Sony XDR-F1 HD Radio Cooling & Memory Enhancements

This video shows how to enhance a Sony XDR-F1 HD Radio for improved internal cooling and extended memory retention. These radios are among the best AM/FM tuners available, but they run HOT and benefit from improved internal cooling using a small fan. They also have very short memory retention during a power failure, so we can add a super cap to extend that to a few hours. Of course, please proceed at your own risk!

Parts List:
- 1.5F@ 5.5V super capacitor
- 47-ohm resistor
- 1N4001 or equiv diode
- 12 Fan (e.g. Noctua NF-A4x10FLX)
- Hookup wire

See also these excellent resources:

[elmarst]

Thanks for the video - mods done and work good! Quite a tuner there. Any idea how to make the front window much brighter??

[stusax]

Nice video, how long does the capacitor retain the memory after radio is unplugged?

[InvincibleViolinist]

Wondering how the fan works, being outside of the shields and heat sink. I saw another modded radio where the fan is mounted horizontally and inside that central shielded area.

[DutchplaceNL]

Thx for this, very easy to do so iam gonna try it out :)

[raysrcsandtech]

Once I can find one I will do this.. Shame Sony no longer sells this... Just got into HD Radio and its a very underrated service for sure. For now just got the portable Sangean

[byronjeffries]

Can you add a second fan to the same access points as the first fan?
Thanks for the great video.

[miguelmejia]

Forgive me is you answered this already but what wattage is the 47ohm resistor (.5W, .25W, or 1W)? Thank you

[evorice]

I was wondering where did you buy that right angle radio antenna from. I can't seem to find it online. Any additional info and links to where to get one would be well appreciated. Thanks!