[Premium-Rx] FS: CUBIC COMMUNICATIONS CDR-3250 DSP

[radio at 8zo.com]

Mac is correct about the addition of a fine mesh screen over the display of many of the Cubic CDR-series receivers.  It was placed there to meet the prevailing TEMPEST-compliant requirements that electronics not radiate any RF signal that might allow a third party to intercept this radiated signal thereby potentially compromising a mission.

Having purchased several of these Cubic CDR receivers that have become available through Israel the past couple of years, I can assure you that the mesh screening had nothing to do with the awful looking display in those radios (the mesh is easily removed).  Even with the mesh removed the displays had splotches of brown areas where the blue was very dim.  The cause of this is very simple: it is the “burn-in” of a previous image that was left on the screen at full brightness for an extended period of time.  It is the same as the “burn-in” on a CRT screen when a bright image has been left on it for an extended period of time.  These Noritake/Itron Vacuum Florescent Displays act just like a CRT when it comes to burn in.  

The VFD displays on the Cubic CDR-series receivers are beautiful and are highly reliable offering a very long lifetime when properly used.  In the application of the aforementioned receivers, it seems they were likely set-up in a rack and left running continuously for a decade or more at full display intensity on basically the same screen display.  Removing the VFD from the radio and displaying a “screen test” (all pixels on) clearly shows the burned in display screen as a dimly lit brown.  Just like a CRT, such a VFD is often deemed unacceptable by users who are expecting a nice bright and uniform blue display.  

Properly operated, the blue VFD screens on the Cubic CDR-series receivers will show absolutely no burn in and have a very long life.  Running them 24/7/365 on full intensity on the same screen for many years is very rough service that will ruin the display.  Obviously, having a bad display greatly affects the value/price of the radio, so it is always best to carefully ascertain if the display is good.  

The Noritake/Itron displays used in the CDR-series radios were made (almost) exclusively for Cubic, and are no longer available from any source.  The larger blue VFD displays used in the later Cubic SMR-series radios are available in limited supplies, but not from Cubic.

Vy 73 de Paul  W8ZO



> On Jan 18, 2019, at 7:27 AM, ilan_4x6mu via Premium-Rx <premium-rx at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi Mac,
> Many thanks for the friendly tip and advise . I will check into what you advised and see if there is any improvement on the display.
> Blessings & Best Regards
> Ilan.4X6MU
> 
> 
> Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
> -------- Original message --------From: Mac <libbysales at austin.rr.com> Date: 1/17/19  3:05 PM  (GMT+02:00) To: premium-rx at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Premium-Rx] FS: CUBIC COMMUNICATIONS CDR-3250 DSP 
> Ilan  likely you know best, but when you mention the somewhat "blury"  
> display, remember please the great majority of these sets were produced 
> to include protection from EMP/EMI possibly effecting the screen/display 
> viewing area.  This was accomplished using a very very fine copper 
> screen mesh mask like effect covering the entire viewing area.
> 
> I am always amazed when I remove this mesh mask that the real or 
> available screen display is still or becomes very bright and crisp and a 
> joy to read and view, of course in the process I have given up my 
> EMP/EMI protection but here in 2019 and my advancing age it's a welcome 
> trade off.
> 
> Your mileage may vary and indeed this cure might not be what is needed 
> in your case, but it is offered and your results might vary.
> 
> Best:  mac/mc  w5mc
> 
> On 1/17/2019 6:02 AM, MILTECHS via Premium-Rx wrote:
>> Hello Fellow Premium RX fans.
>> With great regret I have decided to part with this really fine piece of equipment.  CUBIC COMMUNICATIONS CDR-3250 DSP
>> This is the 19" version
>> Condition: Works excellent to the spec although display is slightly blury due to dark/light charactersSome minor scratches and scruffs due to age and history.
>> Asking $995 plus shipping or best offer.
>> First chance to group
>> Pictures will be sent to the interested buyer.
>> Please respond off list to:ilan_4x6mu at yahoo.comilanyacobi@gmail.com
>> Best 73s,
>> Ilan 4X6MU
>> ______________________________________________________________