National Panasonic RQ-445

The RQ-445 (including RQ-445FL, RQ-445FLS, RQ-445FLSD, and RQ-445DS) were radio cassette recorders manufactured by Matsushita Industrial Company of Japan in 1974. All of these versions were similar in size (316.5 mm × 184 mm × 91.5 mm), weight (2.6 kg) and design, except for slight differences in the reception bands. For example the DS version had two shortwave bands and no FM, whilst the FL version had FM and LW bands but no shortwave. The sound quality was very good through the 100 mm diameter loudspeaker, and the Japanese build quality was excellent.

Cost/eBay

The RQ-445 is a very rare iconic 70s radio cassette that I have not seen for sale very often, and the ones I have seen were in bad condition. This was a hand-constructed Japanese radio cassette that you will not find easily and it is usually highly desirable. If you have one in good condition, then it could fetch a packet on the right day, if the bidders are intelligent enough to recognise what it is. A mint condition one, together with the original box can go for well over one hundred pounds and more.

I managed to find this reference unit on eBay and it still had the original factory fitted belt that continues to operate without any issues.

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