First Look--the Panasonic RF-100MA

Angelo was kind enough to provide his first impressions of his Panasonic RF-100MB:

There are two versions of the RF-100, the Panasonic RF-100 MB while mine is an MA.  What I find odd is that if mine is an A and the other is a B, you would think mine came first.  But the MA says "National Panasonic" while mine is just "Panasonic," which almost makes me think mine is newer?  I don't know enough about the line to know for sure.

I have done more testing on my set.  I will write a review and send it it to Herculodge soon.  Preliminary reaction is that it's pretty darn good---seems excellent on FM and holds its own on the other bands.  The sound/volume is loud and clear.  

The unit was a dirty, dusty mess.  I don't know much about the guts of a radio to even know how to clean/spray the controls inside.  I haven't unscrewed anything and still, but it's sounding great.  When you use the radio spray on the volume control (to stop scratchiness/popping when you first turn the set on) do you actually remoe the knob and spray at the point of contact?  Or do you have to open up the set, find where the knob attaches and spray in there? 

To answer Angelo's question: I've been told to gently pull the knob off before spraying it. It's kind of scary, but I did it with a vintage Sony and it worked out fine. Let me add here, that's a very appealing radio. I'd rather own it than an Eton/Grundig S350 DL. 

Another point: Could it be that the RF-100MA has FM band while the MB does not? I've seen photos of the MB on eBay and did not see the FM band. 

Comments

[Scooby214]

That Panasonic is a classy looking set. I like the Panasonics of that era, as well as some of the older GE radios like the P780.

[Angelo]

You are correct. I just went to a current E-Bay listing to check out the RF 100 MB and it does not have FM. But it does have more band width on SW than the RF 100 MA has. Gee, in retrospect, I'd prefer the extra SW instead of FM!

[jeffrey McMahon]

I would rather have the FM since I don't listen to SW. My NPR station 89.3 FM plays the BBC all night. The BBC would be the only SW I would listen to. eBay is selling a good condition 100MB. Maybe you should get it and sell your MA.

[Paul]

Where is the ebay RF100MB?

[Tan Nguyen]

Your National Panasonic RF-100Y (MA) has FM while R100 (MB) does not. Both can use battery and DC 9 Volts. Both were made and marketed in 1964. I have just bought a mint RF-100Y on eBay.