Have even enjoyed the goofy flamer
posts, tee hee.

ah man LJ, don't egg it on. :-(

I've tried laying it out in the middle of the yard, just one long
length running pretty much N/S.


There you go.



Mostly, I'd like to ensure the best reception possible. Is there
anything else I can try?

Indeed

..

I'm unemployed at the moment, so money is
short but I have lots of time to play around.

You don't need a lot of money LJ. Go and get you some thin wire (or
thicker-your preference) and add an alligator cip with it. There was just a
great post in here on this.

At Rat Shack (if you can't solder) pick up some alligator clip that have screws
and some wire and run the wire to your clips and screw them down.

Clip the alligator clip to your whip and get that wire outside and as long and
as high as you can.

Make sure to try an stay away from anything that gives of any RF (like light
posts etc.)

Experiment and have fun. :-)