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Review on Panasonic RF P50D Pocket Silver RF P50D by Calvin Chavva

Revainrating 3 out of 5

DSP is taking over the world of radio, but who cares?

If you agree that the DSP takes care of all aspects of the radio circuitry, then you won't mind the "D" version of this radio. However, the original original version of this model was a SONY single-chip design that included real IF coils, ceramic filters, etc. This latest incarnation claims to have greater bandwidth (for tuning), but it's difficult to accept that assessment given that it's now harder to tune into each station when it's hard to spot through disruptive clips between stations whether you are near a transmitter or have just passed it. I understand why they go all out with DSP, because it's a binder eliminator, there are almost no coupling components, so it's cheaper to produce each block when there's less work, but since the DSP chip isn't a standard DIP package is, you need a microminiature factory to be able to make and solder it. I suspect from my previous experience with this problem on a dyno I once worked on that they do a bit of circuit design along with assembling discrete components and then ship them to places like Indonesia where they just do the speaker, antenna and... need to assemble battery connectors.

Pros
  • Very good value for money
Cons
  • Not bad, but...