Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bob Butterfield, who shares the following guest post:
The SONY ICF-8000
By Bob Butterfield
As many radio enthusiasts have experienced there are some pieces of equipment that come and go for a variety of reasons. Many times, there are regrets about radios or accessories that are here one day and then gone another. Years ago, I was gifted a Sony ICF-8000 “Super Sensitive” FM/MW/SW portable radio. My ICF-8000 was one of those that “went.” To tell you the truth, I am not actually sure where it went off to! In those days I used my “Super Sensitive” radio on vacation trips, on the back deck, and for local MW/FM and casual SW listening. When a new position with the Government necessitated relocation, I left this radio behind at my parents’ house where it was regularly used by my mother in the kitchen. That is when things get fuzzy. Suffice it to say that I am not sure what happened to it.
As far as I can determine, the Sony ICF-8000 is a close relative of the earlier Sony TFM-8000W, another “Super Sensitive” model. What sets them apart is that the Sony TFM-8000W has the Public Service Band (PSB) and the Sony ICF-8000 does not. The ICF-8000 has its SW bands spread out into 4 bands: 1.6 to 3.5, 3.5-7, 7-14, and 14-26.1 MHz. In contrast the TFM-8000W has a slightly shorter SW frequency range split into three bands: 1.6-4, 4-10, and 10-22 MHz. Both radios have continuous coverage with no gaps from MW to SW as well as FM. These radios are almost identical in appearance. Other than the PSB and three SW bands on the TFM-8000W, the only other visual differences from the ICF-8000 are how the bands are arranged, identification of the Public Service Band on the face plate, and the addition of an on/off squelch toggle switch for the PSB. Internally the TFM-8000W has a couple more semi-conductors. In line with these two radios is the older Sony TFM-1600W “Super Sensitive” which came out circa 1971, has its own distinctive but similar appearance, and is set up like the ICF-8000 with FM/MW/SW.
A while ago the “I used to have that radio nostalgia bug” hit me, and I have been searching since for a decent ICF-8000 to purchase. Sony TFM-8000Ws in decent shape are up for sale on eBay on occasion, but I was looking for the ICF-8000. Finally, I spotted one recently (which was listed as a TFM-8000W!) at a price and condition I was comfortable with. After negotiation with the seller, I purchased it. There is some useful information on the Web about the Sony TFM-8000W. Jay Allen has a good piece on this unit worth checking out. The Sony ICF-8000 appears to be much harder to find, information on the Web is skimpier, and I am not sure how long they were produced. It is quite possible that its production run was limited. Manufacturing likely started in 1976 when it probably replaced the Sony TFM-8000W. One reference I located on the Web listed the ICF-8000 being made as early as 1974 but provided no source. I also found evidence of at least two versions of ICF-8000s being produced; one with a switch located in the battery compartment allowing multiple different voltages including that for Japan, and one operating on 120 volts only. The corresponding model number identification panels on the rear are annotated accordingly with voltages available. Both versions have “FM/AM Multiband Receiver” lettering on the face plate. Sony, like Panasonic, often tweaked models for domestic and foreign markets, adding or modifying features to fit those markets accordingly. If anyone has more information on these models, year(s) manufactured, availability of free manual copies, etc., drop them in the comments section.
The Sony ICF-8000 I purchased was in very good shape having just some minor imperfections showing on the faceplate paint. No cleaning was necessary, nevertheless I gave it one. All switches were quiet and functioned as they should. A nice feature of the ICF-8000 is its exceptionally smooth tuning mechanism which utilizes a flywheel. In addition, on my radio, the tuning scale is practically spot-on on all the bands. Not usually the case in an analog set of this type forty-five plus years old. When added to the fact that the SW frequencies are spread out in four bands instead of three, tuning is easy. The presence of a fine-tuning knob is a nice touch and can be useful. Also available is a tone control knob, signal/battery strength meter, a lighted dial, AC/DC capability, external antenna connection, world time calculator wheel (at the rear on the battery compartment cover), and a dual FM AFC and AM Broad/Sharp bandwith control.
Nostalgia aside, the Sony ICF-8000 has provided reliable performance on all bands so far. MW sensitivity is adequate while SW reception is above average using the built-in telescoping antenna which measures 44 inches (111.75 cm) in length. I did a limited shortwave reception comparison in the 49-meter band between the ICF-8000 and the Panasonic RF-2600 with its 37 inch (94 cm) built-in telescoping antenna and found the Sony performing equally with the Panasonic; at times even better perhaps due to its longer antenna. When connected to an external 75-foot (22.86 meters) longwire I found the ICF-8000 shortwave reception to be particularly good. I did not experience any overloading, nor did I encounter multiple images. The sound was, as others have attributed to the TFM-8000W, “mellow”. If this is not to your liking on the shortwave bands the tone adjustment is useful. Noise levels were well tolerated. I suspect that the Sony TFM-8000W would perform similarly.
Is the Sony ICF-8000 a fantastic DX machine? No, it is not. Is it “super sensitive”? Maybe not “super,” but definitely above average, and surely sensitive enough for general listening. Is it an attractive, affordable classic, easy to use, and sturdy radio with decent performance that can hold up through the years? I think so. Does it bring back fond memories? Absolutely!
When the first week of May arrives,my TFM 8000W radio will be 50 years old.
It is obvious if something is made properly and the customer takes care of it,it shall last for many years.
I only had to get a new antenna and get fishing line used so the channel bar can move left to right and right to left.
Only some of the black paint is missing.
Other than that the radio looks brand new and still sounds as good as the first day I got it and listened to it.
I don’t own either model but I do have an ICF-5500W which is similar to the TFM-8000W in that both have public service band (PSB). One thing I noticed is that received bandwidth on PSB is quite wide, possibly the same as FM broadcast. Eg, I can receive VHF marine channels 13-16 at the same time. Curious to know if the TFM-8000W is similar in performance on PSB..
I’d never heard of this radio until some years ago when I read Jay Allen’s excellent post (about the TFM version) mentioned above. The flywheel tuning especially fascinated me, since it seems like a VERY rare feature for portable radios then (and ANY radios since). I have to imagine that even if it’s not a pure DX machine, it must still be a real smoooooth treat for bandscanning (on all bands!) with that true flywheel tuning. I am looking forward to experiencing it myself one day if I ever come across an affordable example in my travels. I enjoyed this post very much, thank you!
Hmmm… My National Panasonic RF-2900 has the same problems as your DR49. Completely different radio I know. I changed a bunch of caps out but no help on HF. Practically dead. I have a RF-4900 and RF-4800 that are still going strong. Not bad for a 50 year old receiver.
I would like to make a comment on the above radio,not the Sony,but the National Panasonic.I did own the RF 26 model,then soon after the RF 28 was produced with a few more features.To this day I still own a RF 28,but not my original one.This one I bought at a radio market to replace the earlier one I traded up to a DR 49,but has lost its sensitivity on HF bands but AM and FM still do very well.Its now only a Collectors radio on my shelf. The DR 49 I owned for 10 years up untill the brass fingers all wore out and curled up inside the sliding band selector,that was a sealed unit on the circuit board,was one of the best analog receivers with digital frequency read out, Ive ever owned and it was so heavy,I called it the “Black Beast”,as the heavy metal case was indeed black.But right up untill the radio was of no futher use on HF bands,it was the most sensitive and reliable radio I had ever owned,compared to other receivers I have owned,such as the portable Sony IC 2001 D of which always gave problems .My IC 2001 I still use, which is the earlier model has never given any problems except the digital screen is very small.Sony did their very best in producing fine portable receivers but did not design the digital frequency screen big enough.