far. The manual seems pretty rudimentary and the photo inserts are blurry and almost unreadable. Sort of resembles the manual for a cheap handheld unit. Bill alpha272003@aol.com

On my unit, I press the right arrow key until the second, third and fourth digit are simultaneously highlighted. For example, if the frequency is

444.125.00 MHz

the "25.0" will be highlighted and the tuning step will be 12.5.

Hope this helps...

 

[W5RST]

Sorry, quoted the wrong message... but you figured out what I was replying to no doubt.

 

[W5RST]

I also discovered another issue with the digital readout (serial #294); there is always a highlighted digit and it will never change to "un-hilighted", no matter how I configure the menu. alpha272003@aol.com

I guess I don't understand the problem. This highlighted digit is the tuning step indicator. How is this an issue?

 

[W3OWL]

Take a look at the photo on the front cover of the your operator's guide. You will see the frequency of 7.150.00 displayed. You will notice that there are no highlighted, flashing, or boxed digits. On my unit, however, this exact frequency would have at least one digit permantly highlighted, or if I push the tuning dial once, then this digit will flash. On my unit (#0294), there is never a time when a digit isn't either highlighted, flashing, or boxed. It's impossible to just have a freqency displayed in the normal manner. W3OWL Bill

 

[W5RST]

Take a look at the photo on the front cover of the your operator's guide. You will see the frequency of 7.150.00 displayed. You will notice that there are no highlighted, flashing, or boxed digits. On my unit, however, this exact frequency would have at least one digit permantly highlighted, or if I push the tuning dial once, then this digit will flash. On my unit (#0294), there is never a time when a digit isn't either highlighted, flashing, or boxed. It's impossible to just have a freqency displayed in the normal manner. W3OWL Bill

OK, I see what you're saying. My unit is just like yours, but I have to say that for me it is a non-issue. I guess it's just a matter of taste.

73,
Mike N5JKY

 

[W5RST]

As a quick follow-up thought, I prefer it with the highlighted digit now that I think about it. I always know the tuning step.

73, Mike N5JKY

 

[MrMushroom]

Mine is also highlighted.
Check out the youtube videos you will see they all are highlighted like that .

 

[W3OWL]

This is the only digital frequency readout radio I own which continuously highlights a specifc digit. To me, it's the brightest object on the screen and is rather distracting since it never goes away. Maybe the Commradio guys can help. Otherwise, the unit will be returned for a refund. Too bad, I really wanted like this thing ! Bill

 

[W3OWL]

You would think, however, that after a certain time-out period, there would no longer be a need to highlight a digit 100% of the time. It's sort of like having a back light on a hand held unit lighted all the time with no way to turn it off.

 

[tuihill]

Hi to the group. I've been playing around with my CR-1 (SN0240 latest updates) for a week now. I think I have all of the menu functions, tuning, scanning, memory etc mastered at least on HF. I don't have any VHF or UHF antennae so will get to that later. I find the unit performs very well in all respects running of my 67.5 foot Eavesdroper SWL Sloper. Don't find the AGC an issue at these frequencies. Haven't done any comparisons to other receivers yet but this unit is convenient and simple to operate once you get the hang of it.

I read this entire thread when I got the radio but now can't seem to find the posts relating to the "Last" button and functions. Also, (probably related) I am looking for the protocol that defines where the frequency is set for each Ham or SWL Band when you land there scrolling through the bands. Can someone please point me to that page?

Cheers,
Rick