Customer Reviews

Sony ICF-SW07 AM/FM Shortwave World Band Receiver with 100 Memory Presets

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Hello folks , its Vince the radio man with another review for you . I've been a radio buff for many years , I have a large collection and I love to do side by side compares . The Sony SW07 is the replacement model for the discontinued SW100 . In my review of the SW100 I knocked it abit because of the price and the overall sound quality from both the internal speaker and the headphones ( ...and no, I dont need a new pair of phones) .... the SW07 is an improvement in this area , however , still high priced . Both radios are wonders of the modern world ...so small yet so powerful and functional . The SW07 is a little larger than the SW100 ( thank goodness for those of us who have large hands and fingers ) and I find it to be a bit better in the dynamic range department . Tuner selectivity and sensativity about the same . The 07 and the 100 are sold as kits . The come with an active antenna . I find the antenna with the SW07 is far better than the 100 . Also , the SW07 is built much more durable than the SW100 . The layout and button functionality is easier to use and better thought out . Also , a much nicer, clearer visual display with a luminescent blue background .As far as other miniatures on the market ( Sangean ATS 606, which is much cheaper , is about the best after the SW07 and SW100 but not in the same class ) ...there are really no other competitors . If you're looking to spend a decent buck on a quality shortwave set and small is what you need , look no further . If you like a full size set and have a few more bucks to spend buy the SW77 ( which is the King of all radios!!!! ) ...if not the SW07 is surely the Prince.

I received my ICF-SW07 from Amazon.com just in time to assist with hurricane Katrina recovery in Louisiana in September 2005. I took it with me, and it performed very well. My ICF-SW07 came with an external amplified antenna along with the manual, earphones and a carry bag.
I often assist with disaster relief with my company, and I needed a small radio to get news & listen to local amateur radio stations. With storm damage, power is always out and we don't get any information except what's on the radio. I also record local news and digitize for playback at headquarters for later analysis.

To listen to amateur radio in the high frequency (HF, or 150-30,000 KHz) spectrum the radio requires single sideband (SSB) capability, a feature most shortwave radios lack. Better radios insert a carrier in the RF signal, re-creating the double sideband format before stripping the audio information. Cheaper radios insert a tone into the audio signal, usually resulting in poorer audio quality (like the earlier DX-394's).

The ICF-SW07's strong points are good reception, small size (obviously), decent audio and very wide tuning range (150-29999 KHz + FM broadcast). It's still on its first set of AA batteries, so it isn't a power hog.

The amplified antenna is very effective, and works very well in hotel rooms. It has a clip for temporary attachment to curtains and a suction cup for direct window attachment. The antenna connects to a controller, and the controller connects to the ICF-SW07 through a short, non-detachable -short- pigtail lead. While it *does* work, it's a little unwieldy for someone sitting in a car trying to balance both the radio and the controller on one leg. I would like to see Sony make some provision that allows the controller to snap onto the bottom of the radio, even if the pigtail lead design stays.

There are a few points I'd like Sony to improve:
-First, the single sideband (SSB) fine tuning point isn't "remembered" in the memory, it recalls the approximate area. This means it requires fine tuning every time you recall an SSB station from memory. I have an 80's era Ten Tec radio that doesn't have this issue, so it isn't rocket science. I suspect this is caused by Sony's technique-they may be converting the SSB to normal audio in the audio output stage rather than at the RF level, distancing the SSB conversion from the memory.
-Second, the Sony ICF-SW07 doesn't have any signal strength meter, so there isn't any way to distinguish between a weak signal and an overloaded front end.
-Third, the record out jack appears to have a higher than normal output signal, because it overloads the front end of my tape recorder. I haven't had time to investigate the cause of this yet. An attenuator or pad will likely be the best solution.
-Fourth, there is no tuning knob or wheel. Tuning is done with a rocker switch control, and fine tuning is done with a smaller rocker switch. It -does- work, but I'd like to see a rotary tuning control even if it's another thumbwheel.
-Fifth, the display is crude by Sony standards. It's a simple LCD alpha-numeric display, the top half of which is a world time zone map. I would like to see the world map replaced with a selectable meter function, like a band scope/signal strength /carrier center meter.
-Sixth, the scan stop points aren't programmable. The ICF-SW07 will scan the entire band (factory preset), period. Also, in SSB mode it will scan the entire HF spectrum (150-29999 KHz) nonstop! This is the only HF receiver with scanning capability that lacks this obvious control. Again, I have many HF radios that have programmable scan stops.

I've given this radio 5 stars, although I'd grade it more like 4 1/2. Sony should have included programmable scan stops and integrated the SSB setting with the memory, both items well within their grasp.

Summary: I'm very satisfied with my ICF-SW07, it does the basic function I wanted (small, broadband received with SSB). It makes a nice, portable HF listening post. Despite the points (above), I wasn't able to find anything better at any cost. The cost prevented me from buying one sooner, but I finally got one. Given how slow Sony upgrades, I doubt anything better is coming anytime soon. So, for now it's the top-of-the-line pocket HF radio.

-------Three Years Later-------
February 13, 2009:

Batteries-the antenna amplifier batteries are really old, I think I might have changed them maybe once. It uses very little power, it could probably do just fine with AAA batteries. The radio batteries have been changed several times, but battery life is very acceptable.

It's still going strong, but I discovered a weak point in the radio case design. The telescoping rod antenna anchors inside the case, and is captured by a single screw. About a year ago, this screw loosened, causing the antenna to "wobble" a bit. Tightening the screw solved this. A few days ago, the antenna was wobbling again, but this time I found the screw boss area torn off. In other words, the screw had torn off the entire area in the plastic case where it once bore, leaving a hole the same size as the screw head. I was able to recover all the pieces and glue them back, approximating the original screw hole. However, I know it will break off again. I looked into replacing the lower case half, Sony wants _$68_ for a piece of gray plastic. No way, Sony. When I have more time, I plan to cut out the hole oversize and put a small metal plate in to reinforce the antenna base. Stay tuned.

TRICKS AND MODS
Also, I discovered a neat trick. I bought a cheap auto FM converter cable, intended for MP3 players. One end goes in the cigar lighter, the other end into the headphone jack of the MP3 player. The car's FM radio then plays your favorite MP3 songs. The Sony ICF-SW07 has this same headphone jack, so I can use my car's audio system to listen to shortwave. This makes reception *much* easier, since the audio quality is much better, louder and better distributed. I use this while waiting for one of my kids after school or at a lesson somewhere. If you want to try this, make sure the engine's off. Automobile engines make a *lot* of radio frequency interference up close, so don't be surprised if you can't hear much with the engine running.

The active loop antenna screen annoyed me just a little too much. It acts like a sail, catching the lightest zephyr and carrying the loop antenna off the pole, car antenna or what-have-you onto the ground. Plus, it really stands out, not a good thing if you have an expensive radio and you wish to keep it. I removed the loop antenna case halves, unsoldered one side of the loop antenna. I pulled the Sony "Sail" off entirely. Good riddance. The next problem was wire management. The actual antenna is a length of wire captured inside the Sony Sail, and a flat spring steel fish spring (like the kind inexpensive imported pop-up hut toys use) acts as a former. I grabbed a section of used military parachute cord, cut it to the same length as the antenna hoop and pulled the core strands out. Next, seared the parachute cord ends and pulled the antenna wire plus fish spring through the 'chute cord cover. Soldered the antenna connection back and reassembled the case. Perfect fit, and a lot less obtrusive. It doesn't sway in the breeze, nor serve as a gaudy advertisement for Sony. Sorry, Sony...you can afford to pay for your advertising like everyone else.

I have had this radio for about 7-8 years(x-mas present,thx honey!) its been on backpacking trips, motorcycle trips and listened to almost every night when not globe trotting.I have had ZERO problem with this radio or antenna system.
it picks up everything you wanna hear, pulls out faint stations,petitely sips battery power and fits in your pocket.for what its worth i'm a licensed ham radio operator.I have owned many shortwave portables
most I would NOT buy agian. this one and my Sangean ats818 I would buy agian in a heartbeat.

only cons;it needs a constant "screen light on" function and a power switch on the outside(not under clamshell)lighted buttons would be a nice improvement also.

this is my goto Armageddon radio, buy one if you can find one!!

After obtaining a SW07 some years ago, I have recently
been able to use it more frequently, including trips to
the beach here on the East coast of the USA, and other
locations.

I own or have owned virtually every shortwave radio ever
produced, from SONY's and Grundigs to Panasonics and Sangeans.

SONY's version of SYNC mode was superb, seen first in the
famous ICF-2010, and later included in such smaller portables
as the SW-100, 7600GR, and the SW07.

In short, the SW07 is probably the best SONY ever produced --
it exceeds the capabilities of the old SW100, and its SYNC
performance is absolutely superb -- lock on solid. As well,
on my unit at least, it's fully possible to utilize regular
LSB/USB tuning with no off-frequency distortion due to calibration
offset.

In terms of sensitivity, both the SW07 and the 7600GR are
hands down fantastic. I do a lot of tuning on the beach,
with both receivers hooked to solid state recorders, using
only the whip antennas.

I have had no problem whatsoever bringing in such DX catches
as Radio Rwanda on 6.055 before sign off at 2100 UTC, various
Horn of Africa stations, and Radio Mali in the early East coast
evening on 5.995.

Had SONY decided to put its SYNC option in the old SW55,
which itself is a great radio, along with a bit of a fix
for that radio's warbling SSB reception, the 55 would have
been what the SW07 turned out to be years later.

For die hard shortwavers, receivers such as the SW07
are still in frequent use, even as shortwave broadcasting
enters its final years -- or tucked safely away in the
original box!

Watch out!
treated this radio with kid gloves,used it very carefully and not often at all.
Felt very dissapointed the day i extended the aerial and felt it turning round and round and round;broken.hardly had it a year.
For the price I will not replace with a Sony and instead go with the cheaper Kaito or Grundig/Eton.
Sony doesn`t deserve another major handover of hard earned $$$`s.get it right Sony.
A very useful and handy radio that fitted great in a pocket and was what I was looking for.
but for that amount of money better quality please.
The SW Listners Handbook review stated that this was precisley a problem so I took extra care being aware of the potential.
Sony goodbye...

This is 1-nice portable SW radio its small but packs a lot of power for its size i love mine.