This is a great radio. It’s really “like new”. Everything works perfectly and the sound is very smooth, almost as good as the RF-888. Plus it’s about as cool-looking as any radio could be. The gyro antenna pops up via the button on the front panel and swivels to allow you to tweak AM and works very well.
I’m liking the tuner control which rotates like a compass. (Looks cool when lit up with the dial light.) Nice control with the single bass and treble knob and it really cranks out some volume. This particular one is really in amazing condition. Just needed a little clean up. The battery compartment didn’t need anything at all. Works great and is one of my new favorites. Couldn’t be happier with it.
Measuring nine inches across and almost ten inches high, the Panasonic RF-877 emerged from its box looking rather small. Something about its military bearing that suggested a larger size, but no matter, its looks did not disappoint. Evoking a past era when materials were of a higher grade and the distinction between phoniness and authenticity was sharply drawn, the sturdy RF-877 proved to be an apex performer.
Disclosed flaw was a missing antenna tip, which kept the bidding low. I bought the RF-877 for a parsimonious $62 plus $18 shipping. The question is does the missing tip compromise FM performance? A little, maybe. FM performance on weak stations such as 89.3, 88.9, 103.1 seemed only slightly compromised based on the tuning/battery indicator. The compromise is so negligible however that I do not feel compelled to replace or repair the telescopic FM antenna.
AM sound, enhanced with the Gyro pop-up antenna, is the real standout here. The notorious 710 ESPN comes in with nor birdy background noise.
The speaker is clear and full, but does not offer as much sound as the RF-888. In terms of pure volume, the RF-888 appears to be three times stronger than the RF-877. Comparing the two, I find the heavier, more stout 888 to be a superior radio. I really like the RF-877, but I truly love the RF-888. Of course, the RF-888 cost me a handsome $210. While I prefer the RF-888, I give the RF-877, especially one with a fully-extending FM antenna, the highest recommendation.
Update: My esteem for the RF-877 has increased as I’ve become more familiar with it. As I write, the speaker sound is really filling my office rather well. I must say I was guilty of exaggerating the disparity of sound between the RF-877 and the RF-888. I’m listening to the pennant match between the Rays and the Red Sox on the dreaded “birdy” station 710 AM. I popped up the Gyro AM antenna (6.5 inches long) and moved it until the birdy was completely gone. If you can find one of these “GI Joe” radios in mint condition for $150 or so, snatch it.
I purchased a Panasonic RF-888 (the black, more stout radio on the right above; the 1108 is the taller gray model), a model from the early 1970s, a few months ago and it’s a very good radio, huge speaker, silent background on AM, strong FM. Its tuning meter is operational, but being ontop and small it’s hard to see. One other small problem is that the FM makes static while tuning. For some reason there is no static while tuning AM stations.
Enter now a newer vintage, what appears to be a rare model from the early 1980s, the Panasonic RF-1108 Big Sound AM/FM/PSB radio. A side by side comparison for AM and FM proved to be virtually identical. Perhaps on AM I’d give a slight nod to the RF-888, but I feel I’m splitting hairs here. Speaker sound is virtually the same as both radios look like “Big Mouths.”
The build quality, evidenced by its heaviness, goes to the RF-888. The 1108 seems to be made of lesser materials. But I won the bid for $54 plus $9 shipping. In contrast, the RF-888 cost me $220.
I like the tuning meter on the 1108. It’s in the front and big enough to see without squinting my eyes.
While both radios are top performers, I hate to say that the tuning meter is way too close to the red zone, struggling around the 3 or 4 mark with the strongest being 10, while fine tuning 103.1, the weakest FM station I regularly listen to.
Now here’s the biggest revelation I received from today’s comparison test. After being disappointed with the way both radios received the weak 103.1, I decided to try my Sony ICF-5900. I placed the 5900 on the kitchen table right where I had tested both the 888 and the 1108. Friends, listen carefully: The Sony ICF-5900 BURIED THE NEEDLE INTO THE 10, RECEIVING 103.1 WITH FULL POWER. So let’s be clear: If you’re going to spend around $200 on a vintage, you might want to get the 5900 over the 888.
I wasn’t done with 103.1 yet. I put the 5900’s smaller cousin, my ICF-5500, on the kitchen table, tuned to 103.1 and needle buried itself until it landed securely on the 9. Slightly less than the 5900, but I paid $80 for it.
Having done this comparison, I have a new esteem for my Sony models. But I wasn’t ready to give up on my Panasonics. I took out my RF-1130, tuned to 103.1 and the needle hit the 9.5 mark, better than the 5500 but not as good as the 5900.
One more radio to go: My Panasonic RF-870, the one I bought for $80 with a broken antenna tip. I tuned to 103.1 and buried the needle on 10. That 870 didn’t even need its full antenna!
Based on these tests, I’ll probably sell the comparatively weak performers. What started out as a 2-radio comparison, ended as an FM vintage test. Yes, as a radiophile, I am a tyrant with my radios: Perform like a champion or be gone with you.
I picked up the package of the Panasonic RF-3000 and could already feel the presence of greatness evidenced by the density of the box. Inside was a 25-pound radio. What do today’s radios weigh? Two pounds?
The heft of this vintage reminds me of a beloved car my parents bought, a brand new 1967 Chrysler Newport. My parents loved that car and would still have it today except that a troubled neighbor boy attempted to steal the car in 1974 or 1975. The car rolled down the steep hill of a street we lived on and was totaled (as a side note that same troubled boy stole another car a few years later, crashed it, and suffered permanent brain damage, but I digress).
My point is today’s products are cheap and often chintzy. This can not be said of the solid looking RF-3000. Its only flaws are that twice the previous owner, suffering from dotage presumably, felt compelled to inscribe his social security on the radio. Perhaps this is a testament to his proprietary love of the radio, well deserved. In any case, the person managing the deceased radio owner’s estate disclosed this flaw on eBay. Sorry, there’s something unwittingly macabre about this review. Please let me proceed.
Why does a man want a heavy radio? The same reason a man wants 300-500 horsepower in his sport sedan. One word: Confidence. The RF-3000 delivers and more.
I turned on the RF-3000 and was stunned by crystal clarity and a salient quality of sound that in my subjective mind may eclipse its legendary brother, the RF-2200. Stations came in with ease. The birdy on the dreaded 710 AM vanished with a slight rotation of the hulking 3000. 88.9 KXLU came in loud and clear. Same for 89.3 and 103.1, other touchy stations. Let’s get real. The 3000 puts today’s radios to utter shame (forgive me, but hyperbolic emotion lends itself to cliche).
This radio is huge. My wife says it looks like a relic from The Hatch in ABC’s hit TV show Lost. As I said earlier, it evokes the grand heft of my parents’ 1967 Chrysler Newport.
What did I pay for this booming radio that is so solid I am reminded of the hull of a cruise ship? A paltry $87. You can buy some mediocre radios out there for twice that much. I’m glad I snatched this thing. What a treasure. File the vintage RF-3000 as more grist for middle-aged curmudgeonly men to rant and bicker about the loss of quality in the Modern Age.
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.
If you’re new to radios and don’t want to fork out this kind of dough, you might look at the Eton/Grundig S350 DL. At most you should spend $99 on one of these reliable, excellent performers. Sometimes they’re on sale for $49 as they currently are at National Geographic. Of course, the S350DL doesn’t have the high-quality feel of a vintage Panasonic as it feels light and is made of cheap plastic. But $49 for a silver Eton/Grundig S350DL is the best radio deal I know of right now. I mention this value because I don’t expect all radio buyers who read this blog to be willing to spend $200 or more for a used radio. However, if you’re in the market for a vintage Panasonic, I give the RF-1130 the highest recommendation.
I purchased the ICF=5500W about two months ago for about $80 on eBay. Unlike its big brother, the ICF-5900, the 5500 does not have SW, which is not a problem for me, a non-SW listener. Smaller than the 5900 and featuring a smaller speaker and AM/FM/PSB bands, the radio begs to be tested, reception-wise, with the 5900. It holds up rather well. I’d be splitting hairs to say that my 5900 gets better AM. At times I thought that was the case, but usually AM seems rather equal. FM is also the same.
My 5500 arrived with an accurate tuning dial while my $200 5900 has a dial that is a .70 increment off. Also every now and then the 5900 speaker sounds distorted on talk radio, but usually this is not the case. I don’t know why once in a great while the 5900 speaker sounds “tired.” The smaller 5500 does not show any signs of “fatigue” even though it doesn’t deliver as a big a sound. However, considering its pleasantly small size–8 inches tall, 6.5 inches across, and 2 inches deep–it produces more than adequate sound. There’s nothing tinny about the 5500.
My only quibble with the 5500’s design is the volume control, a horizontal slide ruler. There may be slight oxidization
On the AM scale between 0 and 10, I’d give the 5500 a 9 or 10. I can angle it to get rid of the birdy noise on 710 and most of the chuggling noise on 830 at night.
On the FM scale, the 5500 definitely gets a 10. It grabs all weak FM stations with ease and can hold its own against the 5900 and one of today’s strong performers, the Eton/Grundig S350DL.
To give you an idea of how impressive FM is on the 5500, consider that the very weak Indie Rock 103.1 requires lots of antenna play until you can find the sweet spot with my Eton Sound 100, my Sangean WR-2, my Sangean PR-D5, and my Boston Acoustics Horizon Solo and Duo. Now get ready for this: The 5500 pulls in 103.1 with the antenna completely down. Try doing this with a modern radio. One of the things I’ve learned from buying such vintage radios as the 5500, the 5900, and the Panasonic RF-888 is that today’s radios are depressingly bad–cheap build quality, light plastic materials.
To give you an idea of the build quality of these radios, consider that on eBay a Panasonic RF-5000 is for sale with the original receipt, a staggering $290 and it sold in 1969. In today’s money, that radio would cost over $600. Today’s radio buyers for the most part wouldn’t pay for that kind of quality. Hence we are stuck with junk in today’s radio market. I apologize, for I have digressed. Back to the 5500:
Conclusion:
Considering the rich audio, the small footprint, the handsome manly military design, the stunning AM/FM reception and the excellent value of the 5500, it is highly recommended and deserves to be placed under the category of Apex Performer.
Thanks to Paul for this review of the Panasonic RF-1350 AM/FM/SW Radio.
This radio is quite rare. It may have been marketed only outside the US (I received mine from Canada).
Dimensions: 12″x8″x3″ (approximate; a little larger in actuality)
Features:
AM/FM/SW in 5 bands. Continuous shortwave coverage in 3 bands from 1.6 – 30 MHz.
Telescopic rod antenna
Headphone and line out
External antenna connections for AM and FM
Continuously variable (analog) volume, bass, and treble control
Large tuning knob
Fine tuning knob for AM
Mechanical band selector switch
Runs on 4 D batteries or AC (no adapter required)
Tuning indicator needle
Carrying handle
Dial light (press and hold to illuminate)
Brushed aluminum face
Performance:
In one word: superb. Excellent sensitivity and very good selectivity on AM/FM/SW. Very smooth, solid tuning knob (no wobble). No backlash on dial. Dial amazingly accurate on AM and FM. Very nice control of audio tone via bass and treble controls. No scratchy controls. It has a 12 cm speaker (about 4.7 inches), and it can be very loud and room-filling. Build quality and workmanship is great and completely eclipses radios such as the Eton S350DL or Redsun RP2100.
A day after receiving the Panasonic RF-888 I did an outside reception test. My first impressions were positive inside my office, so I wasn’t surprised to find that AM and FM was superb, as superior as my testing of the Sony 5900 and the Panasonic RF-2200.
On FM, weak stations such as 89.3, and especially 88.9, came in crystal clear with no background noise.
On AM, the weakest station, 710, came in with no birdy noise.
The speaker is huge and will blast your ears so from close range I had to barely turn up the volume. My RF-888 will easily fill the living room, and it will probably grace the side coffee table for some time.
When I got bit by the radio bug in 2004 and bought every Grundig, Eton, Kaito, and Tecsun being released, I started my radio education. At the time, I also bought some vintage Panasonic, Sony, and Telefunken radios.
Has my passion died? Not really. Here’s the thing. I’ve got what I want. And I know my limitations regarding my tech skills, so I only use my mint Panasonic RF-888 shown below when I want a taste of vintage glory. My beloved Panasonic RF-877 “GI-Joe Radio” (top of the post) shown has amazing FM/AM reception but its sound is intermittent due to oxidization inside the pot. I may have to hire someone to clean it out.
I’m resigned to the fact that while I have the best modern radios for suiting my listening needs, none of them have the majesty of a Panasonic RF-2200 or a lesser priced GE Super Radio II.
In any event, here’s my current collection:
The C.Crane SW Radio plays in my workout den/office. I wanted it in my bedroom but its FM antenna too easily hooked on my elbow when I was getting up in the dark, so back in the den it went. Strengths: FM and loud sound. Weaknesses: None.
C.Crane 2E plays in the kitchen. I bought this a year ago evidencing that I’ll still buy a new radio if I am confident that it is an upgrade to what I already own. The 2E proves to be better than its previous incarnation in terms of sound and FM reception but only by a hair. Weakness: Like all my radios, 640 AM is too strong in Torrance and gets overload in the sound of squawking goose. I gave up on 640 and now listen to Leo Laporte podcasts.
C. Crane Plus in the girls’ bathroom. Nearly as good as the 2E. Ed bought this for me for 7 dollars at Fryes. My greatest radio deal ever.
Tivoli Songbook in the master bathroom. It’s small so it fits on the tiny bathroom table. FM is fine. AM is subject to interference.
Sangean WR-2 plays in the master bedroom. I love that its earbud jack is in the front. FM is great. AM is above average. Problems: The on-off button sometimes needs to be pressed 3-5 times to operate, a condition that can be improved with a Q-Tip dab of Deoxit.
So there you have it. I still love my radios. I don’t buy them much anymore, not because I’ve lost my passion but because I’ve got what I want. Related articles
The C. Crane Solar Radio, paired with the optional AC adapter, arrived on Day 9 of the Los Angeles fires—perfect timing for some disaster preparedness. My first impression? Surprisingly compact and, dare I say, stylish. Its buttons and controls are refreshingly intuitive, a rare quality in emergency gadgets that usually look like they were cobbled together by paranoid survivalists.
Then I met the battery door—a stubborn slab of plastic that wouldn’t budge. My fingers failed, so out came the Swiss Army knife, turning what should’ve been a simple battery swap into minor surgery.
Once powered up (on batteries, to avoid interference), I tested FM reception. Not bad. It’s sensitive, though slightly weaker than my Sangean PR-D12 when pulling in 89.3, a notoriously tricky station here in Torrance. Still, it handled it well. KUSC 91.5, though, was a lost cause—same as the PR-D12. Odd, since during my obsessive radio blogging days in the mid-2000s, 91.5 was crystal clear. Maybe it’s not the radios. Maybe it’s today’s electromagnetic smog choking the airwaves.
Later that evening, as I tackled the dishes, the FM sound impressed me. 89.3 came through loud and clear, delivering crisp voices on the news.
AM performance? Initially disappointing—distant, hollow, like voices echoing from a well. My friend Mark reminded me that modern homes are electronic war zones. Between Wi-Fi routers, smart devices, and God knows what else, AM hardly stands a chance.
But then I tweaked the settings. Switching the bandwidth filter from 2.5kHz to 4kHz transformed the AM performance. Suddenly, it shined.
The speaker is pleasant but modest. This is a small radio, after all. Luckily, the hidden High Power Audio Mode (press buttons 1 and 5) gives it a subtle boost—not exactly concert hall quality, but enough to rise above kitchen noise.
Where the C. Crane Solar Radio really excels is in its power versatility—two battery types, a solar panel, and a hand crank. Practical, yet it doesn’t scream apocalypse gear.
So, where does it fit in my collection? The PR-D12 stays in the garage for kettlebell workouts. The Solar Radio earns a spot over the kitchen sink, likely becoming my wife’s go-to. With solid FM performance, customizable AM tuning, and thoughtful design, the C. Crane Solar Radio gets the details right—and comes out a winner.
Cinemorphosis 