Review of the Sony ICF-5500W Coming Soon

I thought my Sony ICF-5900 and my Panasonic RF-888 had sated my appetite for military style vintage radios. Apparently I was wrong. I just won a bid for a Sony ICF-5500W for $77, not bad if the radios is in as condition as it appears. Perhaps its lack of SW kept the price low.

My Sony ICF-5900 arrived with a 6V adapter even though the radio says it requires a 4.5. I therefore don't use it. My search for a trusty AC adapter with correct adapter tip and the appropriate polarity switch, for the RF-888, has thus far been a feeble one. Even Radio Shack failed me--three times. 

I suspect I'll have better luck scanning travel websites as their universal travel AC adapters appear to come equipped with polarity switches. Then the matter of the right fitting tips . . . 

Update: Thanks to Ed, I now have an AC adapter that works with these vintage radios: It's the Philmore Universal AC/DC Adaptor 900mA. Model No. BE240

Comments

[Paul]

Ed,

I assume all will be well, using an AC adapter such as the BE240 (800 or 900 mA) with a radio that requires only 600 mA; correct?

Thanks

Paul

[Ed]

Correct. The radio draws only as much power as it uses. The problem occurs when the supply is less than the demand, ie if the adaptor could only supply 400 mA.... That could lead to overheating and/or distorted audio, etc.

[jeffrey McMahon]

Ed found me a universal adapter from Signal Hill Electronics. Thus far, I haven't used it with the 5500. Instead, I'm using batteries. The radio is so small, I doubt it will eat batteries very quickly.