30 years of Sony portable shortwave receivers - a review of my collection

Hi there, I happened to have most of my vintage Sony SW portables out the other day, so I thought it might be interesting to line them up in chronological order and record a video. I'm fortunate to own most of what I would consider to be the important models - two of which are down to the generosity of very good friends. Thanks for watching.

[@pontuspilot]

I started DXing in 1978 and bought a National Panasonic DR 28, which I still own. When I saw the Sony ICF-2001 I was absolutely gobsmacked. I just had to have it and got it in the early 80s. I lived and still do in a very RFI infested apartment. Two years ago I took my 2001 out to a mountain and stretched 20 meter of copper wire between some trees and started scanning. It was a fascinating experience. I have always liked Sony products a lot. To me they stand for quality and innovation.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Hi there Mats, like you I was gobsmacked when I saw the 2001 in 1980. Until then I thought the Binatone Worldstar was the best radio ever. I've not DXed outdoors with my 2001 as yet, but I have with my 2001D.....one of the best portables of all time. Before Apple, there was Sony! 73! Clint

[@luissaavedra5948]

Awesome collection greetings from the super ancient megalithic antidiluvial city of TIAHUANAKU BOLIVIA 🇧🇴

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thanks Luis.

[@sparkie119]

you have the best collection of Sony shortwaves I've seen anywhere, I own an ICF 2010 from 1992.. Bought it brand new. Fresh out of the box.So to speak.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thanks Paul!

[@yarabamba]

What a collection of radios. Some belong to the pantheon of best receivers of all time. Congrats. I only have the ICF 2010 bought the year it was discontinued.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Most of them are great - I'm fortunate. 73

[@MarkHirstSWL]

Anecdotally, it feels like those radios came from a 'golden era' of design and innovation at Sony, and the 'Made in Japan' label on the back always harks back to better times.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

I agree Mark. I always say, before Apple, there was Sony. It was 'THE' consumer electronics brand when I was a kid. 73! Clint

[@shortwavesurfer]

Beautiful collection!....Sony did a marvelous job on all their products in particular the short wave receivers where they invested huge design and development resources which few other manufacturers did. The end result has been a long line of visually and ergonomically beautiful products...the Air 8 and its Siblings stand out to me as one if the funkiest but beautiful radios I have in my collection...and still looking out for a CRF V21 ....available on Ebay for $10k....😳

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thank you! Agree on the CRF V21....loads of money but soooooo beautiful lol.

[@b.2221]

Lovely collection of the most important radios for Shortwave listening from one of the most innovative manufacturers of radio. Very apt and fitting line of radio's for a radio Guru such as your good self Sir, and nicely offset with the flag's of the world a nice touch indeed. Thank you for the privilege of seeing your fine collection 👍 Tam.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Hello Sir, thank you very much - and thank you again for one of them in the collection! 73! Clint

[@b.2221]

@@OxfordShortwaveLog Likewise 👍 Tam.

[@xmenken1]

I hope your collection will keep growing. There are still lots of vintage Grundig and Sony out there.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thanks Ken!

[@mutezone]

Excellent review & many congrats on your collection. I did not realise the first 2001 was bigger than its successor. Only when you had them side by side I could then see the difference. I thought I spent more than I should have when got my 2001D a few years ago, about £100. Now that would be considered a bargain unfortunately, as have other Sony shortwave radios since they have stopped production entirely. You did the same thing as me with your 7600G, I had a 7600GR some time ago which I sold then bought another one a few years later. Seems there are some things we cannot let go. 73s!

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thank you! Yes, the original 2001 is a bit bigger than the 2001D. Ah yes, you wouldn't buy another 2001D for £100 these days - more like £200 - and much more if you have the orignal box and accessories. I won't ever sell any of these radios - well not unless I go completely broke lol. These are all keepers now lol. 73! Clint

[@marcosmza1962]

Beautiful and representative collection. ♡♡♡♡ 73!

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thank you very much Sir! 73! Clint

[@RingwayManchester]

Fantastic collection thanks for sharing

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thank you very much Sir, as always, it's my pleasure, 73! Clint

[@below30mhz84]

What a wonderful collection. I understand perfectly that the ICF-2001 left you blown away when you were a kid. Very nice design and that white lettering at the base makes it very sexy. Thanks for sharing Clint.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thank you my friend! Indeed, the 2001 looked like it came from a science fiction film when I first saw it in 1980! 73! Clint

[@tonymagnier9846]

great collection there, Clint. Sony was king of sw radio.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Sony was the king of electronic consumer goods before Apple....

[@sunnylm2045]

@@OxfordShortwaveLog I love all Sony shortwave radios, do you know the reason why they left most electronic including shortwave and Sony Vaio laptop?

[@ronaldzuccala1889]

Wow. Thats all that really needs to be said. Im still calling my tecsun s 8800 the best sw receiver i own out of 25 radios and thats including my yeasu 450 d transceiver and thats saying something as the 450d costs 4 times as much as my s 8800. And. I know people hate to hear it but my little eton sat is right up there with the best. Thankyou. Happy newyear. Ron. Z. Pgh. Pa.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Hi there Ron, thank you very much much! As you might know, I have the S-8800 and the Eton Satellit. In my experience, the Eton just edges the S-8800 out on absolute performance. The audio on the S-8800 is far superior though. 73! Clint

[@anthonycosta1776]

You must have had a bad 450d because the Tucson 8800 is not all that great. It’s okay because of that slick remote but it’s not great tuning SSB. And the selectively is fair to good.

[@philireland1678]

Love the radios Clint, a great collection indeed. I enjoy my Sonys and strangely, I often return to the ICF-2001. I hope things are ok with you and you're staying safe. I hope 2021 inproves for you guys in the UK. Cheers...... Phil vk2gjf

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Hey Phil, long time no speak - hope you're ok and keeping safe my friend. Thanks for dropping by - it's been too long. 73s, Clint

[@mcdus78]

Sweet collection. I have the SW7600GR and SW22. I’ll buy the EX5MK2 soon!

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thank you very much! 73! Clint PS the EX5MK2 is superb - check out B's channel.

[@mcdus78]

Oxford Shortwave Log Sure I will! 73!

[@vtechead1]

I had the Sony 55 showing in the video and the one to the left of it. Sent out SINPO results to stations across the globe, and was amazed at what they would send back to you. Some would send a thank you postcard, signed by the presenters, others would send metal badges and little flags with the name of the radio station on it. Best package I got sent two years running, was from Radio Beijing, which was hard to receive where I lived at the time. It included six magazines that I couldn’t read 😂 metal lapel badges, flags, postcards and signed photos of the presenters. Happy days till most of those faraway stations closed and went to internet. Found a small local radio station in Australia for around five minutes on the skip one morning and got a card back to the UK from them. Used to laugh when I received any replies from small stations in Russia. The envelope or package was always delivered ‘open’. Obviously been checked by the authorities to see if I was a spy ! Happy days and long hours many years ago now.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Great memories - thank you very much for sharing. One of my subs kindly sent me an envelope full of radio-related stickers a few years ago. That had the customs tape sealing it - they'd opened it to check the contents! 73

[@vtechead1]

@@OxfordShortwaveLog 👍

[@raymondmartin6737]

Very nice review. Been to Oxford, UK in 1979, and 2013, very interesting place. Had the 2001, around 1980, ok receiver, being an early digital receiver. Also the 2001D, known as the 2010 in the US, a few years later, which was and is still very good, though I heard that static discharges to it can damage the RF portion of the receiver. I did have a 7600 too, in the silver color. I just bought a used, refurbished Sony ICF-SW1S small portable receiver, which was replaced by the 100 model that you have. I was born in London. during late WWII, and to the US in 1949, on the Queen Mary. Cheers, W2CH.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Hi there, thank you very much for your comments and background - really interesting! They often say you shouldn't meet your heros - well the original 2001 was my childhood hero and when I finally bought one from eBay a couple of years ago I wasn't overly impressed I have to say. Sensitivity was modest really and the ergonomics a bit clunky. The 2001D of course is a completely different story! When I got mine second hand about 5 years ago it was a game changer in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. Still one of the best ever portables. I guess your SW1S has been re-capped - lovely little radio, as is the SW100 but the hinge to the battery comparment lid has broken on mine unfortunately. By the way, my Dad was born in 1949, in Porto! Keep safe Sir and 73s, Clint

[@chrispalmer9838]

I picked up an ancient Sony ICF-32 at a boot sale last weekend for the princely sum of one pound. With a wipe over and switches cleaned it worked like new. Sony are to radios what Honda are to motorcycles...

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Definitely Chris!

[@SangiTariq]

Best Collection of Sony Radio

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thank you very much Tariq. 73s, Clint

[@dieselten01]

Awesome collection. Thanks for sharing

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

My pleasure. Thanks and 73! Clint

[@paulobezerra6025]

Brother você tem uma bela coleção de rádios da Sony,mas falta alguns aparelhos pequeno,porém muito importante são,Sony icf sw 20, 22 e o Sony icf sw 11,rádios sensacionais,de uma qualidade única,Sony.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Obrigado por seus comentários meu amigo

[@ShortwaveRadioChannel]

Interesting, nice and impressive collection. Thanks for sharing, Clint. 73s, Ralf

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Hi there Ralf, thank you very much! 73! Clint

[@dxace1]

My view: the 2010 reigned supreme for a long time, and for good reason -- it's still superb, though prices for them have gone to unjustifiable levels. But the SONY 77 is actually just as good, especially where SYNC is concerned, though its tuning knob is an issue that requires one to make use of the scanning function more than usual...the SW55 is the sleeper of the bunch....excellent sensitivity, just lacked SYNC, which would have put it near the top.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Hi there Dan, thanks for your comments. From my own experience, I would have to disagree with you on the SW77 and 2001D. The 2001D edges out the SW77 on absolute sensitivity and effectiveness of the SYNC. There's not much in it though. I agree on the SW55. A super radio with excellent wide/narrow filters, but lacking SYNC. Interestingly, the SW100 is as close in performance to the 2001D as the SW77. Just needs the audio delivered via a Bose SoundLink Mini or similar. 73! Clint

[@GorkhaliBro10]

Impressive collection!

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thank you very much! 73s, Clint

[@carlosroldanondacortashort555]

Nice collection! What do you think about the Sony ICF 7600D? Mine has been working since 1985.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thank you very much Carlos! I think the ICF-7600D is a very robust radio. Was this the model known as the 2002 in the USA? It's the original 2001 in a smaller case I think. 73! Clint

[@sunnylm2045]

Great collection Clint! Sony ICF-SW77 is the only one that I need to add to my collection, but people are wanting too much on eBay 😔

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thanks Sunny.

[@josemsantamaria1985]

Buenas tardes. Son estupendos los radios Sony. Yo tengo el 7600 DS es estupendo. Lo tengo desde 1990.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thanks

[@alexeizhiltsov6797]

Nice collection, but I would definitely add some more fantastic models from Sony. First of all, Sony Icf-1000T - despite the addition of a cassette recorder, this radio outperforms Sony ICF-SW55, having a nice sync detection on board and being of the same size. Then, Sony icf-sw07. Seemingly similar to sw100, it outperforms it having much more advanced schematics. The Sw7600 series would be more interesting had 7600 without letter index, 7600ds and 7600da been added, as well as 7600gr, being the last in line. Sony icf-Pro80 and Air7 are another intersting line of models in Sony digital radio. Of course, these are only digitial, thus skipping Crf-5900 Earth Orbiter and other analogue models, but all deserve to be in a collection. I do not regret I have found them all and they are masterpieces for the time of production. 73 de R2ARM!

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Hi Alexei, thanks for your comments! I agree regarding the ICF-1000T. I have wanted one of those for a long time, but they are rare. I have read that the SW-07 performance is about the same as the ICF-SW100? I'm sure you are right though. One thing, I much prefer the styling of the SW100. Thanks again and 73! Clint

[@alexeizhiltsov6797]

Clint, thank you for your answer. My comparisons show that SW07 is definitely more sensitive and selective than sw100. Sony improved schematics. But you are right - the design of the radio is awful, resembles cheap Chinese silverish radio. So, I wonder whether it is actually worth being kept except for taking it for trips. I would say that Sony radios are in a sense very stylish and reflect a single approach to design, this being seen on 7600, sw55, sw77, sw100. Regarding performance some were beaten by more modern rivals - putting transceivers aside, I would say that Eton E1 in my view beats them all, except on mw lacking magnetic antenna. But that is not important - with the available performance coupled with fantastic design Sony radios are worth being kept and enjoyed as to their operation. As a small advice, please have a look at sw7600ds, it is a miniature copy of icf-2001d, with different performance of course. 73 de R2ARM!

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Hi Alexi, thanks for your reply. Indeed, the SW-07 styling does look very cheap. I also agree that the styling of almost all Sony SW radios from the early 80s is very similar - and copied by Sangean - later and Panasonic earlier. I used to own an Eton E1 and I would agree with you again - in my experience that radio is slightly better than the ICF-2001D - which is the best portable radio Sony ever made. Close in performance is the SW-77 and not too far away is the SW100. Thanks for the tip on the SW7600DS - I will take a look. I'd prefer the 1000T though! 73! Clint

[@alexeizhiltsov6797]

Clint, thank you for your reponse! What I do not like in sw77 is its muting upon tuning. Makes me totally mad. This was not present in 2001d and Eton E1, but still sw77 looks great. I keep them all, just unable to part with any radio I bought. It is like a desease. As for 1000t the disappointment is its casette part - the belt goes out and I just could not make it work with allmy attempts at replacement. It is not that I need the casette part, but it should be fully functional, and that is hard to achieve. Everything so tiny inside, so I decided I wait a bit before next and final attempt. 73! Alexei

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

@@alexeizhiltsov6797 Thanks Alexei. So how good is the performance of the 1000T receiver? How do you rate it against the 2001/2001D/SW55/SW77 etc.? I'm still thinking I would like to get one of these. I hope you manage to get the cassette player part of yours working finally! Thanks again and 73! Clint

[@sunnylm2045]

Hi Clint, just let you know about ICF-2001 the sensitivity is quite amazing it's pretty comparable to 2001d, the only thing it has no sync, but to be honest I hardly used sync these days. I dont see any issue with noise as you mentioned, I have been use it around the house everyday and I love it. Infact the sensitivity and signal stability is better than Tecsun pl-680, check my comparison video. 73

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thanks for your comments but I totally disagree with you - the 2001 sensitivity is nowhere near the 2001D...no comparison...with or without synchronous detection. 73

[@sunnylm2045]

@@OxfordShortwaveLog well I have to disagree with you Clint, I owned two of 2001, one is sensitive than the other maybe due to age, so I have been using the newer one almost every day now and I compared with the 2001d, the sensitivity is pretty much close. In fact I love the 2001 on the AM adjustment dial which give you an extra boost the signal without twist the radio around 📻, 73

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Well maybe my 2001 was performing below par, but I doubt it. Whilst the 2001D is universally regarded as the best SW portable of all time - along with the Eton E1, the original 2001 is regarded as having only modest performance - both sensitivity and selectivity. Anyway, the most important thing is to enjoy it! 73

[@in3yks]

Very nice collection!

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thank you my friend! 73! Clint

[@BALBIRSINGH-qf5ft]

I like this channel

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thank you! 73!

[@ArthurJS123]

As I’ve said elsewhere, and often, the ICF-2010 is a good, not great, radio. I’m spoiled by owning several great desktop radios, which the 2010 cannot begin to rival. Sync detection is ok, but it’s not a magic bullet. The synthesizer chuffs in manual tuning. The audio is just ok, it should sound better than it does. A noise limiter or blanket would be nice. Sensitivity is ok, but once again, I’m spoiled. Overall, I like it, I don’t love it. And am continuously baffled as to why it still has a cult like devotion.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Hello Arthur, thank you very much for your comments. Based on my own experience, I would have to disagree with some of your comments. Other than the Eton E1 (which I have also owned) the 2001D is more sensitive and selective with better SYNC than any other portable I own or have ever owned. That includes the PL-880, S-8800, Eton Satellit, SW55, SW77 PL-680, etc. etc. As you will know, the Tecsuns and the Eton have no properly working SYNC anyway. I also own some desktops that the 2001D can rival - the IC-R75, and FRG-7700/8800. It doesn't rival my NRD-525. I think the bottom line is, for about 20 years it was clearly the best portable SW receiver on the market. Other than the E1 which is marginally more sensitive and benefits from PBT, it's still up there with the best portables on offer today - and still better than nearly everything. That's why it has a cult following. Thanks again and Happy New Year! 73!

[@ArthurJS123]

Oxford Shortwave Log I do often feel spoiled by my desktops. My ear and experience are very well tuned to discern differences between radios. And despite the performance of this, and the Grundig Satellit 800, which I also own, I’d take my R71A, R2000, and Yaesu FRG7 over them. But that’s just me. I have never been particularly fond of sync detection. It works on both my Sony and Grundig, but it’s no magic bullet, and is only useful under a limited set of conditions.

[@medo123345]

👍👍

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thanks

[@061811]

very nice collection, sw55 design is ahead of its time.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thank you very much and indeed, the SW55 was ahead of it's time - with the overall design and the internal speaker. 73! Clint

[@elio9207]

Would you write down a list of your collection? Thank you from sweden :)

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

I sold some but still own: ICF-2001D, 2001, SW77,SW55, SW100, 55...I think that's it

[@elio9207]

@@OxfordShortwaveLog thanks. A question mate! Is those listed radios a transistors radio?

[@shademanirvanipour6870]

I for the world band receiver ICF- SW100 and I paid £27.00 for it from a charity shop in London few years ago

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Great price! 73

[@qadeerkhan6577]

Thank u sir...plz tell me which radio is best Sony ICF 40 National Panasonic R312 Silver 3s72...plz

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

The ICF-40 or sure.

[@qadeerkhan6577]

Thank you bro🇵🇰

[@NotisParmenion]

🎉

[@lio90991]

such a treasure indeed. The problem with Sony in general is its fragility, nevertheless it is a great brand.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thanks very much. Only some are fragile. The 2001D is pretty robust. Others suffer from the dried up capacitor issue unfortunately. 73! Clint

[@lio90991]

+Oxford Shortwave Log thanks indeed.

[@Kw1161]

I had the 2000 in 1980 and sold when I bought my National Panasonic 2800, as I was in the Us Navy then and 2800 lasted a long time, but the Sony was a battery hog. I had a ICF 7600D until Dropped of a roof....I bought a 2010 just when I got out of the Navy in 1985 and still miss it. About 10 years ago I bought a ICF 6800W off EBAY and regret that I didn't by it in 1980 instead of the portable as it is a true DX machine with just a telescopic whip and work a very long time on batteries. If Drake had made their TR7 set as a portable, it would have been a Dream receiver. The Mars stations antenna was set up between two 400 Kilowatt radar antennas and it rejected their interference completely, were as it was a task to find a spot to listen the SWL stations without the screeching of the radars and other radios on the ship overload was unheard of on that radio. Nice collection!😀

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Hi there, thank you very much indeed for your comments! You clearly know your radio hardware and have owned some great sets! Imagine a modern version of the 2010 but with a spectrum scope and waterfall ...with the original synchronous detection circuit and audio filtering....wow! Keep safe Sir and 73s, Clint

[@Kw1161]

@@OxfordShortwaveLog Thanks for the reply. A modern 2010 with a OLED display and built-in decoders would be my dream receiver for a fine DX machine, but it looks like Sony has stopped making most SWL radios.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Yes that's correct, Sony isn't in this market any more which is a great shame. 73s

[@elio9207]

is those radios a transistor radios?

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Yep!

[@elio9207]

@@OxfordShortwaveLog how is that possible to be a transistor radios. Its digital. The Transistors radio was produced until then 1970. Did sony still at the 80-90th produced digital and transistor radio in the same mothersboard? Im new to this and trying to learn.sorry for my stupid questuons but need to know. :)

[@boris2342]

where did you get your world map?

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Bought it for £3 I think - you can get it online probably

[@JESUSCHRYSLER5512]

@@OxfordShortwaveLog **I IMAGINE YOU PUTTING ALL YOUR RADIOS IN A LARGE CARD BOARD BOX AND VOMITING IN SAID CARDBOARD BOX AND TAKING A VIDEO OF YOU VOMITING ON YOUR RADIOS IN THE BOX. THEN, POSTING SAID VIDEOS ON YOU TUBE. PLEASE DO THIS SO IT WILL MAKE MY SHITIFUL LIFE A LITTLE BETTER!!** --- ROSEANNE BARR

[@allansr100]

Superb collection. However I’m seeing some gaps? Are you discussing more later? In thinking ICF 7600A (as allegedly issued to BBC foreign correspondents, although this may be an urban myth), ICF SW20 (shirt pocket radio) and the iconic ICF 5900. I do accept I may be biased towards style over performance!

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thank you very much Allan! Of course there are gaps, but some of the most important models are here. 73! Clint

[@chef1arjunaidi]

What? you don't hv the iconic spy favourite ICF SW-1?

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

I don't think the SW1 is an iconic spy radio - that accolade would go to the 2001D/2010! Keep safe. 73s, Clint

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thanks for the link! 73s

[@agustiana1247]

Ok....bos

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thank you my friend. 73!

[@AbdulWahab-yn1pg]

Sonay radio icf-55 hear im whant

[@sunnylm2045]

I recently pick up one from ebay absolutely love it, it so intuitive to use especially the turning knob:), Also quite sensitive as well

[@BritishBeachcomber]

Despite using SDR nowadays, I still love my ICF-SW2001D from 1995. But I need to strip it down to fix the intermittent keypad - dreading that, not a nice radio to work on.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Totally agree Peter - the ICF-2001D is a classic - and a keeper. I'll never sell mine. 73

[@shademanirvanipour6870]

You got over £4.000 worth of SONY radios

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Thanks - I'm not sure it's that much! 73s

[@nortonclemente5187]

I call that illnesses

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

Lol.

[@arucasdx]

Wanderful video publish on my page Sintonia Gran Canaria regards city sound.

[@OxfordShortwaveLog]

I just looked at your webpage - very nice! 73!