The CommRadio CR-1
US-based CommRadio is introducing a new tabletop, SDR-based, shortwave receiver this year: the CR-1. Their website has a few specifications and the video I’ve embedded below.
The CR-1 receives the full medium wave and shortwave spectrum (.5-30 MHz), plus some portions of VHF and UHF (FM broadcast band, Aircraft, Marine, NOAA weather radio, GMRS and FRS services).
The receiver architecture is a dual conversion super-heterodyne design with low-IF , I-Q digital sampling, 16 bit DSP with digital audio CODEC. Their website also mentions DSP algorithms for all demodulation: DSB-AM, SSB, CW, WBFM, NBFM and channel filtering.
Other impressive features:
- Can be powered from USB or a 6-18 VDC power source (from a separate 2.1mm jack). The CR-1 possibly has the most flexible power source I’ve ever seen in a shortwave receiver!
- The knobs are black anodized machined aluminium and front panel is powder coated machined aluminium; case is 20 gauge powder coated steel
- Three antenna inputs
- BNC for HF/MW
- 3.5 mm audio jack (rated at 1000 Ohm, for roll-up antennas or telescoping whip),
- BNC for VHF and UHF
- Very portable size!
Full specs are available on their website: commradio.com
We will also keep you posted with any future updates.
Notice that it is hard to find the HF sensitivity ratings anywhere, even on their website.
Hi,
the BNC for VHF/UHF > it does not sounds cool…isn’t it?
I expected the N-connector for bands over 2m…
regards,
Petr
I’ve noticed that the BNC has become a standard among some manufacturers. Many SDRs now use them and companies like Elecraft have used them exclusively.
Thomas
“I’ve been requesting this information (radio performance data), both thru emails to Don Moore, and a previous posting here. Mr Moore should make more facts known and available about his radio:”
Are you saying that you’ve requested that info by email and have received no reply? Does the radio have an s-meter?
…that’s correct. The only reply I got from him was to go to a link to the commradio CR-1 site with an update. Again that update does not respond to questions others including myself have. The SDR technology field is changing and improving on radio reception for the hobbyist market. If your somewhat SDR savory, you can read the latest improvements from FLEX RADIO down in Austin,Texas…
http://www.flexradio.com/FLEX-6000.pdf
I’ve been requesting this information(radio performance data), both thru emails to Don Moore, and a previous posting here. Mr Moore should make more facts known and available about his radio: like menu parameters for one and what does the button marked ‘mem’ connotate. Does the radio come with a power pack or do we have to power the radio via a laptop(is cable included). Why does the radio not include the FM broadcast band after it was originally marketed covering it?
To Paul: Apart from the “band” label, those are my concern as well. If they want to market this as a real, $500 SW receiver, we’ll need multiple AM filters (rather than a single 10 kHz wide for B-AM), either synchronous selectable sideband or ECSS (I’d prefer the former), and excellent dynamic range. On a less-important note, any information on tone shaping? Sensitivity? I want to get really excited about this receiver, but they need to release further information first!
Paul and Ben–
Excellent feedback for the developer. I should think that there would be a great deal of flexibility with this being based on an SDR. A 3rd generation IQ out would make this a phenomenal bargain–I don’t see one on the specs, though.
-Thomas
They should put more thought into the user interface. The “BAND” label on the LCD is redundant. It should just be AM, FM, SW, or the Ham Bands LSB/USB. Instead of SW they use “INTL AM”!!
Also that radio station on 11.550 MHz is not Radio Azadi from Kuwait! It’s WEWN from US in Spanish. Also does the radio have only 3 filters (AM: 10 kHz/SSB: 2.6 kHz/CW: 1 kHz)? Does it have PBT? What is the dynamic range? For $500 one would except something really good …
Can’t wait to see a few reviews of this puppy.
No kidding, Myke. For you, this could be a very useful field radio. Sounds like it can be powered off of a wide range of supply (DC) voltages. RX architecture is very promising.
-Thomas