Yes, that was a significant problem in the earlier models. We'll get to that in a moment.
jr, the Sony AN-LP1 was discontinued some years ago, and it's very hard to find - if you do happen to find it, it's a real keeper. Probably accounts for not seeing too many of them on used lists. There are newer loops, such as the Degen DE31, and a link for a comparison article between the 2 can be found
here
and if you don't mind getting out the old soldering iron and doing a bit of building the
Carpet Loop is also worth looking at. I'm using it now for my RX320; it's not as quiet as I had hoped, but it is pulling in more tropical band sigs than the random wire I have fed through a 4:1 balun.
Now back to the 2010 - suprisingly there is a very active Yahoo group for the 2010 - and a few pages with mods, FAQS (yes, they mention the blown FET problem) and more - here on this page of
links on the well known RadioIntel website. Those pages should be saved for future ref.
The 2010 is one of the highest regarded old portables out there today. It's been out of production for a few years now, but most reviewers - if they get their hands on one - when they do comparisons against other portables, the 2010 is the definite benchmark. Keep static away from that radio and it will serve you well. I know several VoA correspondents that used to use it to keep in touch.
73s Mike
