It
took some time for the RDR50B, which had been promised to me, to
find its way into my home. The reasons were supply bottlenecks of
electronic parts and a lack of available test units. However, Mr.
Reuter kept his promise. Now the RDR50B with an additional FM-module
has been on my table for three weeks. The RDR50B functions almost
exactly like its bigger brother, the RDR54. The RDR54 is built in a
modular concept; it has only one big main board on which you can
attach the FM- and the transmitter modules. The biggest difference
to the RDR54 is its large touch screen. Every function can be
controlled with a touch of your finger, almost like an iPad!
Luckily, the radio has a sensitive VFO made of stainless steel for
frequency selection. The special feature of all of the Reuter-radios
is their mechanical work, no plastic parts were used. The case is
made of milled aluminum and anodized in black. In this respect, the
Reuter radios are in their own league. Absolute top quality!
If you are familiar with RDRs, the operation of the RDR50B is easy.
Compared with the RDR54, everything can now be controlled faster
because of the touch screen. The click area is a little too small at
times. You have to aim very accurately to get at some functions. But
that is all a matter of getting used to it. After some hours,
everything went smoothly.
The RDR50B has the following modes and options for reception
improvements:
-AM-E*
-SYNC automatic detection of the carrier with selectable sidebands
(like AM-synchronous)*
-DSB
-LSB
-USB-
-EUSB - for signals starting at 0 Hz*
-SBCW-automatic switching of the side bands at 10 MHz
-CW
-FM-N
-FM-W
-IFIQ direct readout of the received signals on an intermediate
frequency
-BAIQ direct readout of the received signals in a base band
-63 memories, which save all the parameters of the frequency.
Unfortunately, the memories are not alphanumeric for the time being
because of technical reasons.
-The bandwidth filters can be adjusted in 40 Hz steps from 10 Hz -
10 KHz and in 80 Hz steps from 10 KHz - 20 KHz.
-Band pass tuning (IF shift)
-manual notch filter
-noise blanker
-DNR (Digital Noise Reduction)
Thus, the RDR50B is ready for almost every situation.
Regarding the most important criteria, such as low noise,
intelligibility, selectivity and large signal immunity, the RDR50B
is top class! Compared to my other radios, the RDR50B was almost
always just as good. It especially showed its strength when trying
to receive weak stations. With such low noise, it was almost always
better than the other receivers. But where there is light, there is
also shadow. Because of its special way of working, the RDR50B
sounds a little tinny in its modulation. It sounds digital and
artificial. But these are the only weak points of the radio.
Just like the RDR54, the RDR50B is a SDR (Software Defined Radio)
and depends on a PC. Except when downloading software updates.
The built in FM- module is in its own class. It has a sound and
selectivity, which are unrivalled in its class. I will put audio
comparisons on the internet, which can be found here….
As to the scope of the functions of the RDR50B, I refer to the
webpage of the manufacturer, Reuter Electronics. That would be
beyond the scope of this article.
If you are looking for high quality manufacturing and low noise
reception, the RDR50B could be the right radio for you.
*For the special modes, please consult the manual of the RDR50B.
.
The RDR50B in Action
(HD Video) First on FM, then on SW.