WM-F5First Sport

Sony WM-F5 feature
WML ID #12
Manufacturer Sony
Model WM-F5
Nick First Sport
Series Sports
Year 1983
Made in Japan
Initial price 33000 ¥
Technical details, specifications
Battery 2AA
Battery life 9h (with 2)
Dimensions 125.2*100.4*42.1 mm (529 cm³) 3D size
Weight 370 gr
Window yes
Frame
plastic
Case
plastic
Carry Clip
Expandable no
Drive Direct Drive
Tape selector Manual switch
Waterproof drop-proof
Speaker no
Frequency range 40-12000@1, 40-15000@4 Hz
FMax output 2x20 mW
Functions
DC in yes
Record by input no
Record by int mic no
Hotline mode yes
 
Cue no
Balance (L/R) no
Phone type 2
Equalizer no
Auto volume no
Auto reverse no
Anti rolling yes
AMS no
Blank skip no
Logic control no
Hold lock no
Bass no
Radio yes
Radio tuner manual
Radio bands fm
Remote control no
Wireless headphone no
Indicator led
Description

The first Walkman developed for use during outdoor activities. Marked the first appearance of the distinctive yellow seen in later sports mo

The WM-F5 was the first “Sports” Walkman model. This meant that it was rugged and splash proof, ideal for use by those whose outdoor activities would ruin normal cassette players.

The strong casing of the WM-F5 was made of extra thick, impact-resistant plastic. The most common colour was yellow, which became the standard livery for Sports models and by looking like certain underwater equipment gave a visual clue to the splash proof construction. Certain markets offered special editions of the WM-F5, for example the Hawaii and Okinawa Beach models.

The unit was made splash proof by having soft rubber seals around all the openings, O-rings around the control spindles and a lid that latched firmly down. The battery compartment and minor controls (tape type, radio sensitivity (local/DX or mono/stereo, depending on the version) were placed inside the cassette compartment, removing the problems of sealing them effectively. The tape transport keys were covered in a shaped rubber mat which kept the dust and water out. The dual headphone sockets were protected by rubber bungs, as was the DC input connector. These were tethered by folding strips which break off with use, so surviving examples are often found with the bungs missing. Despite all these measures, the WM-F5 was not really waterproof, though it would withstand brief immersion without damage.

Inside, the WM-F5 used the same mechanism as the WM-DD. This comes as a surprise as it is not even suggested by the model number. The WM-F5 is also the only DD machine to offer a built-in radio, in this case an excellent FM only section which was activated by an extra control next to the tape transport keys.

Traditional headphones with foam earpads would not have really been suitable for use in wet environments, so instead Sony provided specially designed in-ear ‘phones in matching colours to the rest of the machine. This style of headphone is familiar now but these were amongst the first of this type to be offered with any Walkman. A second pair could be bought at extra cost.
Via walkmancentral (edited)

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Created 2021-07-10 18:46:34
Updated 2023-06-04 21:20:15
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Comments
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befresh @ 2022-12-28 09:13:03

This is also a DD walkman, maybe add it to that category as well? — Edit: correct, this is a WM-DD internally with added radio.

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