In reply to our Caveat Emptor post, many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Zack (N8FNR), who writes:
Attached is a copy of the Sony brochure for the ICF-S5W, a photo of the front and also the inside. This is a fairly old rare radio and some of your readers might enjoy the following.
I just wrote to Dr. Vlado asking if he can restore my fairly rare Sony ICF-S5W. Luckily I have three of them, two of which are dead so I could send all three and he could possibly cannibalize them to make one good working rig. I also have an original copy of the manual.
Few people have heard of the ICF-S5W as it was only made from 1980-81. One of the interesting features of the radio is that the Sony engineers put the 16cm ferrite antenna at an angle as they claimed it improved incoming signals.
Many reviewers at the time claimed that it was better than the GE Superradio of that vintage.
If you would like to know more about this radio below are a few reviews.
Thank you for sharing this, Zack. I was not familiar with the Sony ICF-S5W. I love the simplicity of this radio–and that nearly diagonal ferrite bar? I can’t think of any other radio I’ve seen with that!
And having spare “parts” radios is a solid plan if you have a particular radio you love and want to keep it in working order over the long term.
Any other ICF-S5W owners out there? Please comment!