Akai APW World Receiver Radio

 

Thanks, Ante:

The Akai APW-15 is a world receiver radio alarm clock that is able to search for ultra-short wave, long wave, medium, and short wave signals.

The frequency search is performed by an automatic or a manual station search, or - with a known frequency - via direct input of the frequency. With 600 available presets, the receiver has more than enough memory to remain active while scanning the globe!

An additional feature of the Akai APW-15 is the integrated clock with alarm function (4 alarms).

Should all radio stations cease due to weather conditions, the device can still provide entertainment via the auxiliary input. This allows you to simply connect external components such as MP3 and CD players.

Its small size and lightweight make the receiver an ideal travel companion.

Highlights:

• Compact world receiver to receive FM, LW, MW and SW
• 600 presets
• AUX input for connecting external audio components, such as MP3 and CD players
• Built-in clock with alarm - 4 alarms
• Travel-friendly dimensions
• Large LCD display with orange backlight
• Opportunity to network and battery (power supply / batteries not included)
• Telescopic antenna and wire antenna

Features:

• Connections: 1 x 3.5mm headphone output, 1 x 3.5mm jack antenna input, 1 x 3.5mm mini-jack auxiliary input
• FM bandwidth: 76 to 108 MHz
• Long-wave range: 150-519 kHz
• Medium wave range: 522 to 1620 kHz
• Shortwave range: 3 to 21.85 MHz
• PLL tuner / automatic and manual channel search
• Direct Frequency Entry
• Snooze / sleep function
• Sleep Timer
• Key lock
• Volume control
• Integrated speakers
• Charge Indicator
• Retractable antenna
• Power supply: 6V AC adapter or 4 x AA battery

Included:

• 1 x Radio
• 1 x Bag
• 1 x In-ear headphones (plug)
• 1 x Antenna wire on reel
• User manual in English, German, French and Italian

Dimensions:

• 17.5 x 9.7 x 3cm (W x H x D)
• Weight: 250g

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Comments

[Dave P.]

Any info as to when, where, how much...etc. I like the looks, and I like the aux-in feature. If AM is good, I'm in.

[Dave P.]

Found it. Appears to be Euro only. $100+ seems a tad high. I'll have to wait for some reviews before I take that plunge.

[StarHalo]

Versus the $38 CCrane SWP? Forget it..

[Sailcat]

$37.99 for the CCrane SWP? Ordered!

[RobRich]

Single conversion? Double conversion? DSP? Hmmm. Seems to be no SSB support declared, either.

Akai has a name in the professional audio scene, plus it is now under the same parent company that owns Nakamichi. Those are two recognizable brands in sound IMO.

My concern is the APW-15 could be a rebrand radio, as for some nagging reason, its design and vague hardware specs seem to have a Kchibo vibe to me. Could just be me, though.

[¾ Blind]

Also no MW coverage up to 1710 kHz. which has been a North American standard since when, the mid '80s? Though truth be told I haven't found many interesting stations in the expanded AM band. In 1985 I bought a GE digitally tuned AM/FM pocket radio and was pleasantly surprised to find that it tuned to 1710 kHz. This was my first digitally tuned portable; I discovered it consumed batteries more quickly than a comparable analog tuned portable.

[RobRich]

If you are up for a challenge, Part 15 MW broadcasters tend to prefer around 1600-1705MHz. The allowed antenna system length of three meters under Section 15.219 is extremely limited compared to wavelength, so operators tend to stick towards the upper limits of the AM broadcast band.

I have no local Part 15 MW operators in my area (AFAIK) for groundwave reception at my QTH, and trying to DX a Part 15 MW station via skywave propagation can be a serious challenge even at relatively short distances. Perhaps a high-Q multiple-ferrite tuned loopstick and hopefully an incredibly low local noise floor.

[Tom Welch]

I owned a Nakamichi tape deck back in the mid 1970s, still runs on spec today. I sold the Nakamichi in the early 1980s to a friend.

[Mischa]

I have owned this radio, and finally got rid of it. FM was quite good, with a pleasant speaker sound. MW/LW sounded horrible, in my opinion. LW reception was very weak. Backlit keys were nice, though, more radio's should have this. Construction didn't feel very solid.