The Sony ICF-SW7600G (Photo: Universal Radio)
This is a guest-post by Eric, WD8RIF.
I’ve had my Sony ICF-SW7600G for almost twenty years. Early on, my very young son broke the receiver’s telescoping whip antenna and it was a simple and inexpensive matter to order a replacement whip assembly from Universal Radio, the Sony dealer from whom I had purchased the radio.
Recently, the receiver’s antenna failed at the pivot-point. First, the factory-supplied countersunk screw’s Phillips-head stripped out through repeated attempts to tighten the pivot over the years until finally I had to replace the screw. The best replacement screw I could find was a 2mm x 6 Allen-head screw from an R/C hobby shop that appeared to work fine until I managed to strip the antenna’s threads through over-tightening this screw. (Perhaps the Allen wrench simply provided too much torque for such a small screw.)
Clearly, it was time to actually buy a replacement antenna. This turned out to be easier said than done. Universal Radio is no longer a Sony distributor and has no access to parts for Sony products. A visit to the Sony website disclosed that service-parts are handled by two other companies, neither of which could provide the antenna—a surprising thing to discover since I think the antenna used in the ICF-SW7600G is the same part which is used in the current-model ICF-SW7600GR. A search on Amazon disclosed a seller offering the part for over $52, far more than I wanted to pay. Perhaps belatedly, I thought to check eBay where I found several listings, some offering the genuine Sony part shipped directly from Japan. I was intrigued, however, in the listing by stone_deng (link) who offered a non-OEM replacement antenna, shipped from Virginia, for $16.80 with free shipping. The description claimed the antenna was a perfect-fit replacement. Figuring the price would make this a good gamble, and because I wouldn’t have to wait weeks for delivery from Japan, I placed an order for one on a Monday evening and the postman delivered the antenna to my mailbox the following Friday. (I noticed as I was composing this post that stone_deng has raised the price for this antenna to $19.90 with free shipping.)
In comparing the replacement antenna with my original Sony part, the only difference I could see is that the metal tip of the replacement antenna is of a different style. Dimension-wise, the two antennas appeared to be identical.
Installation of the new antenna was simple. A single screw secures the antenna to the radio.
Remove this screw and pull the antenna straight out of the receiver.
It should be possible to slip the new antenna into the hole, twisting it to properly line up the mounting-flange, and run the screw back into place. In my case, the new antenna insisted on snagging on something inside the radio and I ended up removing the rear-panel entirely to install the new antenna rather than try to force the antenna into place. Fortunately, the rear panel is easily removed.
Remove the battery-cover and the four AA cells. Remove the five black Phillips-head screws that are marked on the rear panel with arrows. The rear panel will then lift straight up. Insert the new antenna into its hole, lining up the mounting flange with the screw-hole, and insert and tighten the screw. Carefully place the rear panel into place, lining up the four screw holes, and insert and tighten the five screws. Re-insert the AA cells and replace the battery cover.
I’m hopeful that this non-OEM antenna will prove to be rugged but time will tell. If this antenna proves to be inferior than the original in some way, I will post a follow-up to this post.
Obligatory disclaimer: I don’t know stone_deng, and I don’t have any financial interest in his company or products.
Eric McFadden (WD8RIF) is the author of this post and a regular contributor to the SWLing Post. Click here to visit Eric’s website which features QRP operation. Eric is based in Athens, Ohio.
Hi guys,
Did someone know where i can find a replacement antenna for a icf sw55 ?
Can’t find one on ebay or others web sellers.
Cheers
On a 7600gr, is it difficult to replace the antenna?
Hi folks!
The antenna problem on ICF-SW7600G / 7600GR is widespread. I own 5 of these radios, and only a single one has a perfect antenna. Well, here are some hints:
Do not , repeat not, put excessive torque on the tiny screw fixing the telescope to the rotating joint.
Yes, the tiny copper washers are a mandatory fixing . They ensure a stable position without (!!) applying too much torque to this joint.
Do not try to replace the body-mounted swivvel without removing the back-cover. There is a contact-plate attached to the case mounted flange which connects this antenna to the main board. Don´t let this little spring loaded gimmick go astray in the innards of the radio.
The rotating joint sometimes does not rotate properly with acceptable torque applied. If you try to turn the antenne forcefully, the body-mounting may break away, and then you have real problems.
I have fixed the stump of the body-mounted part with high performance 2-component-glue to the case. Be careful, if you try this. Put the back cover on end and apply the liquid glue with caution. Don´t overdo it. Allow sufficient time for the glue to harden.
Incidentally, I happen to own nearly every Sony shortwave receiver made from 1965 – 2005. In the true portable range the above mentioned models are the best.
vy 73
R.C.Lichte
Thanks, R.C! These look very good hints and I’ll keep them in mind the next time I need to fix one of these antennas.
73,
Eric
Just wanted to say thanks Eric for sending this bit of info to Thomas for posting. I received mine from stone_deng yesterday and have stored it in my Sony SW-7600GR’s go bag as insurance against a future need.
Has anyone found a replacement antenna fir a Sony 2010?
I’ve looked everywhere, but haven’t had any luck.
Thanks for the tips. My SW7600G had its whip antenna accidentally broken by a cleaning lady. After sometime trying to find a replacement, I was advised to get a DE1103 whip antenna which is different in shape but fits perfectly. I found it on ebay and used it to replace the original one. So far so good.
As the antenna loosens over time, would inserting a thin washer/spacer be a better option than just trying to keep tightening the screw?
Hello, KenL.
The original antenna already had a pair of very thin washers at the pivot. Any replacements would have to very thin, thinner than I’ve seen at a hardware store. Perhaps something thin enough is available at a hobby shop or other specialty store.
An alternative would be to get a 2mm screw long enough to leave threads exposed, and use a nut on the exposed threads to “clamp” the swivel. This is actually the first thing I did when I stripped out the head of the screw in my original antenna, but I used a locally-available non-Metric screw that was small enough diameter to have a clearance-fit through the threaded portion of the antenna, and using the original pair of very thin washers. It worked well until I eventually over-torqued the screw and broke the head off. A 2mm hardened screw, such as the one I got at the R/C hobby store, but in a longer length, might work in this application. I might actually try this with my original antenna, the next time I find myself near that R/C hobby shop, and keep it as a spare if it works.
I can’t see if my non-Sony replacement antenna has thin washers sandwiched in the swivel–and I’m not going to loosen the screw to find out 🙂
Eric
Eric,
I’m glad you were able to find a replacement. Are you able to tighten the screw on the OEM antenna better than on the original? I have a GR and this seems to be a systemic problem with the antenna flopping over and you just can’t get the screw tight enough to prevent it. I think it might have been better if the antenna telescoped out of the case instead of using the swivel attachment. I have a couple of Worldband radio’s with the telescoping antennas that are 40 years old and the antennas are fine.
Hello, Ed.
I presume you mean the non-OEM replacement antenna; i.e., the non-Sony replacement.
I haven’t tried to tighten the screw at the swivel yet. At this point, the swivel seems tight enough to keep the antenna upright when I’m using the radio’s back-stand.
The problem you describe is what ultimately caused me to replace the original antenna–I destroyed the screw-head trying to tighten it and them stripped the threads with the replacement screw.
Eric
Hi Eric,
Yes your right I meant the replacement antenna. I’m thinking it might also be possible to drill out the hole a bit to use a larger longer screw and nut. I have some micro hardware left from some kits I built years ago which may fit the bill. A project for another time. 73
Ed KI4QDE
I bought the same replacement antenna for my 7600GR from China. I do not need it at the moment, but it was quite cheap and I wanted to have this little insurance for one of my favourite radios.