Pete,

Another helpful tool is:

http://www.anarc.org/naswa/swlguide/

Scroll down to the bottom and click on
"LIST PROGRAMS AT CURRENT HOUR"

It's sort of like a TV Guide for Shortwave radio.

That SSB (Single Side Band) switch should be off for now. It is used
primarily for the Amateur Bands (Ham Radio). It can be used on AM broadcasts
in certain situations to cut down on interference but we are skipping ahead
just a bit.

There is another possibility in all of this and this is that the radio could
be defective. You should be able to pick up something. Let's not throw in
the towel just yet though.

CAUTION! This is a last resort suggestion. I take no responsibility for the
outcome. Sometimes when things appear hopeless, I read the instruction
booklets. Yes I know that this sounds desperate but there have been times
when I have actually gotten useful information from these things. Try it if
you haven't already to see if there might be some useful tidbit of
information that would pull this whole thing together.

You might want to list what city (not address) you are in and possible
someone on here is located there and can help you out by checking out your
radio by letting you hook it up to one of their antennas.

One other thing, if you are using batteries, make sure that they are fresh.
This can have an effect. Keep us informed on your progress.