This seems to be the best explanation yet of why that wire was there.

PP



Crazy question re foregoing!
The Hallicrafters S38 and S53 were post-war receivers; correct?
So that extra wire would have nothing to do with that war time ruling
that there were instructions that the short wave-bands of receivers in
certain parts of North America, during WWII, be disabled to
(supposedly) prevent enemy spies from receiving instructions via short-
wave?
Sounds like some of the same paranoia that we hear today!
More personally; in Britain, I recall as a child during WWII,
listening with my grandfather to propaganda broadcasts from Germany;
just a short distance across the North Sea.
Particularly to 'Lord Haw Haw' (William Joyce), who operated much in
the manner of Tokyo Rose; trying to disseminate false information and
British public dissatisfaction with Allied governments and military
commanders. Didn't work btw.
Some of his material was greeted with guffaws and remarks such as
"That's the third time he's sunk that ship"! After the war it was
ruled that he was a traitor, having held a British passport, despite
claiming an Irish grandfather and he was hanged. Also recall my father
sarcastically remarking "Pity they hanged him; he could have continued
his career as a radio comedian"!
Thanks for reading.