Panasonic RF-4900/DR49 | radiojayallen radiojayallen The RF-4900 differs from the other three models at first glance because it is the only one which is a large, steel-encased table top design…indeed it ...Panasonic RF-4900/DR49 Panasonic RF-4900 Restoration & EvaluationPANASONIC RF-4900 Sometimes someone brings a radio to my attention I had somehow been totally unaware of before. I guess this shouldn’t be so surprising considering the thousands upon thousands of radio models out there. Still, some models seem to slip under the radar…to be sleepers. One such radio is the amazing Panasonic RF-4900. Part of Panasonic’s “Command Series” produced between 1979 – 1983, there were four models in this particular series – the renowned RF-2200 (which most radio lovers are well aware of), along with the RF-2600, RF-2900 and RF-4900. This series has a striking external resemblance but there are differences inside that a prospective purchaser should be aware of. The RF-4900 differs from the other three models at first glance because it is the only one which is a large, steel-encased table top design…indeed it measures 8” x 19” x 14” and weighs a hefty 20 lbs…considerably larger than the “lunchbox” sized portables comprising the rest of the Command Series. In fact you would think this is an AC only table top set but a quick look at the bottom panel reveals not one but TWO battery compartments which hold a total of 8 D cells which can power the radio away from AC power. There is also a 12 volt input jack along with the AC input receptacle on the back panel. Also rather unique in a battery operated portable – if you can call it that – the RF-4900 lacks a rod antenna which most portable radios routinely include. (Note that there were European versions of the RF-4900 known as the RF-4900LBS and DR49 depending on the country in which they were sold which were supplied with a rod antenna. More on those models later). But indeed, the standard US version contains only a ferrite rod for AM (MW) broadcast band. For SW and FM external antennas are needed but luckily the radio does a simply superb job with short pieces of wire for antennas. I will go into that in more detail later as well. Other features of note include dial lighting that can be manually switched on or off full time (with a dedicated toggle switch) whether running on battery or AC power. A front panel calibrator knob – which operates equally easily with a fingertip or a small screwdriver – lets you precisely tune the digital readout (which functions on all bands) to precisely match the tuned frequency. The two speed tuning is simply the best I have ever encountered – pull the large tuning knob out for fine tuning or push it in to tune faster. With its little protruding spinner (see photo) you can spin from one end of any band to the other end of any band within seconds, yet home in on a specific frequency with ease and precision. Of all the analog multi-band portables I’ve used this one is among the fastest yet the most precise to tune – it is simply a delight to use. An impulse Noise Blanker often clears up reception nicely, Tuned RF, RF Gain Control, Dual Conversion (except between 1-6 – 3 MHz), TWO (!) 3 Gang Air Variable Tuning Capacitors, all built within a rugged steel case allow reception close to as good as it gets. A front panel Antenna Trimmer knob lets you match your antenna precisely for best reception. Linear Dial Scales keep you informed of where you are within each of the spread bands…, plus you can also elect to turnoff the Digital Display and tune around just like a fully analog radio. That display incidentally adds absolutely no additional noise I could detect…not usually the case. There are also jacks for external speaker, record out, and aux in, plus a dual purpose S-Meter/Battery Level meter. But the RF-4900 really comes into its own when taken as a total package. In many ways it represents the best of both worlds, offering all the benefits of fully analog operation (no chuffing, muting or jumping when tuning) with all the benefits of digital readout, accurate to 1 KHz at all frequencies. Its performance is among the best I have ever seen and I will put it through its paces and compare it with some other reference radios after I describe what it took to get it there. Finding an RF-4900 on eBay: Evidently these were manufactured in relatively great numbers because since I became aware of the model I have found several coming up for auction each month. Luckily they were well made and most have stood the test of time with only minor issues. When you find one you are interested in ask the seller some friendly but probing questions – this is good practice in general because I’ve found that good sellers will communicate freely and openly. If you can’t get a friendly and clear answer before the sale, how do you suppose that seller will treat you after the sale if you have a problem? In particular I would ask if the radio seems to be working properly on all bands, if it has the AC cord, if it has both battery covers etc. Such questions should elicit fairly clear answers from any seller I would care to do business with. Intermittent Switches: Just as with its better-known brand-mate RF-2200, the RF-4900’s seem to usually suffer from dirty switch problems. Slightly dirty switches may manifest themselves merely as noisy when operated but if bad enough the entire radio may seem totally dead with no reception on several or all bands. Usually it’s not a difficult problem to fix but special care has to be taken and I’ll outline how I did mine later on.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 20:40:14 +0000
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