Prior to the advent of portable cassette, CD and MP3 players, shortwave radios -- like the ones produced by Japan-based Panasonic Corp. -- were among the most popular portable audio devices. Shortwave radios, as their name implies, receive radio waves with short wavelengths -- less than 100 m or about 328 feet. Two Panasonic shortwave radio models include the now-discontinued RF-2200 and RF-5000. You can purchase these radios on the second-hand market, such as from online auction sites.
Reception
The Panasonic RF-2200 can receive shortwave signals with the following six frequency ranges, or bands: 0.525 to 16.1 MHz, 3.9 to 8 MHz, 8 to 12 MHz, 12 to 16 MHz, 20 to 24 MHz and 24 to 28 MHz. In comparison, the Panasonic RF-5000 can receive shortwave signals with eight frequency bands, allowing the RF-5000 to be compatible with lower and higher shortwave frequencies in comparison to the RF-2200. Specifically, the RF-5000 can use the following frequency bands: 1.6 to 4.5 MHz, 4.5 to 6.5 MHz, 6.5 to 9 MHz, 9 to 12 MHz, 12 to 16 MHz, 16 to 20 MHz, 20 to 25 MHz and 25 to 30MHz. However, in addition to receiving shortwave signals, the RF-2200 and RF-5000 can receive amplitude modulation (AM) radio signals and frequency modulation (FM) radio signals. The RF-5000 has the added advantage of being able to receive long-wave radio signals, which have wavelengths of over 1 km or about 0.62 miles.
Antenna
For receiving radio signals, the Panasonic RF-2200 relies on a single, external antenna. This antenna is rotatable -- which means users can rotate it for improving reception -- and ferrite, which means the antenna contains iron as its primary element. The RF-5000 utilizes two antennae, one on either side of its body. These antennae are telescopic and rotatable, which means users can collapse the antennae in addition to rotating them. Unlike the RF-2200, the RF-5000 also includes a folding-loop antenna. The loop antenna helps the RF-5000 receive long-wave radio signals, which are susceptible to electrical interference from nearby sources. Sources such as motors and power lines can cause buzzing sounds that disrupt long-wave signal reception.
Size
Of the Panasonic RF-2200 and RF-5000, the latter is the larger radio. The RF-2200 has dimensions of 12.6 inches wide by 7.6 inches high by 4 inches deep and weighs 7.5 lb. In comparison, the RF-5000 has dimensions of 16.8 inches wide by 11.6 inches high by 5.75 inches deep and weighs 22.8 lb.
Power
Both the Panasonic RF-2200 and RF-5000 can operate using alternating current (AC) power or batteries. While the RF-2200 requires either 120 volts of AC (120 VAC) or four D batteries, the RF-5000 requires either 117 VAC or six D batteries.
Tags: radio signals, RF-2200 RF-5000, Panasonic RF-2200, RF-5000 receive, shortwave signals
