I was looking for addition to my 1979 RQ-4050FD small radio cassette recorders. I looked at RX-5000 series models as RQ model successors and RX-5100 caught my eye. RX-5110 was pretty much the same thing with tweeters and universal PS. I did not like plain silver appearance of US/Japan versions and researched other markets versions. European National Panasonic RX-5100F version dark scale, handle and rear case looked most appealing to me. Plus unlike its US/Japan brothers it has tweeters and universal PS. 2 SW bands are a plus but not really practical 37 years after the radio was made. There was 100% identical but FM-castrated RX-5100T version for Africa and Middle East.
Soon 1980 RX-5100F beater surfaced, dirty condition with melted case. Even the dial cord was broken on this one! In theory it can be cleaned-up and restored but due to irreversible heat damage to both front and rear case it's not worth keeping. I even practiced pressure washer cleaning on this poor one. It also suffers from RX-5100 broken right hinge issue.
Soon 1980 RX-5100F beater surfaced, dirty condition with melted case. Even the dial cord was broken on this one! In theory it can be cleaned-up and restored but due to irreversible heat damage to both front and rear case it's not worth keeping. I even practiced pressure washer cleaning on this poor one. It also suffers from RX-5100 broken right hinge issue.
Yes this one ALSO suffers from RX-5100 broken right hinge issue.
