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Reuter RDR50B

 

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.

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The RDR50B in Action (HD Video) First on FM, then on SW.

 

 

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