Signal/One
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio electronics, Amateur radio |
| Predecessor | Electronic Communications, Inc. (ECI) |
| Headquarters | St. Petersburg , United States |
| Products | High-performance SSB and CW HF radio communication transceivers |
Signal/One specialized in producing high-performance SSB and CW HF radio communication transceivers and was headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States.
History
The parent organization of Signal/One was Electronic Communications, Inc. (ECI), a military division affiliated with NCR Corporation located in St. Petersburg, Florida. Among the leading figures were general manager Dick Ehrhorn (W4ETO) and project engineer Don Fowler (W4YET). Beginning in the 1960s with the introduction of the Signal/One CX7 model, the company offered radios priced higher than many competitors but incorporated cutting-edge features for that period, including passband tuning, broadband transmission capabilities, dual receive functionality, integrated IAMBIC keyer, electronic digital frequency display, solid-state circuitry, QSK operation, and RF clipping. These radios were promoted as comprehensive, high-performance communication stations in a single package.
Although Signal/One primarily targeted wealthy amateur radio enthusiasts, its main clientele reportedly consisted of military personnel, State Department officials, and other government agencies. Despite the radios’ sophisticated design and superior performance, sales did not meet projections, resulting in financial challenges. Throughout the 1970s to the 1990s, the company experienced several ownership transitions and spin-offs along with multiple relocations.
Collectors
Signal/One equipment remains highly prized among collectors today. Key models that attract attention include the CX7 series, CX11, and various Milspec versions. The last Signal/One radio produced was a modified version of the ICOM IC-781. Total production numbers approximate 1,152 units: 850 CX7 units, 112 CX11 units, 168 MS1030 models (including several "C" variants), 6 MilSpec1030C units, 15 MilSpec1030CI conversions based on ICOM designs, and a single MilSpec1030E DSP conversion using the ICOM IC-756 Pro platform.