"What's behind panel #1?"

I wonder if you unscrewed the radio and slid it out, you might find out?

In our 171, there's only a small wire bundle for the radio. 

In the 179, there is no space above the radio. However, there is significant space behind it. On the bed side, the wall space is taken up by the television and connectors for antenna, cable and satellite connectors, and power for the television. On the bathroom side, there is the potential to make a small cubbyhole. I would have to watch out for the vent pipe for the black water tank though. 

My plan is to make space out of it as possible, we will roll with it and decide what the best use is and then I will customize it as necessary. I am going to put a high quality speaker in the cabinet, so the back end of it will eat up some room.  Even if I can make a small space out of it, then that is huge on a 171. We would be happy even if I can just make a place to put a tiny spice rack in, that would be helpful when we go "real" camping later this year. Once parked and set up, the wife would love it if we could throw small shakers of salt & pepper and a crucial spices and herbs - just so she grab them quick. The wife loves to cook, I am the luckiest man in the world!

On my older 171 that whole area (radio and panel) was an open shelf with a net on front.  We stored a ton up there so I don't know why they thought it was a good idea to fill it up with anything.  Also I added a shelf to the area to the right of it which was also useful space.  If they wanted to add a radio they should have put it there.