Panasonic RF 2200

[Shortwave2200]

Boy it does make such a difference with the GP wire I connected to the GRND input.... I was connecting the wire to the AM section but it didn't pull in signals as good as I thought it would BUT connecting the GP wire with the internal antenna extended MAKES a big difference!!!!

Today I will be scanning the bands and logging my catches....

[Shortwave2200]

Well I have about 50 hrs on the same batteries I put in at the beginning of nov and the battery meter reads only 1/2 now.

So the radio can get about 100 hrs on a set of alkaline batteries.

This is a great radio if the SHTF scenario......

I bought a 12 pack of batteries (alkaline) from lowes for 10 dollars.

Great radio! A product to last, not like the cheapies they have today......

[Boombox]

Sounds like your 2200 is a good one.

FWIW, your batteries will last even longer if you only use headphones. I'm partial to headphones when DXing or SW listening, because most radios seem to have better sound through them. The extra battery life is a plus also.

[Fast1eddie]

That is a sweet rig!!!! I still kick myself for selling off mine which I picked up when stationed in Greece. A extremely stable DX machine. Never had a issue with my calibration and was right up there with my Icom R70. I would love to find another when I am flush with cash sometime.

[ratboy]

I had an RF-2600 back when they were new, and stupidly sold it to a friend, who turned it into junk within a year. Later on, a family friend passed away and I inherited his 2200. I had other radios and eventually sold it on Ebay, as it was just sitting on my shelf, getting dusty. I really liked both of them, they were very well built and worked great. Funny how Panasonic's portables were better than their desktop receivers.

[Shortwave2200]

I sold the RF 2200 on ebay. I love the radio but to search for military comms and other things got to be frustrating. SSB was good on the unit but drift.

I was pulling my hair out finding another radio but I came across a Radio Shack DX 398, Sangean 909.

Funny thing I use eHam for reviews. all of the earlier reviews for this radio were great but as time went on the review got bad.

But anyways I snagged one on Ebay for 59.00+10,.02 expedited shipping.

Got it yesterday, mint condition. I'll miss the RF 2200 batteries lasted forever...

[MTjaybyrd]

I recently acquired an RF-2200, complete and in very good overall shape, and it's great to have a very good analog performer. I have a number of digital sets, including a 2010, but punching in digits just isn't the same as exploring medium and shortwave on a rolling analog dial.
The band switches and AFC needed a good cleaning, and after several failed attempts with other sprays, I broke down and bought some DeOxit, which turned the trick, though I still think those tiny spray cans are overpriced. My set has a "floppy" gyro antenna, but it still works fine and I'm sort of afraid to fix it, though I probably will at some point.
In my remote western Montana location at 5,600 feet, the RF-2200's performance is just amazing, even with just the built-in antennas. The low noise floor is quite appealing, and I can't wait to take it along camping this summer, out and away from the little RF interference I do have around me. Long battery life is another big plus. SSB reception with the BFO requires a diamond-cutter's touch, but that's part of the fun to me.
Really, I cannot recommend this set too highly, especially for us old codgers who love to scan the bands. And though the market price seems high on ebay, that's really just the 1970s retail price adjusted for inflation -- the value has been there all long.
Oh, lastly, sorry to rub in in, but I got my set at a thrift store for $4.99!