Text: Radio enthusiasts.
The ICF-SW77 is the first person of the ICF-2001D, but unlike other receivers, it does not have an aeronautical band.
1. Basic Information
The ICF-SW77 inherits the same dimensions as the 2001D, and although its sides are rounded, it is still very easy to grasp, thanks to its excellent design. The machine used four C-type batteries, and unlike the 2001d, which used three large D-type batteries, the 2001d also needed three penlight batteries as a backup power source for the microprocessor portion of the radio. Since the battery of the ICF-SW77 is smaller, the battery does not last long. At normal volume, listening to AM can last for about 14 hours. So if possible, you'd better use an AC power adapter.
The sound quality of the ICF-SW77 FM stereo is better than that of the 2001D, but the noise of the amplifier is very noisy. Clearly, the ICF-SW77 was designed to get rid of the mechanical channel memory buttons and create an electronic notepad that could store the station's text name, frequency, and mode. Sony brings this design to the receiver to provide a way for you to search for pages backwards and forwards. It's not surprising that you can choose as often as you want. At the same time, the machine also retains the manual tuning knob, which is now called the "shuttle tuning" control. In AM mode, you can tune in 50Hz steps. The frequency display accuracy is 100Hz.
It is important that you can set the internal clock to the correct local time and enter the time difference from the standard international time. Because the radio already has the frequency tables of 26 stations stored in advance when it leaves the factory. In the August 1991 test, the synchronization noise of the ICF-SW77 was significantly higher than that of the 2001d, especially in the medium and long wave bands. Sony has improved on this, and since the summer of 1992, all ** radios have not had this problem.
The 162 memories provide you with a huge database of listening notes, and it's fairly simple to update this data once you've read the manual. The buttons on the front panel of the receiver all have a sharp outline, which is very convenient for visually impaired users.
2. Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages are: easy tuning, FM stereo, preset radio, better sound quality than 2001D, single battery, preset frequency information can be updated.
The disadvantages are: in the 1991, 93, 95 evaluations, the noise of the amplifier was too high. Especially when listening to FM stereo programs with headphones; There is no reception in the 116-116 MHz airband as in the 2001d; Some of the presets are not at the correct frequency. The channels of the Italian radio stations were wrong, and the VOA did not use these given channels.
For new users who are using the machine for the first time, the manual is too difficult. In particular, the description of the quick page operation and the programming of the clock needs more explanation, and some suggestions are missing: for example, find the current UTC time, all international radio stations give the time UTC GMT
3. Power supply**
Sony, along with many other Japanese companies, introduced new DC power outlets into its radios. Its center is positive, and the color and size of the socket depends on the voltage required by the radio. The supply voltage of the SW77 is 6V DC, which is distinguished by a yellow socket. If you have an old-fashioned power adapter where the power supply is plus or minus the opposite, don't worry, this plug won't fit in at all, so there's no chance of a mistake at all.
2001d is often complained of having a "metallic sound", especially when receiving a local FM station. The evaluation of sound quality is a very subjective process, but the vast majority of people agree that the ICF-SW77 is fuller and richer than the sound of the 2001D. The speakers are larger in size and elliptical, with independent treble and bass adjustments, and you can get enough volume for both AM and FM.
Fourth, the hissing amplifier
If you want to listen to local premium FM stereo with the ICF-SW77, the annoying hissing sound coming from CD-quality headphones is annoying. In our tests in 1991, 93 and 95, the noise level of 77 was much higher than in 2001d. Sony said that the products that came out after 1997 were much quieter.
5. Tuning
The 2001D has a 32-key matrix keyboard on the front panel. Worryingly, these are some memory keys that allow you to store the frequencies and modes of your favorite stations by pressing only 2 keys. So you have to find a piece of paper to write these down, like A7. The obvious SW77 was to get rid of these mechanical memory buttons and create an electronic notepad storage method that could memorize the name, frequency, and mode of the station.
There are a total of 6 versions of this machine on the market. The full-range version provides continuous AM coverage from 150 kHz to 30 MHz and FM from 76 to 108 MHz. It can receive AM, USB, LSB signals, and the synchronous detection function SW77 of the 2001D has been retained. In some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, SSB covers and 285 to 531 kHz, frequencies above 26100 kHz are removed, and there are some restrictions on products sold to Italy.
6. Shuttle tuning
It's not surprising that you can choose as often as you want. At the same time, the machine also retains the manual tuning knob, which is now called the "shuttle tuning" control. In AM mode, you can tune in 50Hz steps. The frequency display accuracy is 100Hz. When you toggle the tuning knob, you can still hear the sound of the station.
It is important that you can set the internal clock to the correct local time and enter the time difference from the standard international time. Because the radio already has the frequency tables of 26 stations stored in advance when it leaves the factory. I mean, this machine stores not only the frequency of the radio station, but also the schedule of the broadcast. Sony claims that the preset frequency of machines sold in Europe is different from that sold in Asia and North America. This is reasonable, and about 80% of the European version is correct. You press the button on the BBC or VOA and you can hear the broadcast most of the time. Some of the big radio stations have a lot of transmitters at different frequencies, for example, the BBC uses different frequencies such as 9410 and 6195.
Some European radio stations, such as Sweden and Denmark, have also been programmed to preset frequencies. Even though you may not receive it outside of these countries. Luckily, you can not only increase your favorite frequencies, but you can also change these preset frequencies, and you can use the manual tuning button to select different letters. This radio also has a flexible clock that is more versatile than the 2001d7. Excellent performance
When we compare the ICF-SW77 with the ICF-2001D, the SW77 is more convenient to switch sidebands in the simultaneous detection mode. Both receivers offer a narrowband AM mode, which is especially useful when you're listening to a station that has a 5kHz difference in interference.
8. Summary
If you're expecting higher reception performance from this machine than the ICF-2001D, the conclusion is that there isn't much difference between the two machines, and although the SW77 has better sound quality and better tuning, it doesn't help with reception. The 162 memories provide you with a huge database of listening notes, and it's fairly simple to update this data once you've read the manual. The buttons on the front panel of the receiver all have a sharp outline, which is very convenient for visually impaired users.
All in all, it's an excellent machine, and you do get a lot of good technology in exchange for the best of Sony's tuning convenience, which sells for £400 in Europe.
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