Smart looking new receiver

[K5TED]

Looks like the guy, even handicapped by holding only a General Class Amateur Radio license  , has some achievements of note in the realm of commercial radio products.

I only found what he posted about himself on his two sites and even that wasn't much. Noteworthy was what wasn't posted, such as his educational background and where he has worked since becoming a ham decades ago.

What "achievements of note" are you referring to?

Not that government spending is any proof of noteworthiness on the part of the vendor, but he seems to be doing OK..


Aerostream Communications Activity


Total Value of Purchase Orders

$524,405

Largest Purchase Order

$499,505

Total Purchase Orders

4

Largest Government Customer

Department of Defense: Department of the Navy

Aerostream Communications Recent Awards


Department of Defense: Department of the Navy


 on 7/6/2009

Extend period of performance. Contracting Office: SPAWAR SYSTEMS CENTER ATLANTIC Solicitation ID: N6523608R0207
More Details

Department of Defense: Department of the Navy


$24,900 on 3/12/2009

TECH SUPPORT: HHX SOFTWARE LIBRARY Contracting Office: SPAWAR SYSTEMS CENTER ATLANTIC
More Details

Department of Defense: Department of the Navy


 on 12/23/2008

Add GFE. Contracting Office: SPAWAR SYSTEMS CENTER ATLANTIC Solicitation ID: N6523608R0207
More Details

Department of Defense: Department of the Navy


$499,505 on 9/20/2008

JOINT THREAT WARNING SYSTEM Contracting Office: SPAWAR SYSTEMS CENTER ATLANTIC Solicitation ID: N6523608R0207


Mr. Moore seems to have some background with SDR tech..

"Don Moore is president of AeroStream Communications, an SDR specialist. During the 1990s his company, NavRadio, developed VDL-2 technology and demonstrated transmission of graphical weather imagery in the NASA AGATE and AWIN programs."  http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/issue/columns/perspectives/Perspectives-Software-Radio-The-Bright-Side_701.html


Seems he studied at Michigan Technological University back in the late 60's.


Mr. Moore seems to have had government grants for research and development going back several years. A quick search turns up many projects, such as: H92222-05-C-0032




I have to ask though, why such a contemptuous attitude towards Mr. Moore?



And, I wonder what this is about? :


Posted by: PBPP

Looks like junk to me.... just like his previous offerings.

~ Mitch ~

Which previous offerings?

Just wondering....

[K5TED]

The CR-1 specs are really buried in that website:
---------------------------------------------
"Product Information

Introducing the New CR-1 Communications Receiver

The CR-1 is a small, low-power, ruggedly constructed radio receiver that is finding a niche in the world of SWL’s (short wave listeners) and amateur radio enthusiasts alike.

The CR-1 is a new Software Defined Radio (SDR) from the designers of miniature wideband signal intelligence receivers, developed for special-operations units, and rugged business-jet data-link transceivers.

The CR-1 SDR is independent of a host PC, using embedded digital signal processing technology providing a degree of portability  and performance previously unavailable  to the radio enthusiast.

As one potential customer noted: “It’s an SDR with knobs, keys, and a display!”

Frequency Coverage and Modes:

MW-HF: General Coverage: 500 kHz - 30.000 MHz

    User Configurable Band Key:
        Amateur Band Selections: 160 m – 10 m
        International Broadcast Bands 120 m – 11m
    AM-SSB-CW  auto-mode-selection (based on tuned frequency) with user-override.
    International Broadcasting: auto-select  AM - 5 kHz steps - cursor override
    Auto-Filter Width select with override: AM: 6 and 7.5 kHz kHz/SSB: 2.6 kHz/CW: 1 kHz
    Tuning Resolution (cursor control): 1 MHz  / 100 -10 - 1 kHz  / 100  - 10 Hz

VHF-UHF General Frequency Coverage:

    VHF: Continuous Coverage:  64.0  - 225.0 MHz
    UHF: Continuous Coverage: 437.0 – 468.0 MHz
    Automatic standard frequency steps for each band
    Cursor Controlled (override) Tuning Resolution : 1 MHz / 100 - 10 - 1 kHz

VHF-UHF Band Plan:

    Aircraft Band: 108.000 - 136.975 MHz, AM auto-select -25 kHz channel steps
    Amateur: 2 m, 1.25 m, 70 cm (upper portion starting @ 437.0 MHz); with user selectable standard frequency steps.  NBFM mode default with SSB-CW mode selects.
        Note 6 m (54 MHz) is not available.
    Marine & NOAA Weather Radio
    Public Service: 137.0 - 225.0: 12.5 and 25 kHz steps. NBFM default.
    FRS-GMRS 462 – 467 MHz , NBFM - 25 kHz Steps

Receiver Architecture

    HF: Dual conversion (VHF-UHF: single conversion) with low-IF , I-Q digital sampling, 32-bit DSP with digital audio CODEC

    DSP demodulation algorithms: DSB-AM, SSB, CW, WBFM, NBFM

    DSP scalable, fixed bandwidth channel filtering

Audio System –  (Digital CODEC)

    Speaker Driver: 0.8 W into 8 Ohm load
    Internal 2.5” diameter, Mylar communications grade speaker
    External monaural speaker jack (3.5 mm stereo jack - back panel)
    Headset Driver: 40 mW into 16 Ohms. (3.5 mm stereo jack - front panel)

Antenna Inputs

    MW-HF Port: 1000 Ohm – 3.5 mm jack (auto-detection)
    MW-HF Port: 50 Ohm – BNC (female)
    VHF-UHF Port: 50 Ohm – BNC (female)

Display

    64 x 128 OLED Display with EMI-filtered lens
    Readable outdoors  and manually dimmable

Power Inputs

    USB and 6-18 VDC – 2.1 mm diameter center pin (positive) jack

Power Consumption

    < 1.0 Watt

USB

    Mini-B –USB 2.0 Jack (powered):  Downloadable software updates from CommRadio Website

Mechanical

    Overall Size: 5.64” W x 2.43” H x 6.10” D (including knobs, jacks , feet)
    Weight: 1 lb – 12 oz
    Knobs: Machined Aluminum – Black Anodized
    Front Panel: Machined Aluminum – Powder Coated – Black semi-gloss
    Case: 20 Gauge Steel, Powder Coated – Black Crackle.

ESD Protection:  ESD Diodes: Antenna ports - Power Jacks - USB Port-Keys – Knobs

Hardware Design Limitations:

    The CR-1 is not controllable over USB by CommRadio or third-party software at this time.
    I-Q analog and/or digital IF signals are not ported to the rear-panel or accessible or at a standard sound-card sampling rate.
    Both of these options may be added, provided demonstrated interest

Software Demodulators Not embedded in the CR-1 at this time:

    Mono or Stereo FM broadcast Demodulator
    P25 or Trunk Radio
    D-STAR
    DRM

Always Free: Planned Software Upgrades:

    SW revisions and upgrades (improvements)
    FM broadcast demodulator (US and International)
    European Band Plans:  MW- 9 KHz Frequency Steps

Potential New Software Applications (provided free if they occur, but not guaranteed to all new customers in 2013):

    Spectral Display (across individual bands) – fast detect of band openings
    CW reader ported to display and over USB
    PSK-31 decoder ported to display and over USB.
    Tell us what you want.

Origin & Warranty

    Designed and manufactured in USA
    Limited 1 year warranty on parts – labor – workmanship

Warranty"

It takes exactly two clicks to get from the main site to the specs. How exactly is that "buried"?

[K0OD]

Beyond bizarre. The costly CR-1 is now for sale online. Potential buyers are begging for additional  performance specs or at least a comparison with a recognized high performance receiver (and not that handheld thingie with a BNC whip) and this photo is what Moore's buddy provides:

http://forums.radioreference.com/attachments/software-defined-radio/40432d1361411800-new-sdr-commradio-cr-1-frostyradio.jpg

[K0OD]

Here we go:

http://www.mtu.edu/alumni/notables/profiles/Donald-Moore.html

[K5TED]

Here we go:

http://www.mtu.edu/alumni/notables/profiles/Donald-Moore.html

Nice.. Looks like he's absolutely unqualified to program a remote 

Ok, so.. IMO

Like:

Commradio is very upfront about what might be perceived as "limitations" of the radio.

Form factor

Concept

Would like to see:

DRM decoding.

Continuously variable filter width from 1-50kHz on HF, 1-230kHz VHF/UHF

Panoramic filter status display and/or Panadaptor funtion

IF port on rear panel, OR...

USB I/Q port on rear panel


Wondering:

Why no 30-50MHz?

Why no carry case? Even nylon would be nice.



The radio is intriguing, and I'd certainly like to own one, but this product is one that I will likely have to see in person before plunking down $500. It's not about the money, but the value when compared to or just in a fleet with other options I presently own. Would I really use it much? Sure! what a great mobile device. It would sit right up on the dash, no problem, replacing my PCR-1500 and remote head.

Based on Mr. Moore's credentials and the pictures provided, I'd expect the CR-1 to be a fine, solid piece of gear.

Now.. On the other hand...

If it had DRM decoding standard and an I/Q port, right now, SOLD!

[K0OD]

Why don't you just phone them (him?) and ask your questions? 303-279-3671

That would also give some idea about customer service.

[K5TED]

True. I emailed commradio yesterday about availability and got a reply back in about 15 minutes. Ships 2 weeks after order.

[K0OD]

"True. I emailed commradio yesterday about availability and got a reply back in about 15 minutes. Ships 2 weeks after order."

Yet http://www.commradio.com/cr-1-communications-receiver/ says (in red font): "Shipping February 22nd, 2013 for new orders."

Was that fast email reply just an autoresponder? What did you learn from it about the questions you've asked?

[K5TED]

"True. I emailed commradio yesterday about availability and got a reply back in about 15 minutes. Ships 2 weeks after order."

Yet http://www.commradio.com/cr-1-communications-receiver/ says (in red font): "Shipping February 22nd, 2013 for new orders."

Was that fast email reply just an autoresponder? What did you learn from it about the questions you've asked?

I only asked if the radio was in stock, and received a direct reply from Don, it seemed. As for the shipping date stated on the website, one might presume that there have been orders placed over the past few weeks, and that those will be fulfilled on the 22nd, with subsequent orders to be fulfilled within two weeks of placing a new order.

I'll wait til someone posts a review of the production radio before making my final decision.


 



 

[K5TED]

Looks like junk to me.... just like his previous offerings.

~ Mitch ~

Still wondering what this comment is referring to. What exactly has Mr. Moore offered in the past?

[PBPP]

Looks like junk to me.... just like his previous offerings.

~ Mitch ~

Still wondering what this comment is referring to. What exactly has Mr. Moore offered in the past?

My bad.  I had this seller confused with http://www.countycomm.com/gp4light.html

~ Mitch ~

[K0OD]

While Commradio.com still says in red that shipping starts on February 22 for new orders, there has been a small delay:
http://forums.radioreference.com/software-defined-radio/256366-new-sdr-commradio-cr-1-a-6.html

Don's friend WB2KTG says: "Being a bit of a perfectionist, Don would rather be a day or two behind shipment dates than ship a product which wouldn't fulfill his and your expectations!"

[AUSSIE]

Hi well thats good if he can fix the problems with the radio but the shipping date keeps changing it would be better if he fixed all the problems first and then can have a definite date for delivery..

Regards Lino..

[K0OD]

Two more CR-1 videos were just posted on YT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i07GUs3tJkY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOI63NvjUxY

"S-meter" seems to consist of the two characters at the display's bottom left.  i.e. "S9"
Does it display dB above nine?