{"id":36370,"date":"2019-03-06T08:30:46","date_gmt":"2019-03-06T12:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=36370"},"modified":"2019-03-06T08:30:46","modified_gmt":"2019-03-06T12:30:46","slug":"guest-post-repairing-the-national-panasonic-dr22-the-panasonic-rf-2200s-euro-sibling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/03\/guest-post-repairing-the-national-panasonic-dr22-the-panasonic-rf-2200s-euro-sibling\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Post: Repairing the National Panasonic DR22, the Panasonic RF-2200\u2019s Euro-Sibling"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who shares the following guest post:<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

National Panasonic DR22, the Panasonic RF-2200\u2019s Euro-Sibling<\/h1>\n

By Mario Filippi, N2HUN<\/strong><\/p>\n

(All photos courtesy of author)<\/em><\/p>\n

Thomas, your recent and thoroughly excellent post on the Panasonic RF-2200<\/a> was the inspiration for this short review of the RF-2200\u2019s European sibling, the National Panasonic DR22.<\/p>\n

A few years back when I was hunting for a used RF-2200, a second-hand National Panasonic DR22 was for auction on eBay. These radios were sold in Europe and are almost an exact match for the RF-2200, with a few minor cosmetic differences. \u00a0It was so close in appearance that I decided to bid and won the auction. The cost was around $150.00 plus shipping.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Author\u2019s National Panasonic DR22, a.k.a. RF-2200BS<\/p><\/div>\n

The seller described the unit as working, not a tech special, and was complete except for the original earphone. \u00a0The strap, which can be missing on some used models was in place, the antenna and all the knobs were there. When the radio was received, all appeared to be working well and most importantly the rotatable ferrite antenna was fully functional. \u00a0With the exception of tiny paint specks and years of accumulated dust the unit was cosmetically acceptable for a 40 plus year old radio. After a close olfactory inspection (smelling the unit hi hi) it was determined the radio was from a smoke-free home, which is important as smoke not only causes yellowing of plastic components, but it inundates the internal electronic components and coats them with a yellowish-brown stain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

National Panasonic DR22 Dashboard Shows Slight Labeling Differences<\/p><\/div>\n

On close inspection, the unit differs slightly from the RF-2200, in that it is branded as a \u201cNational \u00a0Panasonic\u201d along with the \u201cDR22\u201d designation on the upper right of the unit. And, the National Panasonic logo can be seen to the left of the AM\/SW gain control. \u00a0Another difference is the additional labeling found above each shortwave band, the designations are KW1, KW2, etc.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Power, Dial Light, and BFO Switches Are Identical to RF2200<\/p><\/div>\n

As for the rear panel of the DR22, a major difference is the presence of a voltage selector which allows one to switch from European voltage (220) to the US standard (110). \u00a0\u00a0Inside the unit there\u2019s a transformer that handles this option. Alternatively you can simply use four \u201cD\u201d batteries to power the unit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

DR22 Line Voltage Selector Switch<\/p><\/div>\n

After receiving the unit, first order of business was a good cleaning of the outer case with mild soap and water. \u00a0All the knobs and carrying strap were removed and soaked in a warm soapy solution. A toothbrush was put to work to remove years of human tactile residue from the sides of the knobs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Knobs (left) removed for cleaning. Carrying strap (right) was inundated with decades of dirt.<\/p><\/div>\n

Next on the \u201cto do\u201d list was to obtain a copy of the service manual, available on line. \u00a0You\u2019ll find it under the title of National Panasonic RF-2200BA. It\u2019s an excellent manual with detailed photos of the circuit boards, exploded diagrams of the mechanical parts, parts list, schematics, and of course the alignment procedure. \u00a0\u00a0Cracking open the case required removal of all the case screws and very gently coaxing of the two panels apart. Years of use, rust on the screws, and dirt\/dust buildup all contribute to the challenge of this endeavor.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

DR22 Case Disassembly<\/p><\/div>\n

The alignment took several weeks as the radio was worked on in my spare time. \u00a0Note that I did not replace any electrolytic capacitors, and yes it was the lazy man\u2019s way but a basic inspection of the caps for any evident leaks, explosions, or burns was conducted. \u00a0In short I did not want to replace capacitors at this time since the radio, as received from the former owner, was working well on all bands. Surely, as other operators have reported, cap replacement will restore full operational excellence but I felt if the radio passes the alignment specifications \u00a0that was good enough for me at this point.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

DR22 Undergoing Testing<\/p><\/div>\n

After several weeks the radio was restored to specifications, all switches were cleaned and dusted and the radio reassembled. \u00a0This was done a few years ago and the radio continues performing well. Even the 125\/500 KHz crystal markers are pretty much on the money when checked against WWV. \u00a0No scratchy pots either hi hi. So now the radio sits in my kitchen and is on at least a few hours a day and keeps company with its sister, my RF2200. Note that recently DR22s have sold on eBay for $150 – $300US<\/a>. Tech specials\/parts radio run considerably less. \u00a0Thanks and 73\u2019s de N2HUN.<\/p>\n

\n

Thank you, Mario! It looks like you scored an excellent deal on the DR22 and it’s serving you quite well! I’m glad you spent time checking for leaky capacitors after opening the chassis. Using the DR22 so frequently will keep those caps “juicy!”<\/em><\/p>\n

Post Readers: Please comment if you love the National Panasonic DR22!<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Do you enjoy the SWLing Post?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Please consider supporting us via\u00a0Patreon<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or our\u00a0Coffee<\/span>\u00a0Fund<\/span><\/a>! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Your support makes articles like this one possible. Thank you!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who shares the following guest post: National Panasonic DR22, the Panasonic RF-2200\u2019s Euro-Sibling By Mario Filippi, N2HUN (All photos courtesy of author) Thomas, your recent and thoroughly excellent post on the Panasonic RF-2200 was the inspiration for this short review of the RF-2200\u2019s European sibling, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[373,433,3,305,3196,26,43,4796],"tags":[7655,4311,7656,2639,4547,2643],"class_list":["post-36370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-am","category-mediumwave","category-news","category-nostalgia","category-portable-radio","category-radios","category-shortwave-radio","category-vintage-radio","tag-dr22","tag-mario-filippi-n2hun","tag-national-panasonic-dr22","tag-panasonic-rf-2200","tag-radio-repair","tag-rf-2200"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-9sC","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":41892,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/02\/a-look-back-memories-of-the-panasonic-rf-2200-and-its-sibling-the-national-panasonic-dr22\/","url_meta":{"origin":36370,"position":0},"title":"A Look Back: Memories of the Panasonic RF-2200 and its sibling, the National Panasonic DR22","author":"Thomas","date":"February 7, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), for the following guest post: A Look Back: Memories of the Panasonic RF-2200 and its Sibling, the National Panasonic DR22 by Mario Filippi, N2HUN All photos by author unless otherwise noted One of the preeminent AM\/FM\/SW portables of all time is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Mario-RF-2200.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Mario-RF-2200.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Mario-RF-2200.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Mario-RF-2200.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47142,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/01\/mario-spots-a-national-panasonic-cougar-2200-rf-2200-on-ebay\/","url_meta":{"origin":36370,"position":1},"title":"Mario spots a National Panasonic Cougar 2200 (RF-2200) on eBay","author":"Thomas","date":"January 2, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi, who notes a National Panasonic Cougar RF-2200 that's currently available on eBay. The Cougar is an Asian version of the venerable Panasonic RF-2200. This model appears to have an original box in great shape. The price is steep, though at roughly US\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Cougar-RF-2200-e1609625211202.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Cougar-RF-2200-e1609625211202.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Cougar-RF-2200-e1609625211202.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Cougar-RF-2200-e1609625211202.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24921,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/03\/panasonic-rf-2200-on-shopgoodwill\/","url_meta":{"origin":36370,"position":2},"title":"Panasonic RF-2200 on ShopGoodwill","author":"Thomas","date":"March 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN) who shares a link to this National Panasonic RF-2200 on ShopGoodwill. The bid is currently $78 and ends this evening. You must be registered with ShopGoodwill and have a PayPal account to place a bid. Note that I've had some very\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Panasonic-RF200-Shop-Goodwill.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Panasonic-RF200-Shop-Goodwill.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Panasonic-RF200-Shop-Goodwill.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":43066,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/04\/panasonic-rf-2200-antenna-coupler-model-rd-9820-on-ebay\/","url_meta":{"origin":36370,"position":3},"title":"Panasonic RF-2200 antenna coupler (model RD-9820) on eBay","author":"Thomas","date":"April 29, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who recently discovered a model RD-9820 antenna coupler for the Panasonic RF-2200. Mario states, \"[The] price is reasonable and they take offers.\" Please, someone purchase this before I do in a moment of weakness. I've two RF-2200s, but do not have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/RF-2200-Antenna-Coupler-1024x848.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/RF-2200-Antenna-Coupler-1024x848.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/RF-2200-Antenna-Coupler-1024x848.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25644,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/panasonic-rd-9820-on-ebay\/","url_meta":{"origin":36370,"position":4},"title":"Panasonic RD-9820 on eBay","author":"Thomas","date":"May 16, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi, who shares an eBay link to this Panasonic RD-9820--the matching antenna coupler for the Panasonic RF-2200. Mario notes that RF-2200 owners might take note as the auction price is on a more reasonable trajectory than ones have in past auctions. This 9820\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Panasonic-Coupler.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Panasonic-Coupler.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Panasonic-Coupler.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Panasonic-Coupler.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24018,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/02\/panasonic-rf-2200-mario-spots-the-model-rd-9820-matching-coupler\/","url_meta":{"origin":36370,"position":5},"title":"Panasonic RF-2200: Mario spots the model RD-9820 matching coupler","author":"Thomas","date":"February 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who writes: This antenna coupler was the companion for the RF-2200, they come up once in a while on eBay. Just some radio memorabilia\/trivia to store away in the SWL file of brain hihi. Click here to view on eBay. Thank\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/RF-2200-Coupler-RD-9820-844x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/RF-2200-Coupler-RD-9820-844x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/RF-2200-Coupler-RD-9820-844x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36370"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36370\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}