| W6LBV |
Rating:  |
2024-05-14 | |
| "Recalled to life" |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I purchased the receiver new in 1992, to be used as a broadcast radio for a small apartment in a distant city where I holed-up during the work week. The 2010 filled almost all of my limited needs, providing excellent broadcast reception and a bonus of shortwave and some ham radio listening. The air-band wasn’t needed at that location. The 2010 just “fit!”
I used the radio solely with the supplied a.c. adapter and the internal, collapsible whip antenna. All worked very well and the Sony brought me considerable listening pleasure. One unfortunate day, however, an inadvertent bump toppled the radio from its shelf location. It fell onto the floor, and when I retrieved it the radio was silent. It was “gone.”
I opened and examined it, and discovered that the internal battery contact posts had been jarred loose, no longer making contact with the batteries. Even worse, a small corner of the main PC board had broken off and was floating loose in the cabinet. The loose chip contained five hair-thin conductor traces. Reluctantly I packed up all the various radio components and put the package into storage for “future repair” work.
Fast forward now, more than twenty years. During a visit from a younger ham friend, I spotted the boxed receiver in my storage area. Since this fellow thrives on the challenges of repairing electronic equipment, I asked him if he would like to take a shot at bringing it back to life. He immediately agreed.
When he brought it back to me some weeks later, he said that he thought that he had successfully fixed the damage. Still, he said, it didn’t operate for him. What he didn’t know, however, is that the radio has an absolute requirement to have two AA batteries always installed within in it; these batteries are “keep alive” for the internal microprocessor, clock, and memories. As soon as I installed new battery cells, the clock began operating and I then knew that my well-loved friend was alive again!
I felt as though an old friend had returned from a decades-long absence. Even though I now own additional radio equipment which will surpass the 2010's performance in every aspect, and though there is no unique remaining task for it to do these days, it’s satisfying just to see it sitting on the bench, to turn it on and watch the LEDs glow, and to listen to and to tune the bands. Nothing has ever truly replaced this radio for me.
Other than the internal repairs, this radio is “original issue,” no upgrades have been done and they probably won’t occur in the future. Once one accepts the fact that the little portable isn’t a Hammarlund HQ-180 or a Uniden digital scanner, its performance is fine for use in a large metropolitan area. Ham SSB signals can be tuned with some care. Enhanced AM synchronous detection occurs, but more elaborate receivers probably do an even better job. FM broadcast reception is more than satisfactory. Air-band reception would be fine when one is using the radio port-ably, near an air strip.
In its day, Sony made and sold thousands of these radios. Even today, with more modern technology and cheap mass production products, the ICF-2010 still holds it own against its modern cousins. Mine will always occupy “pride of place” in my life.
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| AD0AR |
Rating: |
2024-05-12 | |
| Vintage pre dsp keeper great for AM/SSB |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Found one at a hamfest about 4 years ago that was pristine with the box.... until I opened up the battery compartment and found leakage.
Paid $20 for salvage of the unit, expecting the worst.
Found very little to no damage as the corrosion was in the white powdery stage and didn't start corroding anything yet...
Cleaned it up, fixed the battery compartment intermittent connection issue and it's been fun and games on all bands since.
When I had it apart, I observed it was the latest revision radio with green LED's and all the protection/ stability mods have been completed.
It is slightly out of tolerance when checking frequency accuracy with WWV standards but highly usable for a pre-DSP radio.
Sync AM reception is ok, could be better but may need calibration there too.
I liked it so much, I found another a few years later being sold for $100, got it for my sister as she loves to listen to AM radio out of Chicago. Did all the mods to protect this one and also had to fix the intermittent battery holder connections.
She's a seamstress so I hit her up to design a soft case for the radio. She just started a new job but I'm gonna prod her to make us both a soft case for this vintage radio as it is a keeper.
For airband it is quite deaf, but I didn't buy it for that anyway. |
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| RAHOBIT |
Rating: |
2020-09-30 | |
| Excellent and Easy to Use |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I bought my first 2001D around 1983 but it didn't have the FET protection and I left it connected to an external antenna during a storm. Major damage I was unable to repair in those days. I then had an FRG-7 but sorely missed the digital tuning and memories. My second one was purchased around 1994. Soon after I put the KIWA filters in and did a couple of other mods. More recently an audio upgrade and this has made it superb, still. This generation has surface mount components, FET protection and is far more sensitive than the first one so serial numbers 300000 upwards are more desirable for me and above 350000 better still. Any overloading of strong stations can be controlled via an external ATU which can also contain the advisable static protection. There is still an active user group and useful resources (mods, advise, Q & A) in groups.io with many happy helpful users and several for sale on the auction sites. Certainly other radios beat it for specific listening (Air Band, MW DXing, FM, SSB) but for SWL its my go-to radio above many others I've owned. Considering the number of reviews here 4.7 is a fully justified score! Its miles better than the ICF-7600 series and with its 32 one-key memories just so convenient to use. |
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| N0TLD |
Rating: |
2018-01-16 | |
| A classic... |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
... and for good reason.
No, it's not the greatest portable multiband ever made -- I don't know which radio that might be, given that the best is a personal thing for everyone -- but it's got to be in the top 5, if not the top 3.
I'm sure if you're visiting eHam you already know the basics of this radio -- FM/LW/MW/SW, in FM, AM and SSB modes, with truly effective synchronous detection, excellent sensitivity on its whip antenna, etc.. Regarding overall performance it is at least as competent as any portable made, and certainly better than many others; it's even better than some tabletop radios.
One of the features that puts this radio in the classic category for me is ease of use -- the entire control set is really very intuitive. Frequency input is the simplest I've used on any digital portable -- input frequency, then enter.
Another aspect that puts this in the classic realm is simply the fact of how long it was in production -- from 1985 to 2003. Yes, over the decades there were four different iterations/improved versions, but the basic feel and ease of use and solid performance of the 2010 was maintained throughout its run.
But like every radio, it has its less-enjoyable issues, too.
There is an overly sensitive front end FET at the antenna input that had a strong tendency to blow out easily, requiring a fairly easy but inconvenient repair job. Radio hobbyists came up with modifications to protect that FET with added diodes; Sony eventually addressed the issue in later iterations.
As well, the battery circuit design was pretty flawed. Even the best working 2010s could, after some time, develop a tendency to lose power if the set was jostled or moved quickly or at certain angles. This is because the design bore some direct point to point contact between different circuit boards/sections, and was not hardwired as it really should have been. As time and use went on, the contact points would shift away from each other and eventually stop making contact altogether.
It isn't difficult to fix the situation, but even a simple fix shouldn't have been needed in the first place. It required a better design, period.
Also, the tuning is not quite fine enough for truly accurate SSB listening, and unless the radio is aligned/adjusted precisely, it is essentially impossible to really tune in a SSB phone signal without a bit of Donald Duck or Cylon in the mix. This puts off many amateur radio listeners.
Yet so popular and long-lived is the 2010 that a vast 'library' of modifications and improvements has existed for many years, from simple adjustments to aftermarket filter replacements (Kiwa's 'blue dot' filter, for example), audio/tone improvements, and many more, including fixes for the above issues, of course.
It has enjoyed an almost cult status among many hobbyists. I don't take it that far, even if I believe their main praises are generally well-deserved.
But while I clearly enjoy the ICF 2010, I have to disagree with the more extreme praises; certainly it's a good, solidly performing, classic radio, no doubt about it... but it's not the be all and end all, not the best money can buy, as many claim.
Some claim a kind of automatic and inarguable superiority, much as many Sony 7600 fans do (which is also absurd and a bit baffling since the 2010 is certainly a far better radio). Such things are very personal in nature, from location and usage to just basic personal taste and preference.
There IS no 'best' radio for all users, to be sure -- personally, my favorite portable AM DXing radio is the Panasonic RF2200, hands down *the* reference MW portable for me, and for portable FM, the CCrane CC2E is as sensitive and selective as one can find today.
Yet for many, the ICF 2010 is the best, and I can fully understand that. |
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| VK2JEM |
Rating: |
2017-07-25 | |
| Over priced over hyped |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Had one for a few years. HAd a Sangean 803A at same time. The Sony had dust the Sangean was used daily. I just couldnt warm to it.
I found the sensititivy good not great. The synch detector worked great, but i didnt use it much.
A great radio in its day sure, but now there are newer, smaller, lighter, cheaper radios that out perform it. Too big for true portable, not as good as many base rigs.
If you want a good portable with FM and air Synch two bandwidths SSB etc, get a tecsun, and pocket the change. If you want a high perfomance rig for your shack or bedside, look at kenwood, icom or drake etc. Which for the prices these command used woudl be in the same ballpark. |
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| KC0EKQ |
Rating: |
2017-02-23 | |
| A classic, but not perfect |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've always enjoyed the 2010, and it (mostly) deserves (most of) the hype that has grown around it in religious reverence.
I've used mine for a long time, a late model that uses a lot of SMD tech including a front end protection diode for the once-vulnerable Q303 FET. Years ago I fixed the battery issues and installed the Kiwa 'blue dot' filter, and I've had to replace a few caps over the years... but it is a fine, fine receiver, superior in synchronous detection and very sensitive on SW on its built in whip alone.
The tuning and memory system are as simple and direct and intuitive as can be.
Audio is certainly on par with Sony products and is rich and full, though a bit muddy at times.
I don't think it is a 'great'/5 radio though, for a few reasons.
SSB resolution is somewhat limited and can be irritating, even frustrating at times. It reminds me of the Kenwood R2000 resolution, not quuuuite fine enough for some signals. There are modifications for this of course, but stock, it's a negative for me.
As well, bandwidth filtering, stock, leaves a bit to be desired in the amateur bands at least, where even the narrow filtering can let in some spillover here and there. Of course the Kiwa filter options make those issues go away for the most part, and make the receiver sound much more alive and clear, but that's modified, not stock. It's no 'barn door' problem but it could be much better than it is.
That battery contact design is just bad, plain and simple. It can be fixed but it wouldn't be necessary had they used a more traditional and frankly BETTER design.
But for all of that, the positives of the 2010 far outnumber the negatives and it is still a classic, a pleasure to use for a lot of signal hunting, and even a decent MW DXer with a little finessing and modifying.
It's legendary for a reason, but not quite the deity some claim. |
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| REVMIKE |
Rating: |
2015-02-13 | |
| A great radio even after all these years |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I bought one when they first came out and sold it years later...BIG MISTAKE. I finally decided to buy another one and found one on eBay at a reasonable price a few.I had for a couple of weeks and sent it off to Craig at KIWA Electronics.I just received my radio back yesterday, what a difference the modifications make, sensitivity and clarity has been enhanced. I enjoy listening to all forms of radio broadcasts. Last night I was listening to some Hams and they sounded as if they were on a local AM station. Love this radio, this one is not going anywhere. If I run across of a "New" one, I'm buying it and sending it to KIWA, as well in order to have a spare. |
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| Cui Litang |
Rating: |
2015-02-12 | |
| 2001D |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have owned this radio, the European version 2001D and used it intensively since 1992, and I like this particular model of SONY radio so much that I have purchased a second one on eBay from Austria last month. I have mostly used my SONY ICF-2001D for news broadcasts and feature programs, entertainment of exotic music, and moderate applications in digital decoding for news scripts in RTTY from Xinhua News Agency and KCNA ( DPRK ), HF Fax news from Kyodo and various weather maps using my AEA Fax III decoder, especially in years prior to the Internet and many years when the Internet experienced its " growing pains " in China.
For serious radio listening there is no parallel to SONY ICF-2001D because of its highly commendable combination of sensitivity, selectivity, better than average dynamic range plus the legendary synchronous detector that makes the awkward sounding ECSS ( Exalted Carrier Selectable Sideband ) a one touch operation. The synchronous detector on SONY ICF-2001D kicks in instantaneously thanks to its 1 bit cpu ( Rainer Lichte ) enabling the radio to lock onto a signal tightly either on USB or LSB, often away from an interfering transmission on an adjacent frequency and nearly always throughout the ever present transmission fading. As a result, the reception is greatly improved, with much less QRMs and audio distortion - to the audiphiles, this is where the difference is - SONY ICF-2001D sounds so good in recording or when fed through an external speaker that I have ended up taping on my Panasonic HD100 VHS video recorder, many hours of Happy Station and Media Network of Radio Netherlands. Only Sherwood Synchrous Dectior III combos perform equally well or better than SONY ICF-2001D in the Synchrous Detection Department.
SONY ICF-2001D tunes and displays in 100Hz making it undesirable for critical decoding of CW/RTTY decoding of difficult transmissions. Fortunately however, the tuning and display have turned out very well centered, only slightly subject to the drastic temperature change.
SONY ICF-2001D in continuous production for two decades and around for thirty years in 2015, hands down, has proved itself an all time best-seller and classic of the conventional radio.
If you are one of us, bet you are, get a SONY ICF-2001D/2010 when you can still find one. |
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| RYAN84 |
Rating: |
2014-12-17 | |
| The best |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I've had this thing for years and it is without a doubt the best shortwave receiver I've ever owned. I will periodically buy something else and then run comparison tests against the tried and true 2010. Nothing ever compares. Paired with an outside antenna, it does the work of an HF communications receiver wearing the clothes of a portable. These are still able to be had on ebay second hand, and I would urge anyone to buy one of these used before considering any new Sangean, Grundig/Eton, or Tecsun radio. Don't assume because they're newer they're better. What Sony did with the 2010 in 1984 still has not been surpassed. |
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| KD5MTB |
Rating: |
2014-10-22 | |
| COMPARISON REPORT |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I AM A 2010 OWNER FOR MANY YEARS. ALSO, I AM AN AVID SW RADIO USER/LISTENER. I PUSH MY RADIOS TO GET THE VERY BEST I CAN OUT OF THEM. YOU CAN READ LOTS OF REVIEWS ABOUT THIS RADIO SO YOU DON’T NEED ME TO TELL YOU HOW GOOD IT IS. THIS IS MORE OF A COMPARISON REPORT.
FIRST, MY 2010 HAS THE KIWA FILTERS INSTALLED. I HAVE COMPARED MY 2010 TO A STOCK 2010, SITTING SIDE BY SIDE USING THE PULL-UP ANTENNAS. THE FILTERS ABSOLUTELY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE CLEANNESS OF THE RECEPTION. THERE IS NO DOUBT.
SECOND, I HAVE USED FOUR RADIOS WITH THE SAME EXTERNAL ANTENNA. THE SONY ICF-2010, THE PANASONIC RF-2200, THE KENWOOD R-2000 AND THE CCRADIO-SW. OF THE FOUR, THE 2010 CLEARLY HAS BETTER SHORTWAVE RECEPTION SENSITIVITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SYNCHRONOUS TUNING IS USED. IT STANDS ALONE. OF THE OTHER THREE, I FIND THEM TO ALL BE VERY CLOSE IN SW RECEPTION. IT IS TOO CLOSE TO CALL. OF THOSE THREE, THE CCRADIO-SW WAS BIGGEST SURPRISE. IT FAR EXCEEDS MY EXPECTATIONS. (SEE MY EHAM REVIEW IF YOUR ARE INTERESTED.) MY TESTING CONTINUES. |
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