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If possible, I would RATE THIS ITEM 3.5 STARS I've had the Sony ICF-36 radio for over 4 years. I usually have to go back moments later to re-tweak the knob at least once. The AM scale marker goes from 800 - 1000 - 1300, and the FM goes from 96 - 100 - 104. I've also noticed that this radio is very sensitive to multipath interference, hence works best when people are not walking about the unit.In terms of sensitivity and pulling in the weak stations, I find it better if the antenna is fully extending for FM. The audio quality is about as good as one might expect from a low cost radio. AM sensitivity is about average and helps at times to rotate the radio for better reception and less noise. In general, the radio I have is a tad tricky to tune on both the AM and FM as the selectivity in this radio is not very good. The AM & FM frequency scales on this radio are of marginal value because of the course scale markers.
Being on the other side of a small ridge makes picking up radio signals in our area challenging, but the Sangean ATS 909 I have never seems to have an issue, AM or FM. That sort of comparison maybe a little unfair.Tuning, because of the friction in the tuning wheel system and small wheel rotation ratio makes first time spot on tuning for both AM & FM a bit of a hit or miss. In our area we have allot of stuff between 800-1300 AM and 96-104 FM so a finer and longer frequency scale would be very helpful. Compared to a similar GE radio I had, the Sony sounds better and easy to listen to.I do not use the TV or Weather bands and cannot comment on them.Minus half for FM tuner quality.Minus half for AM tuner quality.Minus half for tuner knob mechanics and easy of tuning.
I know there is just 1 speaker but the sound should still come thru both ear pieces. This Sony portable is Okay, but when I used earphones the audio was only in one ear. I tried several other headsets and had the same results. I did not return the radio or contact the seller since a few months had passed when I discovered this. Boo.
At the time I ordered the radio I made a stupid oversight by assuming all radios are now digital tuning. This radio requires you to tune in stations with a knob and is extremely difficult to keep on a station. As long as you are extremely close to a radio tower I am sure it gets good reception but otherwise I do not recommend. I would never buy another dial set radio.
THIS WAS PURCHASED FOR MY 85-YEAR OLD MOTHER. SHE LOVED IT BECAUSE IT IS SO EASY TO OPERATE AND THE SOUND IS FANTASTIC.
Anyway, if you buy it, test it immediately on your local stations. I don't know how other people can rate this radio highly.
I'm next door to LA county in Southern California. I bought this radio from Amazon.
The same station comes in perfectly on my car radio. A major station such as KFI comes in very poorly (with noise).
The AM reception and tuning are not very good. Maybe there is some variation in manufacturing.
If it works, I'm happy for you.
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