Do you have a call sign?

no, no call sign, I have just been given a shortwave radio
Realistic DX-300 Shortwave Radio Receiver.
I was told I could just hang a good length of wire out in the tree and it
will work.
It does but thought I would have a bit of a go at improving things.
I read a lot on the ham radio news groups, but you can get bitten when you
ask a question,
so thought would try here. I quite like listening to ham types, and the
techno talk, not too keen on the 5/9 next please bust busy contacts, but
when people have real conversations about making stuff its good listening.
.. thanks anyhow.