(First posted in October of 2008. I haven't seen an RF-1130 since, so I assume it's very rare)
When I first saw the RF-1130 AM/FM/SW, my heart sunk for two reasons: I knew I had to have it. And I knew I was going to pay a handsome sum. I ended up buying the radio for about $210 plus shipping on eBay. It arrived a bit dusty but in excellent condition. The biggest problem is oxidation on the volume knob, so I'll need to purchase some DeOxit spray. Luckily, the volume knob easily pulls off, so I hope the spray application gets rid of some of the volume static. Another fortunate development: Subsequent use of the volume has diminished the static. I doubt this radio was used very much.
I assumed, the RF-1130 was an apex performer, worthy of rubbing shoulders with other Panasonic vintage legends such as the RF-2200, RF-877, and RF-888. The 1130 did not disappoint. 88.9, 89.3, and 103.1, all potentially problematic stations, came in loud and clear. While the 1130 beat my beloved 877 in FM, the comparison is unfair because my 877 is missing part of its FM antenna. I have to assume a full size FM antenna would make the 877 equal to the 1130.
Having tested a Panasonic RF-2200, I can say the RF-1130 is comparable, which is to say stunning. The 1130, the 888, and the 2200 are the best AM vintage performers I've ever used. As the photos show, the RF-1130 boasts a pop-up Gyro AM antenna, so you rotate the Gyro, not the entire radio, to maximize AM reception. The cheapsters who make today's radios wouldn't dream of putting a Gyro on their radios. I doubt they even know what one is.
Of course, you're paying in excess of $200 for this "GI Joe type" radio. It feels expensive: it's heavy and feels like quality.
The 1130 came with the original AC adapter, not a big wall wart, and it runs on 4 "C" batteries.
Speaker Sound:
The generous 4.5 inch speaker fills a room with ease. The sound is clean with no background noise whatsoever. If you want a vintage Panasonic that goes even louder get yourself the 6 inch RF-888.
Do you Have any update about this radio since you bought it ? Many of us will be happy to hear some news regarding this radio and as you pointed out .."This is indeed a very rare radio"
Posted by: Huesby | September 01, 2009 at 08:25 AM
Hugo, in spite of the radio's strong performance, it takes a long time to find and fine-tune stations. Maybe I've grown impatient, but I feel bad that I have the radio in storage. I should take it out from time to time and give it a listen.
Posted by: Jeffrey McMahon | September 01, 2009 at 08:48 AM
If I understood you correctly, Do you mean this radio takes a long time to tune ?....If that´s the case then I suggest you to turn it on without volume so it won´t bother you and leave it that way for 3,4 days, all day and night long and after that your radio should be better or doesn´t work at all and if that´s the case then it´s gonna be easier to repair it than if it were working intermitently, but in 90% of the cases it´ll fix by itself.
Posted by: Huesby | September 01, 2009 at 01:23 PM
Hugo, I have had radios like that, but fortunately my RF-1130 doesn't have that problem. I'm talking about the simple act of analog tuning vs. digital. For example, when I'm working out, I don't want to pause long to change stations. I like speed and convenience.
Posted by: herculodge | September 01, 2009 at 01:51 PM
analog is highly preferable on shortwave, as detuning to a sideband is how you avoid interference. 1KHz steps are just too large
Posted by: carmen | September 01, 2009 at 02:34 PM
Jeff:
Unfortunatelly for you and your taste Digital radios have very tiny speakers and a poor sound and cheap plastic.
Posted by: Huesby | September 01, 2009 at 03:58 PM
Hugo, the quality of today's digital radios is sad indeed. What a compromise. Just talking about this is making me want to take out my RF-888. Therapy.
Posted by: herculodge | September 01, 2009 at 04:05 PM
Better digital radios have tuning steps smaller than 1 kHz. For example:
Satellit 800 - 100 Hz AM, 50 Hz SSB
Eton E1/E1XM - 10 Hz
Drake R8B - 10 Hz
Icom R75 - 1 Hz
Of course, these radios (except the R75) also offer selectable sideband sync, which can be used to avoid interference. The older model R75 offered sync, but it didn't work very well.
Posted by: Gary | September 01, 2009 at 05:42 PM
Let me add the Lowe HF-150 to that list, as long as it's hooked up to a proper antenna.
Remarkable audio quality, SSB, great sync detector.
Posted by: Mike W | September 01, 2009 at 06:07 PM
I have seen this radio before
on the German Ebay. I have placed bids on it but never won. It is called the GX-500 in Europe I believe.
Jerry
Posted by: Jerry H. Neves | September 02, 2009 at 04:16 PM
Who wants to sell the RF1130??
Jerry
Posted by: jerry h. neves | September 06, 2009 at 01:40 PM
I paid $230 for mine. I'm not sure what price would incline me to lose it.
Posted by: Jeffrey McMahon | September 06, 2009 at 01:53 PM
Oh very sweet indeed my radio brother. Congrats!
Posted by: Ulis | September 07, 2009 at 09:54 PM
Yeah, it's a nice radio, Ulis. I wonder if you're Ulis from RadioIntel. Either way, greetings.
Posted by: Jeffrey McMahon | September 08, 2009 at 07:14 AM
Jeff, what time of day do you workout? I can't find time in the day to do 1/4th of what I need to or would like to do... I am assuming you guys in california have an extra hour or two in the day :-)
Posted by: kr | September 08, 2009 at 02:49 PM