The Panasonic RF-2200 sports a rotatable AM/MW antenna
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who writes:
With your broad knowledge of radios, wondering if you can add anything to this list of portable radios, past and present, that have 360 degree rotatable directional AM ferrite antennas. Reason is I am looking for an AM portable for the nightstand for nulling out unwanted AM stations while also doing a little DXing.
The list I have from data mining the ‘Net is:
New models with rotatable AM antennas:
- CountyCom GP5/SSB,
- Tecsun PL-360,
- Grundig Satellite 750,
Older (vintage) models:
- Panasonic RF-2200,
- Panasonic RF-1150,
- Panasonic RF-877,
- Panasonic RF-1180
- most RDF (Radio Direction Finder) radios that were used on boats
“Boom Box” variety:
- Radio Shack 12- 795,
- Emerson MBR-1,
- Rhapsody RY-610.
[RDF radios] are kind of big, however Raytheon, Ray Jefferson, and Nova-Tech did have smaller model RDFs that could be considered table-tops).
The alternative is to build or buy a passive indoor antenna.
Maybe readers know of other models?
Thank you for your inquiry, Mario! I will do a little research of my own because you listed every model (and more) I could think of off the top of my head.
Post readers: Please comment with any models we could add to this list.
I will take all of the suggestions and make a master list to post here on the SWLing Post so it’ll be easier for others to research in the future. I’m pretty sure this question has come up before.
RF-1170 has gyro rotatable antenna also
The Panasonic RF-1130 also have the Gyro-Antenna with a ”local-dx” switch for the am and perform very well.
Phillips AL-990. Big rotatable antenna. Biggest of all.
On Ebay now.
And the list keeps on going….just saw this one on ShopGoodWill.com
Electro Brand 2971, boombox style with built-in cassette player. Very nice looking radio.
Just found another version of the Grundig 750 – the Tecsun S2000. Not sure if there are any differences other than the model #.
Two more: Stewart ST-2959B, Radio Shack CTR 12-795
The Stewart ST-2959B is a six band radio with a dial scale that makes it took like 10 bands to the casual observer, just to look more impressive.
For instance, “SW1” and “SW2” are actually a single 4 to 12 MHz shortwave band.
This and the other boombox type radios are cheaply made and not good performers.
I own a Stewart ST-2959B. Listen to it every week. In 2021. It’s nearly 50 years old and has been as dependable as any radio I’ve ever owned. Pretty impressive for a “cheaply made” radio I would say. Imagine if any iPhones could make the same claim 50 years from their date of birth. As far as performance, what do you think it should do that it doesn’t do well?
Great feedback guys, thanks. Here are a few more:
Ventura Venturer 2959-2 (Boombox variety)
Bendix Navigator 420 (RDF radio but looks like standard portable)
National Panasonic GX-280
National Panasonic RF-8000 (currently on Ebay with $6995 price)
Philips AL990.
I have one of these in my collection. It also has a a detachable shortwave loop antenna that fits on the top of the rotatable ferrite antenna
https://img1.etsystatic.com/110/0/12714896/il_fullxfull.990451059_9nlc.jpg
http://swl.net.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/al990.jpg
What a cool looking radio – never seen one of these before. Thanks for sharing this Max!
Robert, Like many Philips radios, they are marketed in the USA as a Magnavox –Model 90AL999 /44
Interesting – Tecsun has a PL-360 and PL-365, never knew that. Have to see what the differences are. Thanks all for your replies.
The -360 does not have SSB capability.
Ah, thanks very much!
I have this Panasonic gx600M, also very decent on AM
https://www.google.be/search?q=gx600m&client=ubuntu&hs=Uqs&channel=fs&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2q-iF-87QAhVEtxoKHTUtDQgQsAQIHA&biw=1036&bih=572
The Zenith Trans-Oceanic 500 and 600 series radios have a Wavemagnet loop antenna for the the standard broadcast band (AM). It may be detached from the top of the radio case and positioned as desired up to a few feet away from the radio.
The National Panasonic’s DR 48 and DR 49 well known as the “Black Beasts” of table top radio receivers of which were also well known for pulling in the most distant SW and AM/FM stations and both had a wonderfull SSB/BFO ciruitry giving natural speach and tone had ferite antennas,attached to the rear of the metal caseing.These rods were adjustable for antenna tuning,however they folded down against the rear of the case and once pulled out into position for receiption,could only be turned slightly.The main reason for the ferite rod attached to the outside of the caseing was because of it being metal,of which was connected to the earthing of the circuit.However these radios performed excellent in their day and a few arround the world are still very much in use.The only problem that Panasonic gave these was the very poor band changing mechanisim.The very fine brass “fingers” that slid in the band changer slide, wore out and would crumple inside leaving the radio useless.This part as far as I know could not be repaired.The whole circuit board needing to be replaced.But nowadays,there would be no new ciruit boards left,and I expect many of these radios have been discarded or put on a shelf for memory sake because of this one factor.They were indeed one of the best early receivers ever made.Pity the band changer was of poor quality.
…and the Panasonic RF-2200 was marketed in various places as National Panasonic DR22 and Cougar 2200.
Rhapsody RY-610 was also marketed as Radio Shack SW-100 (12-649) from 1993 to 2003.
It’s similar to the Radio Shack 12-795 and none of them are particularly good performers.
The Panasonic radios (especially the RF-2200) blow them away.
Admiral Model 202. Antenna under carry handle rotates separately from handle body.
Info here: http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/admiral_202_ch_4w24_w.html
I have one that I would like to restore.
From the 1950s, high-end models from Germany:
Saba Freundenstadt 6-3D. http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/saba_freudenstadt_6_3d.html
Saba Konstanz 8, http://www.welt-der-alten-radios.de/geraete–saba-konstanz-8-353.html
These radios had a separate knob on the scale to rotate the antenna.
CountyCom GP5/SSB is also sold as Tecsun PL-365
The Zenith Royal Navigator 790YM Super Navigator has a rotatable ferrite antenna on top (this was apparently added in later models, as the original Super Navigator does not have it.)
Sorry, that should read Zenith Royal 790YM Super Navigator – just on my first cuppa!
A rarer model is the Zenith 755 LF whose handle contained a ferrite rod – not good for carrying around (detunes) but fine for bedside work).