In article .com,
"RHF" wrote:

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

All righty then, I ask why should you care about picking up the ground
side? Will this make the reception less noisy? Is it worth the trouble?

Theoretically it should help but like all things pertaining to antennas
it will depend on the situation at hand.

If you connect the radio ground to the other half of a dipole or other
Hertzian type antenna it should reduce common mode pickup, which is the
main mode of local noise pickup.

I'll explain why this is if anyone cares to know.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California