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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following guest post:
SONY ICR-N20 Quick Review
by Carlos Latuff
In the last century, several Japanese electronics manufacturers such as Sony, National-Panasonic, Hitachi, and Sanyo produced radio receivers aimed at the Japanese public and which had a peculiar characteristic: they came with crystal lock, preset frequencies from Radio Nikkei, which in the past was known by the acronym NSB (Nihon Shortwave Broadcasting) or “Radio Tampa”. For more information about this station, check out this post.
One of these models is the Sony ICR-N20, which, based on the date of the instruction manual I found on the Internet, must have been produced in the late 1990s. The device measures 150 mm × 75 mm × 36 mm and weighs 400 grams (with batteries). It has a 6.6 cm speaker (8 ohms) and a headphone output.
This device is analog and operates on the following frequencies:
Shortwave:
NSB1 3.925 MHz, 6.055 MHz, 9.595 MHz
NSB2 3.945 MHz, 6.115 MHz, 9.760 MHz
MW: 530 kHz ? 1.605 kHz
Currently, Radio Nikkei only broadcasts on two frequencies: 6.055 and 6.115 MHz.
It has a 7-segment telescopic antenna. No input for an external antenna.
It works on electrical power (DC 4.5 V) or 3 AA batteries.
As it’s primarily intended for the Japanese market, the buttons and dial panel are written in Japanese.
I have no complaints about the selectivity and sensitivity of the Sony ICR-N20 when it comes to medium waves. At night, in Porto Alegre (in the extreme south of Brazil), it was possible to receive (indoor) stations from Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina, but due to its proximity to these countries, this is not such a difficult task. It’s not a receiver for the most ardent DX fan, but it does a good job of being a radio for regular, everyday listening.
In the case of shortwave, I was able to receive the signal from Radio Nikkei 1 and 2 close to the Guaiba waterfront. The signal from active frequencies is weak, but audible. With favorable propagation, the reception is sometimes surprising. Following the instructions in the instruction manual, I used a long wire antenna for better reception.
In my region, the most favorable propagation window is between 08:45 and 09:15 (UTC), and yesterday, for example, February 7, 2025, the signal reached well until 10:00 (UTC). On other frequencies, it is even possible to hear other stations, such as China Radio International, and even amateur radio interference. Remember that this is not a radio receiver with all shortwave frequency bands, but only those in which Nikkei Radio 1 and 2 operate.
Here are some of the listenings made with this receiver.
Part of Argentina’s Radio 2 news bulletin (in Spanish), 1230 kHz AM, listened in Porto Alegre in a Sony ICR-N20 receiver:
“Gender violence in Argentina, according to a new report by the Observatory of Femicides in Argentina, Adriana Maricel Zambrano, 28 women were victims of gender violence in Argentina from January 1 to 31, 2025.
Trump received Netanyahu and stated that the Palestinians have no alternative but to leave Gaza. The President of the United States met with the Israeli Prime Minister and shared his vision of the situation in the enclave. They are there because they have no alternative…”
Full “Nikkei Electronic News” bulletin (in Japanese) from Radio Nikkei 1, Japan. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
– Trump’s first round of tariffs
– Trump intends to meet with PM Ishiba
– Road collapses in Saitama
– Heavy snowfall expected in Tokyo
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Carlos Latuff, who shares the following Radiofax news via the Kyodo News Agency. Carlos Notes:
“[No survivors] 28 bodies recovered.”
Headline from tonight’s Kyodo News Morning Edition. Radiofax received in Porto Alegre, January 30, 2025, 23h00 UTC, 16970 kHz.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist Carlos Latuff, who shares illustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio Nikkei 1 report focusing on the aviation disaster that took place today at Reagan National Airpot in Washington DC.
Carlos notes:
Part of Radio Nikkei 1 “Nikkei Electronic News” (in Japanese) about the plane and military helicopter crash near Washington. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil.