I used it like any portable and took it on trips all over the US just listened to world radio and music.  Not realizing the true power to be unlocked by this little gem of radio design.

Not until 2007 when I was granted my first ham license did I really start appreciating this Sony performance. I can bring in Slow Scan TV, RTTY, CW, PSK31.  I don't mean just hear them. I can decode them with a soundcard and PC to good  degree of quality. 

You can use a PC or  laptop to grab fascinating code and images from the HF airwaves with this small receiver,.

It is also possible to use this tiny receiver in conjunction with a PDA such as a iPaq h5500 as decoder. Some pretty good but poorly documented software is out there called PocketDigi. Pocket Digi does PSK31, CW, RTTY and more all on a iPaq PDA. 

I really have a difficult time believing such a small unit with such a small antenna can do so much

You really can't find these units in stores or much on the web. Your best bet is eBay.

Below I have pasted some decoded Wefax and RTTY captured by the IFC-SW100. 

PDF IFC-SW100 manual

 RTTY using Sony ICF-SW100s receiver, SeaTTY decoding shareware software, and  soundcard ). (See below)

CANADIAN FORCES METOC CENTRE, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA

MARINE FORECAST FOR NEWFOUNDLAND ISSUED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA AT
3.30 PM EST ON THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2007 FOR TONIGHT AND FRIDAY WITH
AN OUTLOOK FOR SATURDAY.
THE NEXT SCHEDULED FORECAST WILL BE ISSUED AT 8.00 PM.
BELLE ISLE
NORTHEAST COAST
BELLE ISLE BANK SOUTHWESTERN HALF.
WINDS LIGHT BECOMING SOUTHEAST 15 KNOTS OVERNIGHT THEN
INCREASING TO SOKTVOVBS25 FRIDAY 

 CHANGING TO RAINI FRIDAY AFTERNOON. VISIBILITY FAIR TO POOR IN
PRECIPITATION. TEMPERATURES NEAR MINUS ONE RISING TO NEAR 4 FRIDAY
AFTERNOON.
OUTLOOK FOR SATURDAY...STRONG TO GALE FORCE SOUTH WESTERLIES.
BELLE ISLE BANK NORTHEASTERN HALF.
WINDS WESTERLY 15 KNOTS DIMINISHING TO LIGHT OVERNIGHT. WINDS
BECOMING EASTERLY 15 FRIDAY AFTERNOON THEN VEERING TM SOUTHEAST 20
FRIDAY EVENING. SNOW BEGINNING FRIDAY MORNING CHANGING TO RAIN
FRIDAY EVENING. VISIBILITY FAIR TO POOR IN PRECIPITATION.
TEMPERATURES NEAR ZERO RISING TO NEAR 4 FRIDAY EVENING.
OUTLOOK FOR SATURDAY...STRONG SOUTHERLY.
NORTHEAST GULF.
WINDS LIGHT BECOMING SOUTHEAST 15 KNOTS THIS EVENING THEN
INCREASING TO SOUTHEAST 25 TO 30 FRIDAY MORNING. WINDS
DIMINISHING TO SOUTHWEST 20 FRIDAY EVENING. SNOW BEGINNING THIS
EVENING CHANGING TO RAIN FRIDAY MORNING. VISIBILITY FAIR TO POOR

SSTV Using ICF-SW100s receiver