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ICF-M780SL [GB/ES]

4-527-232-

13

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ICF-M780SL

©2014  Sony Corporation     Printed in China

FM/SW/MW/LW  

PLL SYNTHESIZED RADIO

Operating Instructions   GB

Manual de instrucciones   ES

For customers in Europe

Register now for free updates at :  
www.sony-europe.com/myproducts

4-527-232-

13

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2

Set the clock.

1

Connect the radio to a wall outlet.

Getting Started

“0:00” will flash on the display when the batteries are installed or 

the AC power cord is plugged in for the first time.

Press and hold 

SET CLOCK 

until the hour 

indication 

starts flashing.

Minute setting

Press + or 

 to set the 

minutes, and then press 

ENTER.

Hour setting

Press + or 

 to set the 

hour, and then press 

ENTER.

3

Tune to the station you want.

Listening to the Radio

1

Turn on the radio.

2

Select the band (FM, SW, MW or LW).

Repeatedly pressing the 

button switches the 

band.

1

Tune to the station you want.

Follow steps 1 to 3 in “Listening to the Radio” 
above.

1

Select the band (FM, SW, MW or LW).

2

Press and hold the desired preset button (1 – 5) until 
you hear a beep and the preset number appears on the 
display.

2

Press the desired preset button (1 – 5).

To change the preset station

Tune to a new station.

Press and hold the preset button 
you want to change. 

The preset station on the selected 
button will be replaced by the new one.

Presetting stations

Preset favourite stations to the 5 preset buttons. You can preset up to 5 stations each for 

FM, SW, MW and LW bands.

Listening to a preset station

About the meter bands

Meter band

Frequency range (kHz)

49 mb

5,800 

 6,250

41 mb

7,100 

 7,550

31 mb

9,300 

 10,000

25 mb

11,500 

 12,220

22 mb

13,500 

 13,900

19 mb

15,000 

 15,900

Note

Automatic tuning mode will only be available within the range of the current 
meter band. When in outside of the range, the tuning mode changes to manual 
tuning mode.

Improving radio reception

When radio receptions are poor, receptions will be improved by reorienting 
or adjusting the length of the antenna (FM and SW), or reorienting the unit 
itself (MW/LW).

Extend the 

telescopic 

antenna and 

adjust the length 

and the angle for 

good reception.

For FM

For MW/LW

Reorient the unit itself to find 

good reception. (A ferrite bar 

antenna is built into the unit.)

Extend the telescopic 

antenna vertically.

For SW

As the SW frequencies are 
assigned to the meter 
bands as shown in the 
table, you can make a 
quick search for a desired 
frequency by changing the 
corresponding meter band.

To adjust the volume

To listen through headphones

Connect headphones that have a stereo or 
monaural mini plug (not supplied).
You will hear monaural sound through the 
headphones.

To use the radio on batteries

To 

 (headphones)

Press down on the battery 
compartment cover at 

 

and slide it in the direction 
of the arrow 

.

Insert the 

 side of the 

battery first.

Three LR14 (size C) batteries (not 

supplied)

To close the cover, slide it in the direction of the arrow 

 until it 

clicks into place.

Guide to parts and controls

Unit

The serial number is 

located on the 

nameplate on the 

bottom exterior of 

the unit.

 

/

 (power) button

  VOLUME control*

  SW BAND button

  FM/SW/MW/LW button

 

 (headphones) jack

 +, 

 buttons*

  ENTER/SET CLOCK button (holding 

down the button enters the clock 
setting mode.)

  ON TIMER/SET TIMER button (holding 

down the button enters the timer 
setting mode.)

  SLEEP button

 Speaker

 Display

  Preset buttons*

  Telescopic antenna

  AC IN jack

  Battery compartment cover

  Carrying handle

*  The “MAX” position of VOLUME control, the 

+ button and the preset button numbered 3 has a 

tactile dot. Use the tactile dot as a reference when 

operating the radio.

Display

  Lights up when a station is tuned in.

  Lights up when the on timer is turned 

on, or when the unit is in the on timer 
setting mode.

  Lights up or flashes when the battery 

power is low. Replace all the batteries 
with new ones when this indicator 
starts flashing.

  Lights up when the sleep timer is 

turned on, or when the unit is in the 
sleep timer setting mode.

  Lights up when presetting the stations to 

the preset buttons, or when selecting a 
preset station.

  Frequency/time/message display area

  Indicates the currently selected band.

Convenient functions

Sleep Timer

The radio automatically turns off after a set time 
has elapsed.

Press SLEEP.

The “SLEEP” indicator starts flashing and the 
default setting (“90”) appears on the display.
If you press SLEEP while the radio is off, the 
radio turns on automatically.

Press SLEEP repeatedly to select the 
desired setting while the “SLEEP” 
indicator is flashing.

Each time you press the button, the duration 
(in minutes) changes on the display as follows:

OFF

90

60

30

15

Press ENTER.

The selected setting is confirmed and the 
“SLEEP” indicator stops flashing.

Tips

• 

If you do not press ENTER within about 3 seconds, 
the currently selected setting is confirmed 
automatically.

• 

You can check the time left until the radio turns 
off by pressing SLEEP again after setting the sleep 
timer.

To cancel the sleep timer

You can cancel the sleep timer using either 
method below:

• 

Set the sleep timer to “OFF.”

• 

Turn off the radio once, and then turn it on again.

To change the sleep timer setting

Press SLEEP repeatedly to select other settings.

On Timer

The radio automatically turns on at a preset time.
When using the on timer, make sure to tune to 
the station you want to listen beforehand.

Press and hold ON TIMER.

The “ON TIMER” indicator and the hour 
indication start flashing on the display.

Press + or 

 to set the hour for the 

radio to be turned on, and then press 
ENTER.

The minute indication flashes on the display.

Press + or 

 to set the minutes, and 

then press ENTER.

The “ON TIMER” indicator stops flashing and 
the on timer function is activated.
If the radio is turned on, press 

/

 and turn off 

the radio.

Notes

• 

The on timer setting mode will be cancelled after 
65 seconds if there is no operation.

• 

When the on timer function turns the radio on, the 
sleep timer is automatically activated and the 
radio goes off after 90 minutes. Until the radio will 
go off, the display shows both the on timer and 
sleep timer indicators.

To deactivate the on timer

Press ON TIMER (the “ON TIMER” indicator 
disappears).
Repeatedly pressing the button allows you to 
activate or deactivate the on timer.
Once you set and activate the on timer, the radio 
turns on at the preset time everyday.

Scan Tuning

Press FM/SW/MW/LW to select the 
band, then press and hold + or 

The unit starts scanning stations in the 
frequency of the band.

Press ENTER to stop scan tuning when 
the desired station is received.

When scan tuning begins, the unit 
automatically starts scanning from the 
previously received frequency and pauses for 
3 seconds when a station is received, then the 
scanning continues. Listen to the 3-second 
radio previews and press ENTER when you 
encounter the desired station.

Note

For the SW band, if scanning starts from a frequency 
inside the range of a meter band, scanning is 
performed only within the current meter band. If 
scanning starts from a frequency outside the range 
of a meter band and reaches the following meter 
band, scanning will continue within that meter 
band. 

About Backlight

The backlight will turn off if no operation is 
performed for 15 seconds to minimize power 
consumption.

Tip

The backlight will stay on when performing scan 
tuning.

To change the MW tuning 

interval

Press 

/

 to turn off the radio.

Press and hold the preset button 1 and 
FM/SW/MW/LW at the same time until 
you hear a beep.

Each time you press and hold the buttons, the 
MW tuning interval changes cyclically. 
Changing the tuning interval erases all the MW 
preset stations stored in the unit. Reset your 
preset stations after changing the tuning 
interval.

Note

The MW tuning interval can be changed only when 
the radio is turned off. Be sure to turn off the radio 
beforehand.

To change the clock display 

mode

Press 

/

 to turn off the radio.

Press and hold + and the preset button 
1 until the clock display mode is 
changed.

Each time you press and hold the buttons, the 
clock display mode changes from the 24-hour 
system to the 12-hour system (or vice versa).

Note

The clock display mode can be changed only 
when the radio is turned off. Be sure to turn off 
the radio beforehand.

WARNING

As the main plug is used to disconnect the unit 
from the mains, connect the unit to an easily 
accessible AC outlet. Should you notice an 
abnormality in the unit, disconnect the main plug 
from the AC outlet immediately.

Do not install the appliance in a confined space, 
such as a bookcase or built-in cabinet.

To reduce the risk of fire, do not cover the 
ventilation of the apparatus with newspapers, 
tablecloths, curtains, etc. And do not place lighted 
candles on the apparatus.

To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not 
expose this apparatus to dripping or splashing, and 
do not place objects filled with liquids, such as 
vases, on the apparatus.

The unit is not disconnected from the AC power 
source (mains) as long as it is connected to the wall 
outlet, even if the unit itself has been turned off.

The nameplate and important information 
concerning safety are located on the bottom 
exterior.

Excessive sound pressure from earphones and 
headphones can cause hearing loss.

Batteries or batteries installed apparatus shall not 
be exposed to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire 
or the like.

In case of battery leakage

If battery fluid has leaked, do not touch the fluid 
with your bare hands.
Battery fluid may remain inside the unit. Consult 
your nearest Sony dealer.
If battery fluid gets into your eyes, do not rub your 
eyes, as blindness may occur. Quickly wash your 
eyes with plenty of clean water and immediately 
seek medical attention.
If battery fluid gets onto your body or clothing, 
burns or injury may occur. Quickly wash off with 
clean water, and seek medical attention if skin 
inflammation or injuries occur.

Notice for customers: the following 
information is only applicable to equipment 
sold in countries applying EU directives

This product has been manufactured by or on 
behalf of Sony Corporation, 1-7-1 Konan Minato-ku 
Tokyo, 108-0075 Japan. Inquiries related to product 
compliance based on European Union legislation 
shall be addressed to the authorized representative, 
Sony Belgium, bijkantoor van Sony Europe Limited, 
Da Vincilaan 7-D1, 1935 Zaventem, Belgium. For any 
service or guarantee matters, please refer to the 
addresses provided in the separate service or 
guarantee documents.

The validity of the CE marking is restricted to only 
those countries where it is legally enforced, mainly 
in the countries EEA (European Economic Area).

Disposal of waste batteries and electrical and 
electronic equipment (applicable in the 
European Union and other European countries 
with separate collection systems)

This symbol on the product, the battery 
or on the packaging indicates that the 
product and the battery shall not be 
treated as household waste. On certain 
batteries this symbol might be used in 
combination with a chemical symbol. 

The chemical symbols for mercury (Hg) or lead (Pb) 
are added if the battery contains more than 
0.0005% mercury or 0.004% lead. By ensuring these 
products and batteries are disposed of correctly, you 
will help prevent potentially negative consequences 
for the environment and human health which could 
otherwise be caused by inappropriate waste 
handling. The recycling of the materials will help to 
conserve natural resources. 
In case of products that for safety, performance or 
data integrity reasons require a permanent 
connection with an incorporated battery, this 
battery should be replaced by qualified service staff 
only. To ensure that the battery and the electrical 
and electronic equipment will be treated properly, 
hand over these products at end-of-life to the 
applicable collection point for the recycling of 
electrical and electronic equipment. For all other 
batteries, please view the section on how to remove 
the battery from the product safely. Hand the 
battery over to the applicable collection point for 
the recycling of waste batteries. For more detailed 
information about recycling of this product or 
battery, please contact your local Civic Office, your 
household waste disposal service or the shop where 
you purchased the product or battery.

The following frequency 1,606.5 kHz 

 1,610 kHz 

range is not allocated to sound broadcasting in the 
European Common Allocations table and cannot be 
used in Europe.

Precautions

• 

Operate the unit only on the power sources 
specified in “Specifications.” For battery operation, 
use three LR14 (size C) alkaline batteries. For AC 
operation, use the supplied AC power cord; do not 
use any other cord.

• 

Unplug the unit from the wall outlet when it will 
not be used for an extended period of time.

• 

When operating the unit on batteries, it is 
recommended that you remove the AC power 
cord from the wall outlet.

• 

Use the unit within a temperature range of 0°C to 
40°C. If it is used in temperatures higher than this 
range, the display may gradually turn black. If it is 
used in temperatures lower than this range, the 
display may change very slowly. (These 
irregularities will disappear and there will be no 
damage to the unit when the unit is used in the 
recommended temperature range again.)

• 

When carrying the radio, grasp the handle at the 
rear of the unit to prevent the radio from falling.

• 

Avoid exposure to temperature extremes, direct 
sunlight, moisture, sand, dust or mechanical 
shock. Never leave in a car parked in the sun.

• 

Should any solid object or liquid fall into the unit, 
disconnect the AC power cord and remove the 
batteries, and have the unit checked by a qualified 
personnel before operating it any further.

• 

Since a strong magnet is used for the speakers, 
keep personal credit cards using magnetic coding 
or spring-wound watches away from the unit to 
prevent possible damage from the magnetism.

• 

To clean the casing, use a soft dry cloth. Do not 
use any type of solvent, such as alcohol or 
benzine, which may damage the finish.

• 

Do not operate the unit with wet hands since 
doing so may cause a short circuit.

• 

When carrying the unit, grasp the handle at the 
rear of the unit to prevent the unit from dropping.

If you have any questions or problems concerning 
your unit, please consult your nearest Sony 
dealer. 

Troubleshooting

Should any problems persist after you have 
made the following checks, consult your 
nearest Sony dealer.

Display is dim, or no indication is displayed.

• 

The radio is being used in extremely high or low 
temperatures or in a place with excessive 
moisture.

Very weak or interrupted sound, or 
unsatisfactory reception.

• 

If you are in a building, listen near a window.

• 

Try improving radio receptions using the 
following procedures.

FM:

 Extend the telescopic antenna and adjust 

the length and the angle for best reception.

SW:

 Extend the telescopic antenna vertically.

MW/LW:

 An MW/LW antenna is built in the unit. 

Reorient the unit itself for best reception.

When adjusting for FM or SW 
reception, adjust the direction 
of the antenna by holding it at 
the bottom. The antenna can be 
damaged if you move the 
antenna with excessive force.

• 

Replace all the batteries with new ones if they 
are exhausted.

There is noise in the speaker output.

• 

If a mobile phone is placed close to the radio, a 
loud noise may be heard from the radio. Keep 
the phone away from the radio.

Batteries become exhausted very quickly.

• 

Be sure to turn off the radio when not using it.  
See “Battery life” under “Specifications” for 
details about the estimated battery life.

• 

When “

” starts flashing, replace all the 

batteries with new ones.

A desired station cannot be received when a 
preset button is pressed.

• 

Make sure you have selected the desired band 
(FM, SW, MW or LW) before you press the preset 
button. One station for each band can be set to 
each button.

• 

You may have held down the preset button to 
which the station was preset, causing the station 
to be replaced by a new one. Preset the desired 
station again.

The message “Non” appears and the preset 
button indicator (“PRESET” and the preset 
number) lights up on the display when a 
preset button is pressed.

• 

No station has been preset to the corresponding 
button. Preset a station.

Specifications

Time display

  12-hour system/24-hour system

Frequency range

 

FM

  87.5 MHz 

 108 MHz (50 kHz step)

 

SW

 

  5.8 MHz 

 15.9 MHz (5 kHz step)

 

MW

  531 kHz 

 1,602 kHz (9 kHz step)

  530 kHz 

 1,610 kHz (10 kHz step)

 

LW

  153 kHz 

 279 kHz (9 kHz step)

Intermediate frequency

  FM: 128 kHz

  SW: 45 kHz

  MW: 45 kHz

  LW: 45 kHz

Speaker

  Approx. 10 cm dia., 12 Ω, monaural

Audio power output

  500 mW

Output

 

 (headphones) jack (ø 3.5 mm mini jack)

Power requirements

  230 V AC, 50 Hz (AC power supply)

  4.5 V DC, three LR14 (size C) alkaline batteries

Battery life

*

  Approx. 100 hours (FM reception)

  Approx. 100 hours (SW reception)

  Approx. 100 hours (MW reception)

  Approx. 100 hours (LW reception)

*  When listening through the speaker on Sony 

(LR14SG) alkaline batteries. (The actual battery life 

may vary depending on the unit and operating 

conditions.)

Dimensions

  Approx. 253 mm × 136.3 mm × 61.2 mm (W/H/D)

Mass

  Approx. 860 g (excl. batteries)

  Approx. 1,060 g (incl. batteries)

Supplied accessories

  AC power cord (1)
Design and specifications are subject to change 

without notice.

To change the meter band in the SW function

Press SW BAND repeatedly.

Each time you press the button, the meter band changes as 
follows. Once changing the meter band, the unit receives the 
lowest frequency in the selected meter band and starts tuning 
from that frequency among the whole SW band.

Notes

• 

The clock setting mode will be cancelled 
after 65 seconds if there is no operation.

• 

The clock setting will reset to the factory 
default if you remove both the AC power 
cord and batteries from the unit after 
you set the clock.

49 mb

19 mb

41 mb

22 mb

31 mb

25 mb

Connect the AC power cord to the AC IN jack first, then 

connect it to a wall outlet.

Currently selected band

Press + or 

 to tune to  

the desired station.

When you press and hold the button, the unit changes the 

tuning mode to scan tuning mode. Scan tuning 

automatically scans the stations in the frequency range of 

the current band, receiving tuned signals for 3 seconds for 

each station. For more details on scan tuning, see “Scan 

Tuning” under “Convenient functions.”

Note

When connecting headphones to the radio, use 
a headphones cable with a stereo (3-pole) or 
monaural (2-pole) mini plug. Sound may not be 
heard when using other types of plugs.

1 ring

2 rings

Other types of 

plugs cannot be 

used.

Compatible 

plug types

3 or more rings

Monaural* 

mini plug

Stereo mini 

plug

*  It is recommended that you use the monaural 

headphones (ø 3.5 mm mini-plug) with this 

radio. You can also use stereo headphones, but 

the headphone output will be monaural.

Notes

• 

When the battery power drops to a certain level, the sound may 
become weak or distorted, and the battery indicator (“

”) will start 

flashing on the display. After that, when the batteries become fully 
exhausted, the status of the indicator will change from “flashing” to 
“lit-up,” and the power will go off. If this happens, replace all the 
batteries with new ones.

• 

Be sure to turn off the radio and replace the batteries within 60 
seconds. Otherwise, the settings such as for the clock, on timer and 
preset stations will be initialized. Should this happen, perform the 
necessary settings again. Note that the battery indicator (“

”) will 

remain lit even after the batteries are replaced. The battery indicator 
disappears when you turn on the radio after battery replacement.

• 

Remove the batteries from the unit if the unit is not to be used for an 
extended period of time. When using the radio again, perform the 
necessary settings, such as for the clock, on timer and preset stations.

Example: Presetting 

FM 87.50 to preset 

number 1.

Notes

• 

To prevent the preset from being 
changed by mistake, do not hold the 
preset button down.

• 

If no station has been preset to the 
pressed button, “Non” appears and 
the unit returns to the frequency 
before the button was pushed.

Extend the telescopic 

antenna when listening to 

FM and SW stations. 

Extending the antenna is 

not necessary when 

listening to MW/LW 

stations.

Telescopic antenna

AC power cord (supplied)

To a wall outlet

To AC IN jack

Connect 

securely. 

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