Sony ICF-506 Analog Tuning Portable FM/AM Radio, Black, 2.14 lb

This is a solid basic radio. The AM and FM work fine. The AM receives the local stations but it doesn't really pick up any distant stations. In other words, it isn't a radio for DXing. The speaker is fine, a little tinny compared to larger units but that is to be expected. It's a nice, simple, easy-to-use radio that will be fine for listening in small rooms (kitchens, workshops, offices etc.) and it will be useful in an emergency if you lose electrical power. Because it doesn't have a digital display, the battery life should be better although I, personally, haven't tested the radio using battery power. I feel the build quality is better than the other Chinese portable radios but I don't have any empirical proof for my statement just a history of good experience with Sony products in the past. Whether it is worth $20 to $25 dollars more than the listed portable radio competitors is a decision I really can't make for anyone else. I'm comfortable with my decision, though.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED *w/Caveat*Good clear full range sound. Loud, but could be a couple notches higher but very good for most uses. Good listening experience.Easy to tune for most stations *see Caveat below*Battery life is not great, but 3xAA batteries will probably last 3 + 8 hr days of listening at least. Maybe up to a week depending on listening volume. Using rechargeables (not chargeable in the radio) will ease the outlay of battery cost.Great sizeEasy to carryConvenient, effective antennae.AM reception = awesome!!! Twist the radio as needed & you can pull in stations with the best. Ferrite antennae is about 4” length.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!CAVEAT- tuning is solid & precise BUT dialing in & licking in a weak station is fiddly. You must turn dial back and forth over the General station until you finally get a signal. Then as you listen carefully, turn continue to turn dial very slowly until finally the red light shows locked. There is an art to this, but once a weak station is locked, it won’t drift.

We live in the country, on the side of a hill, a high hill, an almost mountain. And this hill-mountain has a lot of rock ledge. So, no surprise radio reception in my kitchen on the back of the house, nestled up against the hill, is just about nil…well, almost.When I first tried plucking stations out of the air in the kitchen we plugged in our Bose Wave. Two stations showed up — the local church’s channel and another Christian Rock channel in the next town… and sometimes NPR — but frequently none came in on a rainy day.Next we pulled the old boom box out of storage and tried that. Even less luck with that.Then, we bought a cute little Sony, little brother to this radio, and it did better than Bose or boombox, but it was necessary to augment its sound with an additional Sony speaker. And tuning the little radio was always an adventure…actually more like frustrating and a bummer. And then there was the extra wires and having to replace batteries…yada, yada…So I started reading reviews on larger, plug-in radios, paying attention to thumbs up on better reception, sound clarity, and tuning. I decided to try this Sony, and wow, the reviews were right! Really easy manual tuning, unlike most analog models. Really, t he radio seems to have some assist from a digital sync on signal. And, this baby has good reception on about 12 stations, and otherwise, middling reception for about 8 more. I was blown away. That’s about five times the stations I was pulling in on that wonderful and expensive Bose Wave!And the sound, for a not-expensive radio, it has clarity and balance I didn’t expect. No fuzz! Crisp clear highs and lows. Love it!So, now I get to cook and wash dishes to tunes again! Glory be! (For some reason, cooking without music is just not as much fun.) Thanks Sony and Amazon for making this radio available.

This is as good as portables get I guess. Loud/clear I like the tuning light that goes on when you're right on station. My favorite FM station is a bit unclear but its clearer than my car radio. Most stations are very clear. Maybe it's a five star radio but its the only one I've had in 35 years, except for my car radios, However I was hoping for more from my favorite station, although it still comes in pretty good.Easy to use but a bit FM sensitive. Best if its sitting still, move and anything can happen. Ive been told thats typical for FM portables. Also you dont know what station your on, for instance you see 88 and 92 but there are 5 stations in between, which one are you on? Also typical for a $50 radio.The am/fm switch could be designed better. You may not know if you got it on AM or FM. Its a slide with minimal indication which mode your in, Am or FM, should be a turning knob with a click sound so you're sure.The construction is strong, the handle is built very well. Its very attractive, gives you confidence it will last.All in all a good companion on rainy days or sleepless nights. Glad I bought it.