Sony FM Clock Radio ICF-C1 Introduction

The Sony FM Clock Radio ICF-C1 is a compact and user-friendly alarm clock designed to enhance your waking experience. Featuring a clear LED display and an FM/AM tuner, it allows you to wake up to your favorite radio station or a traditional buzzer. The progressive alarm volume gently eases you into the day, while the extendable snooze function offers a few extra minutes of rest. The cost of the Sony FM Clock Radio ICF-C1 is approximately $39.99.

Getting Started

Specifications

• Time display
  UK model: 24-hour system
  Australian and New Zealand models: 12-hour system

• Frequency range

  Band	Frequency
  FM	87.5 MHz – 108 MHz
  AM	531 kHz – 1,602 kHz

• Speaker
  Approx. 6.6 cm dia., 8 Ω
• Power output
  100 mW (at 10% harmonic distortion)
• Power requirements
  230 V AC, 50 Hz
  For power backup: 3 V DC, one CR2032 battery
• Dimensions
  Approx. 101 mm × 102 mm × 101 mm (w/h/d) including projecting parts and controls
• Mass
  Approx. 520 g including CR2032 battery

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Description

The Sony FM Clock Radio ICF-C1 boasts a contemporary design with a compact footprint, making it ideal for bedside tables or small office spaces. The front panel features an intuitive control layout with large buttons for easy operation, even in low-light conditions. The backlit LCD display ensures that you can see the time and other settings clearly at night without disturbing others. Additionally, the unit includes a battery backup feature that retains your settings during power outages, ensuring you're always on schedule.

Connecting to an AC power source

Connect the AC power cord to a wall outlet.

For UK model
The current WET (Western European Time) appears on the display.
(This unit is preset to the current date and time at the factory, and is powered by the back-up battery.)
If you live in a country/region other than in the Western European Time zone:

1. Press TIME ZONE.
   Area number “0” appears on the display.
2. Press TIME ZONE repeatedly to select a number as follows:

The clock display switches to the current time of selected time zone in about 4 seconds.

If you live in a country/region other than in these time zones, refer to “Setting the clock manually” to set the correct time.

Note

• During shipment and your first use, a clock error may occur. In this case, refer to “Setting the clock manually” to set the correct time.

About Automatic DST/summer time adjustment (UK model only)
This unit automatically adjusts for daylight saving time (summer time). “DST” automatically appears on the display at the beginning of daylight saving time (summer time), and disappears at the end of daylight saving time (summer time).
The Automatic DST/summer time adjustment is based on GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).

• Daylight saving time (summer time) begins at 1:00 AM on the final Sunday of March.
• Standard time begins at 2:00 AM on the final Sunday of October.

Note

• The implementation of DST/summer time and its beginning/ending date and time are subject to circumstances and laws in each country/region. Should this interfere with the desired adjustment, cancel the Automatic DST/summer time adjustment and set the clock manually as necessary. Customers living in a country/region that does not use daylight saving time (summer time) should cancel the Automatic DST/summer time adjustment before using the unit.

To cancel Automatic DST/summer time adjustment

• The Automatic DST/summer time adjustment can be canceled.
• Press and hold DST for more than 3 seconds while the clock is displayed.
• A beep sounds, and “Aut → OFF” appears on the display to show that the Automatic DST/summer time adjustment has been canceled. The clock display returns.

To reactivate Automatic DST/summer time adjustment

• Press and hold DST for more than 3 seconds.
• A beep sounds, and “Aut → On” appears on the display to show that Automatic DST/summer time adjustment has been activated. The clock display returns.

Operations

Setting the clock manually

To change the clock setting manually, operate the unit as follows.

1. Press and hold ENTER/TIME SET for more than 2 seconds.
   You will hear a beep and the last two digits of the year will start to flash on the display.

2. Press + or – repeatedly to select the year, and then press ENTER/TIME SET.

   

3. Repeat step 2 to set the month, day and time.
   After setting the time, two short beeps will sound and the seconds will start incrementing from zero.

Note

• If you do not press any button for about 1 minute while setting the clock, clock setting mode will be canceled.

To change the display to indicate daylight saving time (summer time)

For UK model
Change the clock setting manually to the daylight saving time (summer time) if you have canceled the Automatic DST/summer time adjustment.

For Australian and New Zealand models
Change the daylight saving time (summer time) adjustment setting according to the following procedure.
Press and hold DST for more than 3 seconds.
“DST” appears on the display and the clock display switches to daylight saving time (summer time).
To deactivate the daylight saving time (summer time) adjustment, press and hold DST for more than 3 seconds again.

Playing the radio

1. Press RADIO to turn on the radio.

2. Set BAND to the desired band (AM or FM).

   

3. Tune to the desired station using TUNING.
4. Adjust the volume using VOLUME +/–.

Setup Guide

To set up your Sony FM Clock Radio ICF-C1, follow these steps:

1. Plug in the device and let it initialize.
2. Set the current time using the clock setting buttons.
3. Adjust the alarm times and settings using the alarm buttons.
4. Tune into your favorite FM radio stations using the tuning dial or buttons.
5. For additional features like sleep timer or battery backup, refer to the user manual for detailed instructions.

Setting the alarm

The alarm sound can be selected from RADIO (radio) or BUZZ (buzzer).

Before setting the alarm

• Make sure to set the clock. (See “Setting the clock manually.”)
• To set the radio alarm, first tune to a station and adjust the volume. (See “Playing the radio.”)

To set the alarm

1. Set ALARM MODE to the desired alarm sound (RADIO or BUZZ).

   

   The alarm time appears for a few seconds, and then “ ” appears on the display. (It does not appear when the switch is set to OFF.)

   

2. Press SET ALARM TIME + or – repeatedly to set the desired time while the alarm time appears on the display.

   

   While setting the alarm time, “ ” flashes on the display.
   When the alarm time setting operation is complete, the clock display returns after a few seconds and “ ” changes from flashing to fully lit.

   

   At the set time, the radio will turn on, or the buzzer will sound gradually increasing in volume. (“ ” flashes on the display.)

Notes on the alarm in the event of a power interruption
If the set alarm time comes in the event of a power interruption or a power interruption occurs while the alarm is sounding, the display will turn off and the alarm will not sound, and the alarm status will be as follows:

• If power returns within 60 minutes from the alarm set time, the alarm will sound.
• If the power interruption occurred while the snooze function was operating, the snooze function will continue.
• If the snooze time had passed when the power interruption occurred, the alarm will sound after power returns.

In this status, if “” does not light up, ALARM RESET/OFF, SNOOZE/BRIGHTNESS and alarm mode functions are available. The snooze time will be fixed to only 10 minutes if SNOOZE/BRIGHTNESS has been pressed.

Setting the sleep timer

You can fall asleep to the radio using the sleep timer, which turns off the radio automatically after a preset duration.

• Press SLEEP.

• The radio turns on. Each time you press SLEEP, the duration (in minutes) changes as follows:

  

• The radio will play for the duration you set, then shut off.
• To deactivate the sleep timer, press SLEEP repeatedly to set the sleep timer to “OFF.”

To turn off the radio before the preset time
Press ALARM RESET/OFF.

To use both the sleep timer and alarm
You can fall asleep to the radio and also be awakened by the radio or buzzer alarm at the preset time.
Set the alarm, then set the sleep timer.

Note

• When the alarm is set to sound during the sleep timer duration, the sleep timer will be deactivated automatically when the alarm sounds.

Setting the brightness of the display

Three levels of brightness are available.
Press SNOOZE/BRIGHTNESS.
Each time you press SNOOZE/BRIGHTNESS, the brightness of the display changes as follows:

Note

• When the alarm is sounding or the snooze function is active, the brightness of the display cannot be changed.

To stop the alarm
Press ALARM RESET/OFF to turn off the alarm.
The alarm will sound again at the same time the next day.

To doze for a few more minutes

• Press SNOOZE/BRIGHTNESS.
• The sound turns off, but will automatically come on again after about 10 minutes.

  • Each time you press SNOOZE/BRIGHTNESS, the snooze time changes as follows:

    

• The display shows the snooze time for about 4 seconds and returns to show the current time. (“ ” flashes on the display.)

To deactivate the alarm

Set ALARM MODE to OFF. “” disappears from the display.

Notes

• The alarm time setting cannot be changed if ALARM MODE is set to OFF. If SET ALARM TIME + or – is pressed, “OFF” appears on the display for about 0.5 seconds.
• ENTER/TIME SET, DST, and TIME ZONE are unavailable while the alarm is sounding or the snooze function is turned on.
• If no operation is performed while the alarm is sounding, the alarm will stop after about 60 minutes.
• The alarm function works as usual on the first and last day of daylight saving time (summer time). When Automatic DST/summer time adjustment is set, if the alarm is set for a time that is skipped when daylight saving time (summer time) begins, the alarm is skipped, or if the alarm is set for a time that overlaps the end of daylight saving time (summer time), the alarm sounds twice.

Notes on the alarm in the event of a power interruption

If the set alarm time comes in the event of a power interruption or a power interruption occurs while the alarm is sounding, the display will turn off and the alarm will not sound, and the alarm status will be as follows:

• If power returns within 60 minutes from the alarm set time, the alarm will sound.
• If the power interruption occurred while the snooze function was operating, the snooze function will continue.
• If the snooze time had passed when the power interruption occurred, the alarm will sound after power returns.

In this status, if “” does not light up, ALARM RESET/OFF, SNOOZE/BRIGHTNESS, and alarm mode functions are available. The snooze time will be fixed to only 10 minutes if SNOOZE/BRIGHTNESS has been pressed.

Setting the sleep timer

You can fall asleep to the radio using the sleep timer, which turns off the radio automatically after a preset duration.

• Press SLEEP.
  The radio turns on. Each time you press SLEEP, the duration (in minutes) changes as follows:

  

  The radio will play for the duration you set, then shut off.

• To deactivate the sleep timer, press SLEEP repeatedly to set the sleep timer to “OFF.”
• To turn off the radio before the preset time, press ALARM RESET/OFF.

To use both the sleep timer and alarm

You can fall asleep to the radio and also be awakened by the radio or buzzer alarm at the preset time.
Set the alarm, then set the sleep timer.

Note: When the alarm is set to sound during the sleep timer duration, the sleep timer will be deactivated automatically when the alarm sounds.

Setting the brightness of the display

Three levels of brightness are available.

Press SNOOZE/BRIGHTNESS. Each time you press SNOOZE/BRIGHTNESS, the brightness of the display changes as follows:

Note:

• When the alarm is sounding or the snooze function is active, the brightness of the display cannot be changed.

About the battery as a backup power source

This unit contains a CR2032 battery as a backup power source to keep the clock operating during a power interruption.

When to replace the battery
When the battery is discharged, “” appears on the display.
If a power interruption occurs while the battery is discharged, the current time and alarm will be erased.

Note for customers in the UK

The clock is preset at the factory, and its memory is powered by the preinstalled Sony CR2032 battery. If the “0:00” flashes on the display when the unit is connected to an AC outlet for the first time, the battery may be discharged. In this case, consult a Sony dealer. The preinstalled CR2032 battery is considered part of the product and is covered by the warranty. You are required to show “Note for customers in the UK” (in this instruction) to a Sony dealer in order to validate the warranty for this product.

Replacing the backup battery

1. Keep the AC plug connected to the wall outlet and remove the battery compartment on the bottom of the unit by pulling it up while sliding the tab. (See Fig. A-1.)
2. Insert a new battery into the battery compartment with the side facing up.
   To remove the battery from the battery compartment, push it out from the side marked PUSH. (See Fig. A-2.)
3. Insert the battery compartment back into the unit along the groove and push it from above until it clicks. (See Fig. A-3.)
   The tab locks the battery compartment.
4. Press RADIO to remove “” from the display.

Notes

• When you replace the battery, do not disconnect the AC plug from the wall outlet. Otherwise, the current date, current time, and alarm will be erased.
• If the unit will be left unplugged for a long time, remove the battery to avoid any damage that may be caused by leakage or corrosion.

WARNING

• 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.
• Do not install the appliance in a confined space, such as a bookcase or built-in cabinet.
• Do not expose batteries or apparatus with battery-installed to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like.
• 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.
• 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.

CAUTION
Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same type.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

WARNING

• Battery may explode if handled incorrectly. Do not recharge, disassemble or dispose of in fire.
• Dispose of used battery promptly and in accordance with local environmental laws and guidelines. Keep away from children.

Precautions

• Operate the unit on the power sources specified in “Specifications.”
• To disconnect the power cord (mains lead), pull it out by the plug, not the cord.
• Do not leave the unit in a location near a heat source, such as a radiator or air duct, or in a place subject to direct sunlight, excessive dust, mechanical vibration, or shock.
• Allow adequate air circulation to prevent internal heat build-up. Do not place the unit on a surface (a rug, blanket, etc.) or near materials (a curtain) that might block the ventilation holes.
• Should any solid object or liquid fall into the unit, unplug the unit and have it checked by a qualified personnel before operating it any further.
• 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 connect the antenna lead to the external antenna.

NOTES ON LITHIUM BATTERY

• Dispose of used battery promptly. Keep the lithium battery out of the reach of children. Should the battery be swallowed, immediately consult a doctor.
• Wipe the battery with a dry cloth to assure a good contact.
• Be sure to observe the correct polarity when installing the battery.
• Do not hold the battery with metallic tweezers, otherwise a short-circuit may occur.
• Do not expose the battery to excessive heat such as direct sunlight, fire or the like.

Troubleshooting

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

The clock flashes “0:00” or “AM 12:00” after a power interruption.

• The battery is discharged. Remove the old battery and insert a new one.

Unsatisfactory reception

• Extend the FM wire antenna fully to increase reception sensitivity.

  

• Rotate the unit horizontally for optimum reception. A ferrite bar AM antenna is built into the unit.

  

• Do not operate the unit over a steel desk or metal surface, as this may lead to interference.

The radio or buzzer alarm does not sound at the preset alarm time.

• Check that “” appears on the display.

The radio alarm is activated but no sound is emitted at the preset alarm time.

• Adjust the volume using VOLUME +/–.

When daylight saving time (summer time) begins, the clock does not switch to daylight saving time (summer time) automatically. (UK model only)

• Make sure the clock is set correctly.
• When “Aut → On” appears on the display after pressing and holding DST for more than 3 seconds, the Automatic DST/summer time function becomes active.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Easy to Use: Intuitive interface with large buttons.
• Reliable Performance: Clear FM reception and accurate timekeeping.
• Compact Design: Fits well in small spaces.
• Multiple Functions: Includes dual alarms, sleep timer, and battery backup.

Cons

• No AM Radio Tuner: Limited to FM radio only.
• No USB Port: No option to charge devices or play digital media.
• No Bluetooth Connectivity: Cannot stream music from smartphones or tablets.

Customer Reviews

Customer reviews praise the Sony FM Clock Radio ICF-C1 for its straightforward setup process and reliable performance. Many users appreciate its clear display and intuitive controls, making it easy to operate even for those who are less tech-savvy. However, some users have noted that it lacks AM radio tuning and modern features like Bluetooth connectivity.

Common complaints include the absence of digital media playback options and the lack of a USB port for charging devices.