Technical Details
Brand: VEB
Model:RFT BG22
Category:Vintage
Application:Consumer
Electronics:Solid State
Equalization:IEC
Country of Manufacture:Germany
Release dates:1964 - 1967
Tracks:1/2 Rec/PB
Speeds: 1 7/8
Max Reel Size("): 7"
Number of heads: 2
Dimension: 8 x 12¼ x 16¾" (200 x 310 x 425 mm)
Head Composition: Permalloy
Head Configuration: Mono - Full Track
# Motors: 1
Voltage(s): 220-240v
Sound quality rating:4 / 10
Long-term reliability rating: 5/ 10
Additional Details
Description
This one is really rare. It came from an army base and judging by the single low speed and the inputs, it would be a safe assumption that the primary use was for taping telephone conversations.
There are only two knobs, the one on the right is for volume, the left is a mode selector (standby, stop, fast forward). All the other functions operate from the remote control (unfortunately I don’t have the original but have had to substitute).
The picture at right shows the machine with the top cover removed. The mechanics are quite heavily constructed. A bit “Stalinistic” one could say but I guess they wanted it to last.
The full name of this recorder is “VEB RFT BG22”;: VEB being short for “Volks Eigenen Betrieb” or “the Company Owned by the Public” in English. I don’t know what RFT stands for but I know this one is made at a factory called “Messgerätewerk Zwönitz” (Messgerätewerk = “factory that makes measuring equipment”) in the town of Dresden…”
Additional Info
Tube complement: EF86 ECH81 ECL82 / Audio output power: about 2 watts / Inputs: telephone, mike, remote control / Outputs: headphone (mini jack) / Speaker(s): single internal elliptical / Dimensions: 8 x 12¼ x 16¾” (200 x 310 x 425 mm) / half-track mono