BM,

Like most suggestions - This is not a perfect suggestion
that works for everyone all the time.

This is simply one of those suggestions that if you try it;
it just may work for you; this time and the next time it
may not do anything or even make things worse.

The main idea is to see 'if' by adding a Ground to the
un-grounded Radio {Grounding the RF Signal Ground
Side of the Radio's internal circuitry}

So starting with a low cost 'portable' AM / FM Shortwave
Radio with a Plastic Case that does not have an External
Antenna Input or an Exposed Ground Connection.

FOUR TRICKS TO TRY FOR BETTER
AM {MEDIUM WAVE} RECEPTION :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/9137

1. Touch a Finger Tip to the Tip of the Whip Antenna
- - - Does the Radio's Reception Improve or get Noiser ?
Try this on the AM, FM and Shortwave Bands

2. Touch a Finger Tip to Exposed Ring of Earphone Jack.
- - - Does the Radio's Reception Improve or get Noiser ?
Try this on the AM, FM and Shortwave Bands

3. Take a 15-20 Foot piece of Insulated Wire and strip-off
an Inch of Insulation from one end and attach the Wire to the
Collapsed Whip Antenna. Route the Wire around the Room.
- - - Does the Radio's Reception Improve or get Noiser ?
Try this on the AM, FM and Shortwave Bands

Finally we get to the root of this suggestion . . . # 4

4. Take a 3-6 Foot piece of Insulated Wire and strip-off
an Inch of Insulation from both ends and attach one end
to a ground within the room (Cold Water Pipe?). Make
sure that the Radio's Whip Antenna is fully extended.
Next "Touch" this Wire to the Exposed Ring of the
Radio's Earphone Jack.
- - - Does the Radio's Reception Improve or get Noiser ?
Try this on the AM, FM and Shortwave Bands
HEY - Even try Touching this Ground Wire to the
Radio's Collapsed Whip Antenna )
- - - Does the Radio's Reception Improve or get Noiser ?

"IF" - When you "Touch" the Wire to the Exposed Ring
of the Earphone Jack the Radio's Reception Improves.
Then Modify an 1/8" Mono-Plug to put into the Earphone
Jack to connect a Ground to the Radio for Improved
Reception all the time {most of the time}.

READ - Antenna's for AM/MW Reception:
http://www.marcspages.co.uk/tech/antmwrec.htm
Marc's Technical Pages - by Marc Dekenah
Choosing the AM/MW Antenna:
- The Short-Low Capacitance;
- The Medium Impedance -
- Low Impedance Antennas.

READ - AM Radio Reception - Tips and Links
-by- Rich Lee Bruce
http://www.geocities.com/richleebruce/amradio.html

READ - How to Get Better AM Radio Reception
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip...2/amradio.html
-by- The Pilot of the Airwaves
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip...332/index.html


hope clarifies a few things and helps - iane ~ RHF