wrote:
First, I'm an absolute newbie.

That's an advantage, as you have fewer preconceived notions.

I bought an old Grundig 2540 multiband receiver at an estate sale

Does it look like this?

http://radioatticarchives.com/images...540U_Jones.jpg

Tht's a handsome set. You might want to ask at
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.antiques.radio+phono
too, as it is old enough to be of interest to those folks.

Grundig has recycled the number 2540; it is now the model number for a
TV set.