I am picking up my new radio today. I finally received feedback from CEN USA as to what caused the ERR 1 display and subsequently why even after they reset the radio is still did not work. Better late than nether I suppose.

"Thanks for the e-mail. ERR 1 is a critical error message there must be something wrong with the microchip processing board. We will swap the radio out and turn around on radio issues are same day- so you shouldn't have to wait to long. Sorry for the inconvenience and we thank you for your patience.
Thanks for choosing CEN,
Customer Service"

The same day turn around is great...should you live in the states and don't have to wait for international shipping that is. I must however thank CEN for the response and honouring their warranty, even to someone in South Africa.lol. This has eased my mind a lot to know that I will get support from them directly if need be and that I am not totally reliant on my LHS. You definitely have my support now and into the future.

Will check in again on Monday to let you all know how it went this weekend, can't wait to go bashing.