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Sony AIR-8

Manufactured by Sony, Tokyo.

A set with a „totally different“ design is the Sony AIR-8, a receiver covering the VHF aeronautical communications band with the „look“ of a walkie-talkie, released in 1985.

  • AIR-7: AM 150 - 2194 kHz, VHF 76-108 MHz, AIR Band 108 - 136 MHz AM, VHF 144 - 174 MHz FM.
  • AIR-8 / AIR-8A: AM 150 - 2194 kHz, VHF 76-108 MHz, AIR Band 108 - 137 MHz AM, VHF 144 - 174 MHz FM.

Sony AIR-8

Technical data

Power supply

Dimensions

  • 90 x 180 x 50 mm, weight 0.5 kg

Accessories

Operation

The Sony AIR-8 is a multi-band receiver covering the so called „Air Band“. In addition to VHF and long / medium and shortwaves up to 2194 kHz, it covers the aeronautical communications band from 108 - 137 MHz (in contrast to the earlier version AIR-7 where it only reached 136 MHz) in amplitude modulation and the VHF range 144 - 174 MHz in FM and as such can be regarded as a predecessor or Sony interpretation of a hand-held scanner.

In terms of design, the set has the appearance and dimensions of a walkie-talkie, it measures 9 x 18 x 5 cm and weighs 500 g. A rubber helix antenna is attached to a BNC socket on top of the set.

The set is powered by four UM-3 batteries or by a center-negative power supply unit.

Sony AIR-8 On the top face of the unit, on the left, there is the main switch in the form of a green button, next to it the rotary volume and squelch controls, both of which can be lowered by pressing them in. The mode switch selects AM (LW-SW), FM (VHF), AIR (for the aeronautical band) and PSB (Public Service Band, for the VHF range, which also covers the 2 m amateur band). In a second row, next to the BNC antenna connector, there is a jack for headphones and AM antenna.

In the upper part of the front panel, there is the LCD frequency display and markings for the ten memory channels, and at the left a red LED as tuning indicator.

The keypad underneath looks a little confusing at first:
The DIRECT key initiates direct frequency entry with the numeric keys, the procedure is concluded with EXECUTE, and the desired station sounds from the loudspeaker - or „Try again“ to indicate an input error. By pressing the ENTER key in the lower left corner and a numeric key, the current frequency is stored in the selected memory channel; by pressing the same numeric key again, the stored station is recalled.

The keys + / - (SCAN) are used for manual tuning starting from the active frequency; the AIR-8 does not have a manually operated tuning knob.

Pressing the SCAN buttons (+ / -) for a longer time activates automatic scanning; pressing the buttons again stops the scan. The scanning threshold is set by adjusting the squelch knob. By pressing the memory scan button, the receiver jumps to the next memory location, a longer button press makes it automatically scan through all stored frequencies. The receiver can also automatically listen to a priority channel during operation and has other options, there is not enough space to list all modes here.

The small loudspeaker is located at the bottom of the front panel, it carries the label AIR BAND, so the AIR-8 can be distinguished from the ICF-PRO70 even at a distance.

The Sony AIR-8 is a special receiver for aviation enthusiasts and a niche product which was probably only sold in small numbers in Germany due to its frequency coverage. The manufacturing quality is very good, as it is typical for Sony sets from that time, and makes it possible to get over the fact that modern small hand-held scanners offer considerably more memory and cover additional frequency ranges. To listen to radio traffic from the local airfield or just to listen to some FM broadcasters while travelling, the AIR-8 is a great set.

Technical principle

Single conversion superhet.

Components

The set is semi-conductor equipped.

Technical documentation

Development

Further information

en/air-8.txt · Zuletzt geändert: 2021/04/26 20:40 von mb