clock radio / radio lifespan?

[eccerr0r]

It's the pinout and the wiring mess that ensues that is discouraging. I also have some intact 40(?)-pin 3½-digit LCDs that I could also use too but not sure of their pinouts or if I want to use them for this purpose -- though the 2-digit LCDs I have a boatload that I could do destructive experimentation on...

BTW, another torture I put on that 3½ display I pictured - I drove the decimal points with square wave DC which is bad. Not for way too long though, but I'd expect it to only affect the decimal points and not the other segments.

[UserXP]

I have a few Sony ICF-C12W units, which were introduced around 1980. One was successfully converted to 220V power supply, thanks to help from good people here.
One is pending capacitors replacement, so hopefully it will work again as intended.
I simply love these units, I gave two away to my cousins and they still work. They are at least 40 years old and with original caps still going. Two units I have were made in Japan, those are equipped with Rubycons. One from Malasia is with Elna and Lelon caps. The one I currently have disassembled uses some Tracon caps and does not turn on the radio. It is the only one that needs fixing, the rest are fully functional with all the original 40 years old components. The display uses a VFD tube that produces a very nice light blue color for the symbols.