"clvrmnky" wrote
Currently (with a random-wire antenna) the radio seems to not care what
is on the "ground" side. This is hardly scientific, but when I attach a
good number of feet (i.e., more than the length of the antenna) of
copper wire to the ground side of the antenna input (or touch it with my
hand) I get no noticeable change to tuned stations or between-station
noise. I may hear the slightest bit "tick" of noise when my finger
makes first contact with the case of the plug that goes to chassis
ground. Nothing obvious, however.

that's normal - wait until you discover "the paper clip principle"...

Or, "when a paper clip attached to the back of the radio receives as much as
your just erected antenna", LOL. Stranger things happen, and it helps if you
record in a log what your antenna experiments have yielded. If you use the
S-meter to help relate signal strength (including noise levels), remember to
measure it against at least three frequencies in your intended listening
range (lowest, mid-range, and highest). No antenna treats the whole hf
spectrum the same and you may develop favorite arrangements for particular
listening desires.

Good luck,

Jack Painter
Virginia Beach, Virginia