BACKGROUND:
Yes, yet another radio receiver ...
Perhaps you are asking yourself "why on earth would I want one of these old transistor radios?"
Think about it ...
"Natural" disasters happen and they are becoming more frequent and severe ...
Often the first things to go are your internet access and domestic power supply - that's the end of your home internet (Alexa, Google etc goes to "sleep" just when you need them the most!) and no more television or other AC power connected devices are working to keep up to date with what is happening around you.
Mobiles often cease to work, network conjestion or worst still ... the network redundancy systems fail to operate - no more network for data or communications. Even if you are running your home on Solar power, that's not much good when the internet is down somewhere else (burned down or washed away communication towers as an example)
Next, you might say "Oh easy, I will just go out to the car and listen to the radio" Damn! Is that your car is now floating down the street?, completely water logged or a large gumtree is now lying across the centre of the car! So that avenue is closed off ...
You are now saying to yourself "what the hell am I going to do now? I need to know what the SES, ABC Emergency radio network is telling me to do" Should I stay or should I go (Hmmm, there's a song about that!)
A very good place to go BEFORE THE DISASTER is the ABC frequencies website HERE
Enter your postcode and a drop down list of various methods of communication will be shown to you. WRITE DOWN the AM and FM frequencies so you know where to go when a real emergency is occurring - be prepared.
Radio is the one communications medium that "keeps on keeping on" in times of need!
This is where your trusty old portable analog transistor radio comes to the rescue!
NO need for domestic power because it has its own battery supply
Completely PORTABLE so you can take it up to the roof of the house while you wait for the floodwaters to subside (or for you to be winched off the roof!)
Of course you can use it to listen to "every day" AM broadcasts and FM music stations (not stereo though) but it's real importance is as an emergency means of finding out what is happening in the world around you during a natural (or unnatural) disaster.
SONY AM-FM Portable Radio Receiver
Model: ICF-506
Current model on the Australian market
Power: 3x 1.5V internal batteries OR AC power
Completely analog technology i.e no station memories or similar features
Built in extendable whip antenna
3.5mm headphone socket to the side
Supplied in the original box along with the AC power lead, basic instructions and even the warranty sheet.
I have only used this receiver one time, as part of an evaluation across a number of basic AM-FM portable radios and now that task is completed, it needs to find a new home.
After taking the photographs, everything has been carefully placed back into the box and then sealed - it is practically "like new" in all respects ... I have even left a little sealed pack of 3x AA batteries inside the box for use with this receiver.
This receiver is perfect for use in remote areas where modern forms of communication may not be working i.e bush fires or floods. When such natural disasters occur, it is often the case that internet or mobile data based systems fail and you need to go "back to basics" using analog technology such as this portable receiver.
No fancy bells and whistles, mono sound and just your basic Station Tuning and Volume controls and of course OFF-AM-FM switching. Unfortunately there is no back-light if you were using the receiver in the dark though.
Basic controls with ease of use in mind, only a Station Tuning and Volume control provided (no extras such as tone controls are provided)
The overall design is all about simple functionality, no PhD required to "drive" this receiver, just turn it on, tune into your local ABC Radio News station so you can get updates about the disaster that surrounds you!
TESTING:
I have only used this receiver one time, for the purposes of an evaluation report and then it has been sitting in the box ever since.
Works perfectly on both AM or FM ... plenty of sensitivity and on FM, when a strong station is tuned in, the Red LED turns on to indicate the receiver is "locked" to that station.
The Green LED next to this is only a power indicator, normally it will light up Green.
The built in loudspeaker gives plenty of volume or you can plug in an earphone or headset (mono sound only) for private listening.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED just ... (for all intents and purposes, "as NEW")
Very clean
NO scratching to any part of the receiver body.
NO damage (from knocks etc) to the casing, the flip out handle or the extendable telescopic antenna.
After my photograph taking, I have now sealed the receiver within a clear plastic pack along with the manuals and the AC power lead plus the 3x AA Alkaline batteries for portable use. Everything has been placed correctly inside the box and the box once again tape sealed across the top.
