Sony ICF-5800L
Sometimes you CAN go back. And it feels good. '
This is my second Sony 5800. It's a model that looks very similar to the 5900 and smaller 5500. And it's a stellar performer on all bands.
I bought my first one a few years ago on E-Bay. It was from a seller in Japan and if I recall correctly, the FM band stopped well short of what we're accustomed to here. It might have gone up to the low 100s----I can't recall for sure. That radio had a large chip in the plastic cabinet that I repaired with Mighty Putty----and painted black to match. The repair looked presentable. The pop up antenna and timer were not functioning on that first 5800 I had, but it hardly mattered. I loved the radio, particularly the excellent shortwave reception. I also liked the fact that while you can always find 5500 and 5900 models for sale on E-Bay, you hardly ever see the rare 5800. I liked the exclusivity.
Stupidly, I decided to see if I could turn a profit on the rare piece. I was on a selling roll----and figured I could make a tidy sum to plow into more radios and always pick up another one "later." Well, I barely broke even on the deal as only one person bid. And before I even boxed it up for shipping, I missed it. I have looked to replace it over the years----and finally, recently, a seller listed my new one as a "Buy It Now" for about the same price I sold my original one for. The auction was only a few hours old and I pounced. I needed to clean this one thoroughly (just as I did my first one), but it shined up very nicely. Once again, I'm impressed with the performance. This one has the full FM band. I can't remember if my first one was simply the ICF-5800 or if it also had the "L" as part of it's model designation. Maybe this one was intended for North America and my first one for Europe and Japan? I don't know.
Sony "No Baloney" did some really wonderful things in the 1970s. Their product quality for portable radios, clock radios and other at-home consumer electronics was excellent enough to justify the higher price. And for vintage shopping, that's still the case. It's worth seeking out these Sony products, even though they're now closing in on forty years old. Fact is, my experience is that these things were built for a lifetime of use and the way I have it figured, this radio has a good chance of outliving its new owner.
It feels that solid, that reliable. It's a radio I can have confidence in, something to trust. Like my Panasonic 888, it will not be sold. I make mistakes----but usually not twice. Keeper. Absolute keeper.
I've always liked the look of the 5800 & 5900. Looks like a high-quality, no-nonsense radio. I would buy one if I didn't have so many similar sized portables already.
On a side note, a Panasonic RF-B300 in great shape just ended - I wanted to bid on it but couldn't pluck down the almost $250 it had bit up to.
Posted by: brandon | October 13, 2013 at 06:47 PM
I always enjoy reading your posts, Angelo. Love the radio, also. Sure looks like a keeper!! I only have a couple Sonys in the collection, both found for peanuts at a local thrift shop. I absolutely love the sound of my TFM-7250W, but the performance is less than stellar. It's one of the many Sony models labeled 'super sensitive', but sadly, it falls quite short of that mark. Still, it gets used quite a bit during the daylight hours, just not very useful for DXing. Also, I completely understand the seller's remorse. I've inflicted that upon myself a time or two. Someday I'll learn...LOL. Enjoy your 'new' beauty.
Posted by: Dave P. | October 13, 2013 at 07:16 PM
Angelo, as much fun as these '70s imports are, the set used as a backdrop in your picture got my attention.
When the new (1960 - '68) Sears Roebuck catalog arrived, right after bicycles and auto accessories I'd go rate the big radios -- Blaupunkt (what a name!), Norden, Phillips, Siemens, etc. The slide-rule dials with backlit names told me Peking, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Brazzaville, Tirana, Mexico City and Monte Carlo were all broadcasting to me, and I had no radio! Torture!
Any pictures?
Posted by: Stu Morrison | October 14, 2013 at 12:02 PM
Stu: Stay tuned. I get a better photo of that monster and send it to Jeff. Maybe he'll post it. I got that on E-Bay a few years ago. I actually had to wake up in the middle of the night to bid---it was from a seller in Germany who ended the auction around 1:00 AM my time. It sounds wonderful.
Posted by: Angelo | October 14, 2013 at 02:10 PM
Hi Angelo
Gerald here from sunny Cape Town, South Africa.
I bought a 5800 in 1983 from a HAM friend who was emigrating to the UK.
I used to be a radio operator in the South African Navy and used it then (and still do)to scan the shortwave bands to read Morse transmissions...mainly from HAM operators...who were just "chatting" about their lives, wherever they lived.
I am now 64 and, in my opinion, it is STILL one of my better "investments".
I am however needing a new aerial (specifically the two top sections) so if you or someone you know could help source a new/replacement/slightly used aerial I would greatly appreciate it.
I will send some pics of the radio and aerial if required.
Posted by: Gerald Aronson | July 13, 2016 at 04:29 AM
Gerald:
You could always check E-Bay but that part might not be easy to find. Maybe you can fashion a custom replacement using parts from a generic antenna?
Posted by: Angelo | July 16, 2016 at 05:53 AM