JW,

Modified 1/8" Mono Plug for a 'portable' Radio's Ground Connection
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/9097

As you have discovered, most of the time a 'portable' AM / FM
Shortwave Radio's Earphone Jack is also coupled to the Radio's
RF internal circuitry and is also RF Signal Ground.

Using a modified 1/8" Mono Plug can allow you to connect a
Ground Wire to the Radio for improved Signal and lower Noise.

MODIFIED - 1/8" Mono Plug for a 'portable' Radio's Ground Connection :
1. Remove the Tip Section of the 1/8" Mono Plug leaving
just the Rear Barrel Section and Solder Terminal.
2. Solder a Wire (Ground Wire) to the Solder Terminal.
3. Connect the Wire to Ground or the Shack's Ground.
4. Plug the 1/8" Mono Plug into the Radio's Earphone Jack.
Your Radio is now Grounded.

TIP - This is also a good Travel Ground Connection to
have in your Travel Radio's Travelling Bag. Modified
1/8" Mono Plug on one end of a 3'-5' piece of Wire and
an Alligator Clip on the other end to clip-on to things.


WHAT ABOUT AN ANTENNA ?

* Collapse the Radio's Whip Antenna and connect an
External Wire Antenna directly to the Whip Antenna
for improved FM and Shortwave reception.
Note -Some times this also works for AM/MW reception too.

* Wrap a few turns of the Exteral Antenna Wire
around the Radio to couple the RF Signal to the
Radio's built-in AM/MW Ferrite Rod Antenna.

TIP - You may wish to consider using a "PWA"
Portable Wire Antenna (PWA) - by Tom Sevart
PWA = http://www.geocities.com/n2uhc/portablewire.html

READ - A Compilation of "Portable Wire Antenna" (PWA) Messages
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/5871
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/5894


hope this helps - iane ~ RHF