The Sony ICF-C360/C360L is a compact AM/FM/LW/MW clock radio designed for everyday use, offering a blend of essential functions and user-friendly features. This device serves primarily as a bedside companion, providing timekeeping, alarm capabilities, and radio reception in a small footprint.
Function Description
The core function of the ICF-C360/C360L is to provide accurate time display and reliable alarm functionality. It features a digital clock display, allowing users to easily read the time. The alarm can be set to either a buzzer sound or a radio station, offering flexibility for waking up. A snooze/date/sleep off function is also integrated, providing convenience for those who prefer a few extra minutes of sleep or wish to fall asleep to the radio.
Beyond time and alarm, the device incorporates a radio tuner capable of receiving various bands depending on the model. The ICF-C360 model supports AM and FM bands, while the ICF-C360L model extends this to include LW and MW bands, catering to different regional broadcasting standards. Radio tuning is performed via a rotary dial, and volume is adjusted with a separate knob.
Important Technical Specifications
- Dimensions: Approximately 210.5 x 60 x 172 mm (W/H/D), making it a relatively compact device suitable for most nightstands.
- Weight: Approximately 630 g (excluding batteries), ensuring it is light enough to be easily moved.
- Power Requirements:
- AC Power: 220V AC, 50Hz (for UK model) or 240V AC, 50Hz (for other European models), and 120V AC, 60Hz (for North American model). This indicates regional variations in power supply.
- Battery Backup: 9 V DC, one 6F22 battery. This battery is crucial for maintaining clock and alarm settings during a power interruption, ensuring the alarm will still sound. The battery provides approximately 200 hours of backup for the clock.
- Frequency Range:
- FM: 87.5 – 108 MHz
- AM: 526.5 – 1,606.5 kHz (for ICF-C360) or 531 – 1,602 kHz (for ICF-C360L)
- MW: 531 – 1,602 kHz (for ICF-C360L)
- LW: 153 – 255 kHz (for ICF-C360L)
- Intermediate Frequency:
- FM: 10.7 MHz
- AM/MW/LW: 455 kHz
- Speaker: Approximately 6.6 cm (2 5/8 inches) diameter, with an impedance of 8 ohms.
- Power Output: 200 mW (at 10% harmonic distortion), indicating a modest audio output suitable for personal listening.
- Antenna:
- FM: FM wire antenna (supplied with North American model) or built-in FM antenna (non-North American models).
- AM/MW/LW: Built-in ferrite bar antenna.
Usage Features
The ICF-C360/C360L is designed with user convenience in mind.
- Dual Alarm: Allows users to set two separate alarms, which can be useful for different wake-up times or for a second person.
- Date Display: The device can display the current date, adding to its utility.
- Sleep Timer: Enables users to fall asleep to the radio, with the radio automatically turning off after a preset time (15, 30, 45, 60, 90, or 120 minutes).
- Snooze Function: Provides a temporary pause for the alarm, allowing for a few extra minutes of sleep before the alarm sounds again.
- Easy Clock and Alarm Setting: The manual details a straightforward process for setting the clock and alarms using dedicated buttons like "TIME SET," "ALARM," and "SNOOZE/DATE/SLEEP OFF."
- Radio Operation: Tuning is intuitive with a rotary dial, and a "BAND" switch allows selection between AM, FM, MW, and LW bands. Volume control is also a simple rotary knob.
- Battery Backup: The inclusion of battery backup ensures that time and alarm settings are preserved during power outages, a critical feature for an alarm clock. The alarm will still sound even if the AC power is interrupted, provided the backup battery is installed and functional.
Maintenance Features
The service manual provides detailed instructions for maintenance and adjustments, primarily intended for qualified service personnel.
- Dial Pointer Setting: Instructions are given for correctly setting the dial pointer, ensuring accurate frequency indication. This involves fitting the gear part of the pointer to the cabinet groove and installing the stopper.
- Electrical Adjustments: Comprehensive procedures are outlined for aligning the AM, FM, MW, and LW sections of the radio. These adjustments involve using an AM RF signal generator and a VTVM (Vacuum Tube Voltmeter) to set various trimmers and coils (e.g., T1, L3, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT6) to specific frequencies and voltage readings. These adjustments are crucial for optimal radio reception and performance.
- Component Replacement: The manual includes exploded views and parts lists, facilitating the identification and replacement of components. Components marked with a triangle (Δ) or double triangle (ΔΔ) are safety-related and require specific replacement parts to maintain safety standards. Components marked with an asterisk (*) are "not stocked since they are seldom required for routine service," indicating they might need to be ordered when needed.
- Printed Wiring Board Diagrams: Detailed diagrams of the printed wiring boards (for both ICF-C360 and ICF-C360L) are provided, showing the layout of semiconductors and other components. This is essential for troubleshooting and repair.
- Schematic Diagrams: Full schematic diagrams illustrate the electrical connections and circuitry of the device, aiding in in-depth diagnostics and repair.
- Exploded View: An exploded diagram shows the assembly of the device, making it easier to disassemble and reassemble for repairs.
Overall, the Sony ICF-C360/C360L is a practical and reliable clock radio, designed for straightforward operation and offering essential features for daily use, backed by comprehensive service information for maintenance and repair.
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