Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Radio Review (The Early Days) (Introduction | Summary) The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is a very capable analog receiver of traditional radio broadcasts. The radio’s performance and feature set are generally good. The sound quality emanating from its 2.25-inch monaural speaker is enjoyable and detailed but not spectacular. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio can be enjoyed equally as much as music, sports or news resource on a San Francisco cable car, walking around Times Square or in a fishing boat on the Potomac River. From the Twin Cities to Montauk Point or anywhere else across the vast expanses of the U.S., Canadian and world landscape, this Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is a pleasure to use. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio provides instant access to a multitude of radio programming options along the analog frequency spectrum. FM/AM reception is clear on this small portable. Accurate tuning of classic rock broadcasts on the FM Band is accomplished through its Slide-Rule Tuning Dial. A bright red LED TUNING indicator lights up and remains lit when I have locked in on a station on either broadcast band. The LED TUNING indicator is a great feature as it allows me to tune in FM/AM stations accurately in low light conditions and lets me know that the pocket radio is powered on. I have not extended the metal telescopic whip antenna frequently when listening to FM stations. AM Band reception is high quality off the internal ferrite bar antenna. It is easy to tune in my favorite sports radio stations on the AM Band for quick analysis and recap of last night’s game. I don’t need to reorient the pocket radio’s horizontal position to achieve satisfactory AM Band reception. I am able to receive every FM and AM station that is intended for the radio market that I reside in. AM Band DX reception is adequate for this product category. This Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio does not demonstrate selectivity or sensitivity issues in its day-to-day FM/AM broadcast reception performance. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio features list include: Slide-Rule Tuning Dial, FM/AM Log Scale, FM/AM Dial Scale, Analog Tuner, Orange Tuning Marker, FM/AM Reception, FM Band Frequency Range: 88-108 MHz, AM Band Frequency Range: 525-1710 kHz, Rotary Volume/OFF(Power) Dial, Green Power-on Marker, FM/AM Band Selector Switch, 3.5mm Mono Earphone Jack, FM Band telescopic whip antenna, ferrite bar AM Band antenna, 2.25-inch monaural speaker, Red LED TUNING Indicator, gray nylon carry strap, detachable battery cover, DC positive/negative AA battery contact terminals, rear panel battery compartment, attractive silver/gray finish, lightweight design, plastic build and pictorial diagram operating instructions. The user manual is conveniently folded-up into a four column pamphlet for compartmentalized system information retrieval. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is powered by two AA batteries and it offers exceptional battery life with Duracell Ultra Power DURALOCK Power Preserve or Energizer Max Power Seal Technology AA alkaline batteries. The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is a great portable audio companion for a family picnic, walks in the park, listening to the ballgame and to stay informed when there is an emergency weather or power outage event. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio will fulfill the needs and requirements of any portable audio task. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s dimension measurements are: Height: 4-5/8″, Width: 2-¾”, Depth: 1-3/16” and Weight: 4.9 ounces without alkaline batteries installed. A one year parts and labor limited manufacturer warranty is included. Overall rating is 4.5/5 stars. I like this Panasonic FM/AM Pocket Radio. Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Radio Review The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is a very capable analog receiver of traditional radio broadcasts. The radio’s performance and feature set are generally good. The sound quality emanating from its 2.25-inch monaural speaker is enjoyable and detailed but not spectacular. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio can be enjoyed equally as much as a music, sports, weather or news information resource on a San Francisco cable car, walking around Times Square or in a fishing boat on the Potomac River. From the Twin Cities to Montauk Point, this Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is a pleasure to use. FM/AM reception is clear on this small portable. It is easy to tune in my favorite sports radio stations on the AM Band and classic rock broadcasts on the FM Band through its Slide-Rule Tuning Dial. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio provides instant access to a multitude of radio programming options along the analog frequency spectrum. A bright red LED Tuning indicator lights up and remains lit when I have locked in on a station on either broadcast band. The LED Tuning indicator is a great feature as it allows me to tune in FM/AM stations accurately in low light conditions and lets me know that the radio is in good working order. I have not extended the telescopic whip antenna frequently when listening to FM stations. AM Band tuning is high quality off the ferrite bar antenna. I am able to locate my favorite sports radio stations on the AM Band for a quick analysis and recap of last night’s game. I am able to receive every FM/AM station that is intended for the radio market that I reside in. AM Band DX reception during the overnight hours is adequate for this product category. I don’t need to reorient the Panasonic Pocket Radio’s position to achieve satisfactory AM reception. This Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio does not demonstrate selectivity or sensitivity issues in its day-to-day broadcast reception performance. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio enthusiast features list include: Slide-Rule Tuning Dial, TUNING dial indicator, tuning dial panel with clear plastic overlay, simple one-finger tuning operation, pale green tuning dial panel Power-On marker, analog tuner, variable frequency oscillator, tuning capacitor, variable resistor, monaural power amplifier, printed circuit board interior layout, printed circuit board conductor side, printed circuit board component side, IC system controller on main circuit board, IC pin functions, transistors, resistors, capacitors, diodes, fuses, switches, noise filters, ceramic chips, metal chips, short metal chips, RF amplifier, AF audio amplifier circuit, integrated circuits, integrated circuit pins, automatic gain control circuit, DC power supply circuit, speaker connection wires, electrical wiring to connect system components, modern-day transistor radio, semiconductors, solid-state electronic components, FM/AM Reception, FM (Frequency Modulation) Band Frequency Range: 88-108 MHz, AM (Amplitude Modulation) Band Frequency Range: 525-1710 kHz, FM Band monaural reception, AM Band monaural reception, FM Band IF Tuned Circuit: 10.7 MHz, AM Band IF Tuned Circuit: 455 kHz, FM Sensitivity: 3.55uV/50mW output (-3dB limit sensitivity), AM Sensitivity: 158.5uV/50mW output (Maximum sensitivity), superheterodyne tuning circuit, Orange Tuning Marker, tactile dot on tuning marker for simple station identification, LED TUNING indicator, 3 button control panel, Rotary Volume/OFF (Power) Dial, Volume/OFF dial directional arrow indicator, green marker on Volume Dial to indicate dial Power on/off position, audible click Power on/off function, BAND Switch indicator, FM/AM Band Selector Switch, recessed 3.5mm Monaural Earphone Jack (8-ohms minimum impedance rating), universal earphone jack symbol, 14-inch, 5-segment FM telescopic whip antenna, telescopic antenna placement holder on left side panel, retractable metal telescoping antenna, directional ferrite bar AM Band antenna, FM/AM Dial Scale, FM/AM Log Scale, FM/AM, MHz, x100 kHz, 2-Band Receiver and RF-P50 front panel symbols, FM Band Tuning Dial Channel Guide (88, 92, 96, 102, 106, 108 MHz), AM Band Tuning Dial Channel Guide (5.3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 17 x 100 KHz), 150mW (RMS) total amplifier output power, 57 mm monaural speaker, speaker magnet assembly, gray nylon lanyard carry strap affixed to left side panel, battery cover part #:RKKW0001-H, 3-tab release detachable battery cover, battery compartment lid directional arrow “OPEN” indicator, rear panel battery replacement caution message, spring-loaded DC positive/negative AA battery contact terminals, battery compartment, AA battery polarity installation diagram, 11-digit serial number sticker inside battery compartment, one battery compartment case screw, 3.0V DC Power Rating, Battery Current Usage: FM Band: 4.5mA at minimum volume, FM Band: 92mA at maximum volume, AM Band: 6.9mA at minimum volume, AM Band: 92mA at maximum volume, Panasonic alkaline dry cell battery run time: FM Band: approximately 50 hours, AM Band: approximately 52 hours measured at 25C/77F on a flat surface, speaker grill, speaker cabinet, Panasonic trademark logo, back panel place of manufacture, Company Part No. NN0113 and model number nameplate sticker, rear panel air vent and slot openings for efficient cooling, 4 bottom panel plastic feet for secure placement on a table, 1 rear panel antenna holder case screw, attractive silver and gray finish, white side panel lettering, black front panel lettering, white and clear type rear panel lettering, lightweight and compact portable radio, rectangular shaped product with rounded edges, plastic build, warranty card printed inside the user manual, cleaning directions and this item comes with operating instructions (operating instructions part #:RQT5096-1P). The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is powered by two AA batteries and it offers great battery life. The AA batteries must be installed in reverse polarity. There is no definitive answer as to the actual time that the AA batteries will last. The battery life specifications provided by Panasonic in the user manual are approximate, are offered under factory operating conditions and are accurate if Panasonic alkaline dry cell AA batteries are used. The Panasonic alkaline batteries that are specified in the user manual are not included in the packaging. Your Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio will have different battery life because it is not likely to be used exclusively at the Panasonic factory. Battery life will vary by battery manufacturer and battery chemistry. The longer the duration the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is powered on and as the volume increases during playback battery life will be shortened accordingly. Proceed with caution. I recommend Duracell Coppertop DURALOCK Power Preserve, Duracell Ultra Power, Duracell Ultra Advanced, Duracell Ultra Power DURALOCK Power Preserve, Energizer Max Power Seal Technology AA alkaline batteries, Energizer Advanced Lithium or Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries for maximum audio performance and battery life of this Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio. Stay away from cheap no name label alkaline, manganese or carbon-zinc AA batteries. Unknown brand AA batteries are inferior, last a short time span and leak inside the battery compartment. Make sure to never mix old and new batteries, different battery types, different battery voltages and different battery brands. Remove the AA alkaline batteries from the battery compartment if the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is not going to be used for an extended period of time (30 days or more) to avoid damage from battery acid leakage. Energizer Advanced or Ultimate Lithium Batteries feature leak-resistant construction and may be more suitable for storage inside the battery compartment in extreme temperatures compared to standard alkaline batteries. The AA batteries should be replaced when the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio consistently emits subpar sound, the tuning LED dims constantly or there is no sound at all. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is compatible with the following AA 1.5V or equivalent battery types: carbon-zinc, alkaline, lithium and NiMH rechargeable batteries (1.2V 2300-2750 mAh capacity recommended). When purchasing AA batteries for this unit, it is a good idea to check the date on the package. A fresh set of AA alkaline batteries should have a best if used by date of at least 6 or 7 years ahead of the date of purchase. Duracell Coppertop DURALOCK Power Preserve, Duracell Ultra Power DURALOCK Power Preserve and Energizer Max Power Seal Technology AA alkaline batteries are guaranteed by the manufacturer to stay fresh in the packaging for up to 10 years from the date of purchase. The package date for Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries may be up to 20 years ahead of the date of purchase. Battery life is determined by several factors and that is why individual results vary. Such factors include the genre of music being played, the volume level being used and ambient room or outdoor temperature. Battery life will be decreased if this unit is powered by AA alkaline batteries in extremely cold temperatures. Have spare AA batteries nearby in case audio performance deteriorates in the middle of a favorite song. Lithium AA batteries are approximately 33% lighter in weight compared to industry standard alkaline AA batteries. The total weight of this unit will be affected by the chemical composition of AA batteries inserted in the battery compartment. The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is a great companion for a family picnic, walks in the park, listening to the ballgame and to stay informed when there is an emergency natural disaster, weather event or widespread neighborhood power outage. The 3.5mm Monaural Earphone Jack will only permit the user to hear audio out of the left side of stereo headphones. This issue can be corrected by connecting a 3.5mm-monaural-male-to-3.5mm-stereo-female headphone plug adapter to the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s 3.5mm Earphone Jack. Alternatively, stereo headphones with an inline stereo-to-mono switch can be connected to the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s 1/8” Earphone Jack to achieve dual monaural playback in both headphone drivers. The headphone cord inline stereo-to-mono switch must be set to the mono position to hear audio out of the left and right stereo drivers. The notched Volume Dial serves as this unit’s earphone amplifier. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s 3.5mm Monaural Earphone Jack is compatible with the following private listening accessories: monaural earphone, dual monaural earphone, flexible ear hook stereo-to-mono headphone, dynamic driver stereo headphones, electrostatic transducer stereo headphones, HD neodymium magnet stereo headphones, active noise-cancelling stereo headphones, passive noise-cancelling stereo headphones, digital noise-cancelling stereo headphones, noise-cancelling in-ear stereo headphones, RF/IR wireless stereo headphones, digital surround sound wireless stereo headphones, ear buds, balanced armature in-ear stereo headphones, behind-the-neck stereo headphones, street style stereo headphones, active style sports stereo headphones, lightweight stereo headphones, open-air stereo headphones, extra bass stereo headphones, water-resistant stereo headphones, clip-on stereo headphones, vertical in-the-ear stereo headphones, around-the-ear stereo headphones, collapsible headband stereo headphones, DJ style stereo headphones, studio monitor stereo headphones, over-the-head circumaural or supra-aural stereo headphones, headphone amplifier, 3.5mm monaural headphone extension cable and a 3.5mm stereo headphone extension cable for convenient stereo headphone use from across the room. The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio produces prodigious sound from its monaural earphone amplifier. Your choice of stereo headphones will greatly affect the sound quality and dynamic overall loudness from the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio. To achieve tremendous loudness, select stereo headphones that offer low impedance ranging between 24-32 ohms measured at 1 kHz. Look to purchase stereo headphones that feature a high sensitivity rating measured in decibels. Look for Panasonic or Technics stereo headphones with a sensitivity rating between 100db-117db/mW, large diameter neodymium magnet drivers between 30-50mm, a headphone driver frequency response rating between 20-20,000 Hz, 4-10 ft. oxygen-free copper wire coiled connecting cord, Cooper-Clad Aluminum Wire (CCAW) voice coils and high output power handling capacity measured in milliwatts (500-3,500mW) for sensational private listening indoors or outdoors. Technics Pro DJ Stereo Headphones are the best choice for concert quality pocket radio private listening. The following stereo headphones will achieve hi-fi private listening on the Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio: 1. Panasonic RP-HT227, 2. Panasonic RP-HTF600, 3. Panasonic RP-HTF890, 4. Panasonic RP-HT21, 5. Panasonic RP-HTX7, 6. Panasonic RP-DJS400K, 7. Panasonic RP-HT360, 8. Panasonic RP-HC200K, 9. Technics RP-DH1200 and 10. Technics RP-DJ1200A. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio can’t be operated on AC power. The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is not water-resistant. The Panasonic FM/AM Pocket Radio can persevere through minor inclement weather. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is suitable for local reception of FM/AM stations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and overseas. Do not drop or submerge this Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio in water. The user manual is conveniently folded-up into a four column pamphlet for compartmentalized system information retrieval. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s adjustable telescopic antenna provides for more precise FM Band reception as circumstances require. The FM Band whip antenna offers vertical adjustment in collapsible metal pole segments and multidirectional movement for enhanced reception. The ferrite bar antenna allows for horizontal positioning of the radio to improve AM Band broadcasts as needed. The quality of radio reception received on the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is dependent on a multitude of environmental factors, seasonal conditions, astronomical occurrences, principles of radio propagation, electromagnetic polarization properties of radio signal transmission towers, the laws of physics, F.C.C. broadcasting regulations regarding broadcast power transmissions during the daytime and nighttime hours and circumstances that are beyond your control. Reception can change based on the time of day it is, atmospheric conditions, the presence of sun spots, solar flares, solar winds and solar or geomagnetic storms during the daytime hours, the movement of radio waves from one part of the earth to another, nearby power lines and electrical motors near the home, close by ham radio operators in the neighborhood, the proximity of appliances that emit RF interference to the radio receiver, the type of material that the home or room is made of, the distance from the broadcast tower(s) to the home, the presence of mountains, hills and skyscrapers in the neighborhood, signal strength of the station being received and the quality of the antenna and radio receiver play a critical part in determining the quality of radio reception in the home or outdoors. Radio reception varies by geographical location. It can’t be determined in the abstract if the tuner design of a radio is responsible for the quality of radio reception that a customer experiences. A digitally tuned radio is not inherently superior in radio reception compared to its analog counterpart. A Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s sensitivity and selectivity performance with respect to weak signal and adjacent channel reception will thrive or dive based on the quality, electrical design, thermal design and craftsmanship of the radio’s tuning circuitry, micro controller unit, signal processing, noise filters, accurate calibration of the tuning dial and built-in FM/AM antennas. Accurate, clear and drift-free radio reception for the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio will inevitably vary. It is not possible to give a definitive answer as to the exact distance that a radio broadcast can be received at a specific point of the day or night. Only a general range of broadcast reception can be estimated, measured in miles, when determining if a broadcast is capable of being received by the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio. FM radio signals are broadcast at a much higher altitude than AM signals. FM Band radio interference can be caused from multipath reflections of radio waves off tall buildings or nearby mountains in the neighborhood. The reception area of most FM signals can range between 40-100 miles. FM coverage is much shorter than AM radio wave coverage because FM signals travel in straight lines (line-of-sight) and have reduced interaction with the earth’s ionosphere. FM monaural reception offers better sound quality compared to AM. FM mono signals are susceptible to much less interference than AM radio broadcasts. FM Band broadcasts provide high-fidelity sound quality to the target radio audience and the shortest reception range in a particular market on the 88-108 MHz frequency band. AM radio stations on the 525-1710 kHz frequency band periodically reduce power at night or perform maintenance operations on the transmitter that could adversely affect reception. The transmission of AM radio broadcasts is much longer than FM. In the daytime, AM radio broadcasts traveling via ground wave transmission may reach listeners within a several hundred mile radius. At night, AM signals roaming via sky wave may travel hundreds or even thousands of miles away from the intended radio market. DX reception of remote AM radio stations on the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is possible after sunset because of an AM broadcaster’s ability to bounce signals off the outer reaches of the earth’s atmosphere to radio receivers outside of the intended radio market. AM Band DX reception is best during the winter months and is at its lowest point of performance in the summer. An examination of the various sources of radio interference is an important subject as it pertains to the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s overall day-to-day performance. Most sources of radio interference come from entertainment devices within the home that emit RF or radio frequency waves. Radio interference may be caused by phenomenon occurring outside the home, in the immediate surrounding area of your home, deteriorating atmospheric conditions and/or interference from adjacent frequencies on the FM Band. Listeners experience interference from nearby electronic equipment in their home from such items as computers, cordless telephones, microwave ovens, cellular telephones, televisions, stereos, compact disc players, electric power tools and household appliances such as a vacuum cleaner. RF interference can be caused from lighting equipment, metal objects and nearby broadcasting radio and television equipment. A competing station that is adjacent to the station being listened to will occasionally bleed into the tuned station to degrade reception opportunities as well. Moving a Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio closer to a window and away from devices that emit harmful RF waves dramatically improves FM/AM reception. Medium Wave coverage can be expanded upon indoors with an external omnidirectional passive antenna. For example, the Terk AM Advantage Indoor Antenna makes use of a wireless electromagnetic procedure known as inductive coupling to improve AM Band reception by placing the antenna in close proximity to the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio. The Terk AM Advantage antenna must be tuned to the same frequency that the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is receiving on the AM Band to benefit from the increased signal-to-noise ratios provided by the Terk AM Band Indoor Advantage passive antenna. An external FM antenna, such as the C. Crane FM Reflect Dipole Antenna, can be attached via alligator clips to the whip antenna for improved FM Band reception indoors. This Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is a superb battery powered news information resource tool to have during an inclement weather situation, natural disaster such as a coastal flood, avalanche, lightning strike or short-term power outage. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio can be made part of an emergency prep kit in advance of a natural disaster, severe weather, unplanned weather events, high wind warning, tornado, water main break, building collapse, bridge collapse, construction site accident, boating vessel accident, gasoline shortage, plane crash, train derailment, drought conditions, emergency water usage restriction, water supply contamination, manmade catastrophe, terrorist attack, explosion, asteroid collision, during a period of civil unrest or to receive notice of abhorrent criminal conduct taking place in the neighborhood on FM or AM news radio. I can’t recommend a wind-up hand crank radio. I have never reached a point in my life that I have experienced a complete disposable battery shortage. I have never run out of AA battery power during a power outage that I can remember. AA alkaline batteries are one of the most ubiquitous items for sale in the U.S. AA alkaline batteries can be purchased at almost any store anywhere. Yes there are some exceptions but not many. Obviously, AA alkaline batteries become scarce immediately before, during or after a severe storm and power outage. One way to avoid a temporary AA alkaline battery shortage and loss of battery power is to buy a spare pair or several spare sets of AA batteries for the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio in case a store that sells AA alkaline batteries can’t be found at the moment. The spare AA batteries will last much longer than the self-powered wind-up rechargeable radio. The long-term storage of AA alkaline or lithium batteries is a favorable option to power the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio during a nightmare public endangerment scenario. However, a wind-up radio may be a more desirable portable AM/FM/Shortwave/WB radio to take on a long camping trip, hunting trip and fishing excursion or to have during a power outage. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio offers excellent battery life on one pair of AA alkaline or lithium batteries and that is sufficient reason alone for me not to recommend a wind-up radio. Wind-up radios may also be inconvenient for customers that suffer from arthritis, joint diseases or maladies that cause pain in the hands. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio offers better sound quality from its robust mono speaker on radio broadcasts compared to a wind-up radio to provide increased voice clarity on vital up-to-the-minute weather reports, traffic updates, voluntary evacuation orders and mandatory evacuation orders on the FM/AM bands. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s FM Band Tuner receives the following station frequencies in the New York City Metropolitan Area: 88.3, 88.9, 89.1, 89.5, 89.9, 90.7, 91.1, 91.5, 92.3, 93.1, 93.5, 93.9, 94.7, 95.5, 96.3, 96.7, 97.1, 97.9, 98.3, 98.7, 99.5, 100.3, 100.7, 101.1, 101.9, 102.7, 103.5, 104.3, 105.1, 105.9, 106.7, 107.5 MHz. The AM Band Tuner receives the following station frequencies in the New York City Metropolitan Area: 570, 620, 660, 710, 770, 820, 880, 930, 970, 1010, 1050, 1130, 1190, 1280, 1330, 1380, 1430, 1480, 1560, 1600, 1660 KHz. Receivable FM/AM stations will vary by geographic destination or local radio market. The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is capable of receiving the following classes of FM/AM stations in the United States as licensed by the F.C.C.: For the FM Band: Class A: 6,000 Watts maximum broadcast transmission power-Maximum Antenna Height 328 ft., Class B1: 25,000 Watts maximum broadcast transmissions power-Maximum Antenna Height: 328 ft., Class B: 50,000 Watts maximum broadcast transmissions power-Maximum Antenna Height 492 ft., Class C3: 25,000 Watts maximum broadcast transmissions power-Maximum Antenna Height 328 ft., Class C2: 50,000 Watts maximum broadcast transmissions power-Maximum Antenna Height 492 ft., Class C1: 100,000 Watts maximum broadcast transmissions power-Maximum Antenna Height 981 ft., Class C0: 100,000 Watts maximum broadcast transmissions power-Maximum Antenna Height 1476 ft. and Class C: 100,000 Watts maximum broadcast transmissions power-Maximum Antenna Height 1969 ft. For the AM Band: Class A: 10,000 Watts-50,000 Watts broadcast transmission power, Class B: 250 Watts-50,000 Watts broadcast transmissions power, Class C: 250 Watts-1,000 Watts broadcast transmissions power and Class D: 250 Watts-50,000 Watts broadcast transmissions power. Receivable FM/AM stations are categorized as commercial or non-commercial. Low-powered college radio stations located on the FM Band in NY can offer as few as 11 Watts of transmission power. High-powered college radio broadcasts can offer up to 46,000 Watts of transmission power on the FM dial. The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is capable of receiving unlicensed (Part 15 F.C.C. Rules) FM radio stations such as those broadcast at a small college, local gym or in a multiple unit dwelling. The Panasonic Pocket Radio’s FM or AM bands can be changed even when it is powered off. FM/AM broadcasts can be listened to through external speakers in mono sound only on the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio. An optional pair of speakers are required that plug into the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s 3.5mm Earphone Jack. A 3.5mm-mono-male-to-3.5mm-stereo-female plug adapter is needed to complete this connection to stereo speakers. Compact powered, passive, wireless, travel companion, portable audio, computer or MP3 stereo speakers with a 3.5mm (1/8”) Line Input Jack will be adequate for this Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio music and news sharing scenario. Portable battery-operated stereo speakers will work for non-private listening. I recommend lightweight travel companion portable speakers for best audio and maximum compatibility with the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio. The speaker on the Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio will be muted once this external speaker connection is made. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is manufactured in Indonesia. I can recommend the Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio for use in Indonesia or any country that offers analog FM/AM radio transmissions. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio can tune to any FM Band frequency in the desired target destination. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio can be tuned to receive any AM Band station in Jakarta. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s FM/AM frequency range is suitable for Medium Wave reception throughout the world. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio will work anywhere as long as it is supplied with two working 1.5V AA alkaline batteries. The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is compatible with an FM transmitter for MP3 Player wireless playback. The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio operating instructions do not indicate that there is a 3.5mm Line Input Jack for connection to an MP3 Player, mobile phone or smartphone. An MP3 Player, cassette player, CD player or satellite radio tuner can be played on the Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio’s mono speaker via a user-selectable unused FM radio station frequency with an FM transmitter connected to the MP3 Player or portable audio component’s 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack. A portable AAA battery-operated FM transmitter with a 3.5mm Line Input Jack is compatible with the Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio’s FM Band tuner. A Maxell P-13 Universal Digital FM Stereo transmitter is recommended for MP3 Player wireless audio playback. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio will fulfill the needs and requirements of any portable audio task. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio dimensions are: Width: 2-¾”, Height: 4-5/8”, Depth: 1-3/16” (69.5 x 117.4 x 29.7 mm w/h/d) and Weight: 4.9 ounces (140 g) without batteries installed. A one year parts and labor limited manufacturer warranty is included. Panasonic admonishes not to use headphones while driving or operating a motorized vehicle. The customer should not operate a “riding lawn mower” while using the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio with stereo headphones. Operating a riding lawn mower using the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio requires the customer to wear headphones while operating a motorized vehicle. It is for this reason that I can’t recommend this Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio for portable audio entertainment during driving. Regarding the use of this Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio while pushing a lawn mower, it may be possible, but the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s performance could suffer greatly. The customer may not be able to hear the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio while pushing an extremely loud noise producing machine like a lawn mower with or without stereo headphones. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio does not support continuous radio playback for days and weeks on end. The AA batteries would be exhausted long before that playback could be achieved. Panasonic does not support its pocket radios in a commercial setting. As long as a PC/MAC computer’s sound card features a 3.5mm Line Input Jack or RCA Stereo Input Jack, then the Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio’s 3.5mm Earphone Jack can be connected to the computer. A 3.5mm stereo patch cable and a 3.5mm-mono-male-to-3.5mm-stereo-female mini plug adapter is needed to make this connection between the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio and the computer. A Dynex DX-MP35B 3.5mm-Male-to-3.5mm-Male Stereo Patch Cable can be used to make this connection to the PCs 3.5mm Line Input Jack. In addition, a Dynex DX-C101671 Y-Audio Cable can be used to connect the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio to the RCA Stereo Input Jack on the computer, if needed. All my favorite music, news and talk radio stations sound fantastic on this Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio with clear vocals, distinct voice quality, detailed midrange and well-defined bass. The perceived loudness of the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio will depend on numerous objective and subjective factors. The quality of the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s earphone amplifier and mono speaker will play a crucial role in determining how loud the volume the pocket radio can be played back at through attached stereo headphones or out loud during music sharing sessions. Most portable audio devices such as an MP3 Player, compact disc player, cassette player or pocket radio feature low-powered headphone amplifiers ranging between 5-15 mW at designated impedance and a mono speaker rated at 100-400 milliwatts max. RMS output power at 10% T.H.D. Conversely, the headphone amplifiers found in component stereo equipment may be rated up to 500mW at selected impedance. A stereo receiver’s power amp section may be rated at 200 Watts RMS or more at 8-ohms impedance (at 0.09% T.H.D.) and is much more powerful than the power amplifier found in a Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio. A stereo receiver can power stereo headphones with a much higher impedance rating of 70-300 ohms or greater more efficiently compared to a Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s headphone amp. A stereo receiver or integrated amplifier makes use of a Full-Size .25-inch (6.3mm) Stereo Headphone Jack to deliver increased amplifier power to home theater stereo headphones. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio uses a smaller 3.5mm (1/8”) Mono Earphone Jack that can’t deliver the same amount of loudness as the ¼” Full-Size Headphone Jack found on its component stereo counterpart. A headphone driver’s sensitivity rating plays an important factor in loudness perception on the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio. Consumers should purchase stereo headphones that are rated between 98-117db/mw on its driver sensitivity specification to achieve satisfying loudness on the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio features one small 2.25-inch mono speaker that produces excellent loudness in less than favorable operating conditions on a daily basis. Consumers looking for extra loudness to block out external unwanted environmental noise during private listening on the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio will purchase headphones with a better than average sensitivity rating. The higher the driver sensitivity rating the louder the headphones will play without the need to turn the Volume Control all the way up on the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio. Loudness perception of the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is subject to the limits of human hearing. Some customers can hear sound waves better than others. The hearing levels of all Panasonic customers are not the same. Some customers may report that the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio doesn’t play loudly enough from its speaker or connected headphones while others will frustratingly opine that the pocket radio plays too loudly for their tastes when adjusting the Volume Dial. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio reproduces almost the entire frequency spectrum of human hearing. A headphone amplifier can be purchased to augment headphone loudness from the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s Earphone Jack. Your choice of stereo headphones will greatly affect the sound quality and overall loudness that is experienced during private listening on the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio. Principles of radio wave propagation, the laws of physics and the recording quality of the music being listened to will determine whether or not there is extremely loud playback from the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s monaural speaker and/or attached stereo headphones. Customers can purchase the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio to augment their perception of loud volumes across the wide variety of musical or spoken word entertainment categories on the FM/AM bands. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio produces good sound from yesterday’s and today’s rock tracks, sad love songs, heavy metal, stadium rock anthems, guitar rock, folk rock, grunge, lounge, reggae, disco, hip-hop, dubstep, punk rock and music that is associated with the present club environment. There are benefits to consumers from reducing the volume on the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio. 1. Sound leakage through the aftermarket stereo headphones is greatly reduced. Customers may find this option attractive during private listening indoors or outdoors to avoid annoying people with music they don’t like that are sitting and standing next to them. 2. Customers can hear external sounds in their immediate surrounding environment such as traffic noise much better while wearing stereo headphones with the music playing at the same time. 3. Volume attenuation on a consistent basis promotes hearing safety for Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio customers at all times. When the Volume Control is turned all the way up, the user winds up blasting loud music directly in his/her eardrums for hours upon hours on a daily basis. As a result, the customer’s long-term hearing health is not protected against irreversible hearing damage from unmitigated, unintended and abrupt changes in volume levels during FM/AM radio playback. Human hearing adapts easily to excessively loud playback volumes. Because customers become comfortable with loud volumes quickly, they can damage their hearing over time without being cognizant of this fact. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s volume should be reduced during lengthy private listening to prevent this undesirable hearing loss outcome so that Panasonic can keep its customers listening to its portable audio products for a lifetime. If difficulties are experienced while operating the Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio, there are steps that can be taken to correct the problem(s) before seeking warranty repair service. They are: 1. Make sure fresh AA alkaline batteries are installed inside the battery compartment. 2. Remove the installed AA alkaline batteries from the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio if it is not going to be used for 30 days or more to avoid to damage from battery acid leakage. 3. Use name brand alkaline, lithium or NiMH rechargeable AA batteries. 4. This unit can be powered with environmentally friendly rechargeable AA batteries. 5. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is compatible with 1.2V NiMH AA rechargeable batteries. 6. 1.2V AA NiMH rechargeable batteries do not provide the recommended 1.5V per AA battery specification as indicated in the operating instructions. 7. 1.2V NiMH AA rechargeable batteries may offer slightly less performance with respect to audio quality and battery life compared to their single-use 1.5V alkaline and lithium counterparts. 8. Energizer Recharge NH15BP-2 (2300mAh) or Duracell Rechargeable (2450mAh) DC1500B4N NiMH AA rechargeable batteries are recommended for this eco-friendly direct current power supply for the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio. 9. Do not leave or operate the unit in an extremely cold environment. 10. Do not expose this unit to the direct rays of the sun in a parked car or outdoors for an extended time period. 11. Do not expose this unit to water, dirt, sand or dust. 12. Keep the unit stored in its third party protective carry case, if purchased separately, when not in use. 13. Do not drop the unit. 14. While this unit offers exceptional outdoor portable audio performance, maximum lifespan can only be achieved if it is used indoors exclusively. 15. Do not attempt to service the unit. 16. Do not attempt to modify this set’s internal components to make it accept an AC power source. 17. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the unit. 18. Accurate radio reception is difficult to accomplish inside of a parked car, moving car, subway, tunnel, basement, underground location, garage or in an office building. 19. Relocate the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio to an outdoor location or move it closer to a window to improve FM/AM reception. 20. FM/AM reception often improves measurably during the nighttime hours. 21. Extend and rotate the telescopic antenna to improve reception on the FM Band. 22. A wireless AM Band antenna, such as the Terk AM Indoor Advantage, may be purchased and located in close proximity to the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio to improve Medium Wave reception. 23. Upgrade to a better pair of stereo headphones and 3.5mm-mono-to-3.5mm-stereo adapter to improve the sound quality on the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio during private listening. 24. Retain the user manual for complete operating instructions, AA battery installation procedure and pictorial diagrams of controls, control descriptions, technical specifications, troubleshooting diagnostics and helpful troubleshooting resolution tips. 25. Register the Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio with Panasonic. 26. Refer all servicing needs of this product to a qualified or Panasonic factory authorized service technician. 27. Clean the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio periodically with water, mild detergent solution and/or soft cleaning cloth to keep it looking new. 28. Make sure accessory mono or stereo headphones are connected securely to the left side panel Earphone Jack. 29. Remember to power off the Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio when it is not in use. 30. Reduce the volume on the Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio as much as possible to conserve AA battery power during emergency power outages. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s factory packaging highlight the following system features: FM-AM 2-Band Receiver, RF-P50 Silver, Panasonic Logo, 2-1/4” Dynamic Speaker, Pocket Size, Slide-Rule Tuning Dial, LED Tuning Indicator, Power Indicator, Hand-Strap for Easy-Carrying and Made in Indonesia. Technical support the Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio including operating instructions and complete marketing specifications documents is provided by the manufacturer on its website at Panasonic. Overall rating is 4.5/5 stars. I like this Panasonic FM/AM Pocket Radio. Good Luck. Enjoy. What’s great about it: Very Good FM/AM Reception, Nice Appearance, Carry Strap, Great Battery Life and Lightweight Design What’s not so great about it: N/A Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Radio Review Best Buy Frequently Asked Questions (Redux) 1. Is this better then a clock radio? I work in an office building and can not get AM stations on my clock radio. Will I be able to get AM inside on this radio. Need for the summer to listen to the Yankee games. Answer: No. I can’t recommend the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio for your office building. An alarm clock radio is not the correct product category for this application as you are not using this radio to wake up early in the morning for work. Sony makes the best single-function portable FM/AM radios on the market. Sony consistently features the highest quality radio reception, sound quality, battery life, durability and portability with respect to its lightweight analog portable radio offerings. I suggest three Sony portable models that will help you listen to daily noise-free AM Band radio broadcasts of your frequent world champion NY Yankees in the Fall Classic. Sony Portable Radio Models: ICF-S10MK2, ICF-38 and SRF-18 feature a monaural or stereo speaker(s) and a 3.5mm (1/8”) Monaural or Stereo Earphone Jack for your 9-inning Yankee ballgame summertime listening enjoyment. Sony does sell three portable radios without a built-in speaker that will work just as well as long as you don’t mind listening to the baseball games on headphones only. Sony Walkman Portable Radios: SRF-M37W, SRF-M85W and WM-FX290W will get the job done with superbly accurate FM/AM reception. It may be difficult to achieve acceptable radio reception with any portable radio inside of your office building. Office buildings generate lots of RF (Radio Frequency) interference from surrounding computer equipment and overhead fluorescent lighting. Move the portable radio as close as possible to a window and rotate the radio horizontally to achieve optimal AM Band reception inside the office building. Good Luck. 2. Can I use earphones with it? I need something that I can use ear phones with. Answer 1: Absolutely. You can use any pair of earphones with the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio features an 8-ohm impedance rated 3.5mm Monaural Earphone Jack on the left side for use with earphones. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio will only output sound to the left speaker driver on stereo earphones. A 3.5mm mono-to-stereo headphone plug adapter is needed to make the Earphone Jack compatible with stereo headphones. The headphone adapter can be connected to the Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio’s Earphone Jack to enable monaural sound output to the left and right headphone speakers. Good Luck. Answer 2: Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Radio Review The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is a very capable analog receiver of traditional radio broadcasts. The radio’s performance and feature set are generally good. The sound quality emanating from its 2.25-inch monaural speaker is enjoyable and detailed but not spectacular. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio can be enjoyed equally as much as a music, sports or news information resource on a San Francisco cable car, walking around Times Square or in a fishing boat on the Potomac River. From the Twin Cities to Montauk Point or anywhere else across the vast expanses of the U.S. and Canadian landscape, this Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is a pleasure to use for its instant access to a multitude of radio programming options along the analog frequency spectrum. FM/AM reception is clear on this small portable. Accurate tuning of classic rock broadcasts on the FM Band is accomplished through its Slide-Rule Tuning Dial. A bright red LED indicator lights up and remains lit when I have locked in on a particular station on either broadcast band. The LED TUNING indicator is a great feature as it allows me to tune in FM/AM stations accurately in low light conditions and lets me know that the radio is powered on. I have not needed to extend the telescopic whip antenna frequently when listening to FM stations. AM Band reception is high quality off the internal ferrite bar antenna. It is easy to tune in my favorite sports radio stations on the AM Band for quick analysis and recap of last night’s game. I don’t need to reorient the pocket radio’s position to achieve satisfactory AM Band reception. I am able to receive every FM/AM station that is intended for the radio market that I reside in. AM Band DX reception is adequate for this product category. This Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio does not demonstrate selectivity or sensitivity issues in its day-to-day broadcast reception performance. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio features list include: Slide-Rule Tuning Dial, Analog Tuner, Orange Tuning Marker, FM/AM Reception, FM Band Frequency Range: 88-108 MHz, AM Band Frequency Range: 525-1710 kHz, Rotary Volume/Power Control, FM/AM Band Selector Switch, 3.5mm Monaural Earphone Jack, FM Band telescopic whip antenna, ferrite bar AM Band antenna, FM/AM Dial Scale, FM/AM Log Scale, 2.25-inch monaural speaker, speaker grill, speaker cabinet, LED TUNING indicator, gray nylon carry strap, detachable battery cover, DC battery contact terminals, battery compartment, attractive silver/gray finish, lightweight design, plastic build, pictorial diagram operating instructions and fancy packaging. The user manual is conveniently folded up into a four column pamphlet for compartmentalized system information retrieval. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is powered by two AA batteries. The pocket radio offers exceptional battery life with Duracell Ultra or Energizer Max alkaline batteries. The 1/8” Monaural Earphone Jack will only permit the user to hear audio out of the left side of stereo headphones. This issue can be corrected by connecting a 3.5mm monaural-to-stereo headphone plug adapter to the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s Earphone Jack. The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is a great portable audio companion for a family picnic, walks in the park, listening to the ballgame and to stay informed when there is an emergency weather or power outage event. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio will fulfill the needs and requirements of any portable audio task. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s dimensions are: Height: 4-5/8″, Width: 2-¾”, Depth: 1-3/16″ and Weight: 4.9 ounces. A one year parts and labor limited manufacturer warranty is included. Overall rating is 4.5/5 stars. I like this Panasonic FM/AM Pocket Radio. Good Luck. Enjoy. What’s great about it: Very Good FM/AM Reception, Nice Appearance, Lightweight What’s not so great: N/A 3. is this radio water-resistance is this radio water-resistance ? Answer: No. Unfortunately, the Best Buy website, Panasonic operating instructions or marketing specifications do not indicate that the Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is water-resistant. Sorry. This Panasonic FM/AM Pocket Radio can persevere during a minor inclement weather situation. Do not drop or submerge this Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio in water. If you do need a water or splash-resistant battery powered radio, then I recommend the Sony ICF-S79W Digital AM/FM/WB Shower Radio. Good Luck. 4. what are the dimensions Answer: The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s dimensions are: Width: 2-¾”, Height: 4-5/8”, Depth: 1-3/16” (69.5 x 117.4 x 29.7 mm w/h/d) and Weight: 4.9 ounces (140 g) without batteries installed. Good Luck. Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Radio Review (The Panasonic Review | First Release Redux) 09/02/2011 4.5/5 The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is a very capable analog receiver of traditional radio broadcasts. The radio’s performance and feature set is generally good. The sound quality emanating from its 2.25-inch monaural speaker is enjoyable and detailed but not spectacular. FM/AM band reception is clear on this small portable. It is easy to tune in my favorite sports radio stations on the AM Band and classic rock broadcasts on the FM Band through its Slide-Rule Tuning Control. A bright red LED indicator lights up and remains lit when I have locked in on a particular station on either broadcast band. The LED TUNING indicator is a great feature as it allows me to tune in FM/AM stations accurately in low light conditions and lets me know that the radio is powered on. I have not needed to extend the telescopic whip antenna frequently when listening to FM stations. AM Band performance is high quality off the internal ferrite bar antenna. I don’t need to reorient the pocket radio’s position to achieve satisfactory AM Band reception. I am able to receive every FM/AM station that is intended for the radio market that I reside in. AM Band DX reception is adequate for this product category. This Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio does not demonstrate selectivity or sensitivity issues in its day-to-day broadcast reception performance. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio features list include: Slide-Rule Tuning Dial, Analog Tuner, FM/AM Band Reception, FM Band Frequency Range: 88-108 MHz, AM Band Frequency Range: 525-1710 kHz, Rotary Volume/Power Control, FM/AM Band Selector Switch, 3.5mm Earphone Jack, FM Band telescopic whip antenna, ferrite bar AM Band antenna, FM/AM Dial Scale, FM/AM Log Scale, 2.25-inch monaural speaker, LED TUNING indicator, gray nylon carry strap, detachable battery cover, DC battery contact terminals, battery compartment, attractive silver/gray finish, lightweight design, plastic build and this unit comes with operating instructions. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio is powered by two AA batteries and it offers great battery life. The Panasonic RF-P50 FM/AM Pocket Radio is a great companion for a family picnic, walks in the park, listening to the ballgame and to stay informed when there is an emergency weather or power outage event. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio will fulfill the needs and requirements of any portable audio task. The Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket Radio’s dimensions are: Height: 4-5/8”, Width: 2-¾”, Depth: 1-3/16” and Weight: 4.9 ounces. A one year parts and labor limited manufacturer warranty is included. Overall rating is 4.5/5 stars. I like this Panasonic FM/AM Pocket Radio. Good Luck. Enjoy. Pros: Inexpensive, Compact, Easy to use, Durable and Convenient Cons: N/A
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 00:48:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015