sony: Sony ICF-110 series - How many variants were released?

The information on this Sony ICF-110 radio series seems to be scarce when looking to the Internet. Any additional information would be welcome.

According to some Japanese websites where some enthusiast fellows write about these series, there were three variants, with a short lifespan:

• ICF-110 released in 1969 and ceased in 1970
• ICF-110B released in 1970, ceased in 1971 with the release of the ICF-1100
• ICF-110W released in 1970, seems to be the internation version of the domestic 110B

The ICF-110 and ICF-110B were basically identical, but the 110 used a brushed aluminum body with black speaker grille, while the 110B and 110W were all black in color despite using the same aluminum material over the plastic case.

The 110 and 110B models share the same specifications with the color exception mentioned above:

• 1 x IC, 11 x TR (10 NPN Si, 1 JFET) 
• FM/SW/MW  3-Band Superheterodyne
• Frequency Range:
  • FM: 76-90MHz
  • SW: 3.9-12MHz
  • MW: 530-1605KHz
• IF:
  • FM: 10.7MHz
  • SW/MW: 455KHz
• Battery Supply: 1.5Vx3 UM-2, Size "C" Std Flashlight Battery
• Sony Corp. Tokyo Japan

The 110W share the specifications with the 110B with the exception of the FM band. According to the service manual front cover, at least two versions were made, the USA Model and the General Export Model, both sharing the same specifications:

• 1 x IC, 11 x TR (10 NPN Si, 1 JFET) 
• FM/SW/MW  3-Band Superheterodyne
• Frequency Range:
  • FM: 87.5-108MHz
  • SW: 3.9-12MHz
  • MW: 530-1605KHz
• IF:
  • FM: 10.7MHz
  • SW/MW: 455KHz
• Battery Supply: 1.5Vx3 UM-2, Size "C" Std Flashlight Battery
• Sony Corp. Tokyo Japan

The service manual front cover lists respectable sensitivity figures for such a modest single conversion portable radio - FM 2.5uV (8dB) at S/N 30dB, SW 1uV (0dB), MW 32uV/m (30dB), for 50mW output. The large ferrite antenna taking up practically the entire width of the chassis certainly contributes to better MW reception.And the use of an extra FM RF amplifier stage with an FET certainly gives an advantage in FM reception.

 

To thank the Author because you find the post helpful or well done.

Hello Jose.

Yes, these are different models that should be created separately or be described differently in comments.

Frequency Range:

• FM: 87.5-108 MHz
• SW: 3.9-12 MHz
• MW: 530-1605 KHz

Frequency Range:

• FM: 76-90 MHz
• SW: 3.9-12 MHz
• MW: 530-1605 KHz

Regards WB.

To thank the Author because you find the post helpful or well done.

Hello, Wolfgang,

Thank you for your comments. Apparently there is a mix of 110/B with 110W pictures in this page, despite the title being focused on the ICF-110W.  

I recently acquired two 110W units, both with issues, so a little investigation led me to find out about the popular 110 and 110B versions popular in Japan.

 

To thank the Author because you find the post helpful or well done.