{"id":1440,"date":"2011-08-08T09:24:02","date_gmt":"2011-08-08T13:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=1440"},"modified":"2011-08-08T09:24:16","modified_gmt":"2011-08-08T13:24:16","slug":"a-review-of-the-sony-srf-59-cheap-fun-mediumwave-dx-thrills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2011\/08\/a-review-of-the-sony-srf-59-cheap-fun-mediumwave-dx-thrills\/","title":{"rendered":"A review of the Sony SRF-59 — cheap, fun Mediumwave DX thrills"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

The Sony SRF-59<\/p><\/div>\n

A few years ago, I heard a lot of buzz in AM\/Mediumwave radio circles about a small, inexpensive radio called the Sony SRF-59. Discussions were focused on the incredible performance of this diminutive low-cost radio and how it held it own against some real benchmark receivers. Out of curiosity, I did a search on the radio to see what it looked like–I expected some Tecsun PL-like unit–and found that, much to my surprise, it’s a simple, analog, totally unassuming AM\/FM walkman. \u00a0Say, what?<\/em><\/p>\n

The far biggest surprise came with my price search, however. The SRF-59 is easy to find at $14.95 US<\/strong><\/em>. Really, you ask? Oh, yes–and it’s readily available at many online and big box stores.<\/p>\n

So–carefully counting my pocket change–I took the plunge, and bought one.<\/p>\n

The radio came in a basic plastic blister pack, and it also included headphones. I can’t comment on the headphones as I didn’t even bother unpacking them; instead, I plugged my new SRF-59 into my favorite Sony earbuds.<\/p>\n

I have to admit, the AM band on this little radio does indeed shine. Not only is the receiver sensitive and relatively selective (meaning, I don’t hear adjacent signals when tuned in), but it also has excellent audio. \u00a0Amazingly, it lives up to all of the praise I had heard about it. I’m quite amazed, in fact, at how well this little unit can null out stations by rotating the radio body a few degrees. Most impressive.<\/p>\n

Though I’m no major FM radio listener, I can also vouch for its FM performance, which is quite good.<\/p>\n

Pros:<\/p>\n