By far the most important thing you can do to
improve your shortwave reception is to install an
outdoor antenna.

     An outdoor antenna doesn't need to be fancy or expensive. In most cases, all you need to do is run a length of wire from your radio, under the window sill, and into a near-by tree. When installing an antenna, the rule is: THE LONGER AND HIGHER, THE BETTER.

How long does the antenna need to be? and how high?
     In most cases, 50 to 100 feet of wire run at an elevation of 10 to 20 feet will do wonders for shortwave reception.

What kind of wire do I need? Does it need to be insulated?
     Almost any kind of wire will do. (However, be sure to use copper wire, not steel electric-fence wire.) The wire may be solid or stranded, but stranded wire is more flexible and less prone to breakage. From the standpoint of radio waves, the wire doesn't have to be insulated, but insulated wire is safer to use inside the house, where it might come into contact with an electric receptacle. The wire can be of very small diameter (or gauge). If the wire is of too small a gauge, it will easily stretch and break. If the wire is of too large a gauge, it will be difficult to handle. Probably the best choice is a roll of 20 to 22 gauge stranded insulated wire. Doorbell wire is fine, except it is not stranded, so it will eventually break from fatigue after a few months of flexing in the wind. A radio supply store or a transformer shop can provide what is called "magnet wire," which is solid copper wire with enamel insulation. Magnet wire is small in diameter and inexpensive, and is particularly suitable for indoor wire antennas.
     A spool of wire can be purchased from dealers such as Radio Shack, from hardware stores, or from the electrical department of home-improvement stores.

Do I need antenna insulators?
     Antenna insulators are not necessary for most receiving antennas, particularly when using insulated wire. Instead of fastening an insulator to a tree and then fastening the end of the antenna wire to the insulator, it is usually adequate to tie a small weight (such as a lead fishing sinker) to the end of the antenna wire, and simply throw the wire over a tree limb.

Does it make any difference which way the antenna points? Should I run it east-west? or north-south? or should I orient it vertically?
     The wire should be oriented so the radio signals you wish to receive will strike it from the side. Suppose that you wish to receive the broadcast from WWCR in Nashville. If you live due west of Nashville, you should try to run your antenna wire north-south. If you live due north or due south of Nashville, you should try to run your antenna wire east-west. Orientation isn't terribly critical. Actually, the only really bad orientation of the antenna is to point it directly at the station you wish to receive.
     A antenna oriented vertically will receive signals from all directions, but it is usually difficult to hang a vertical wire antenna which is long enough to be effective.

What if I can't get an antenna outside?
     If you just can't get an antenna outside, get very small wire (such as magnet wire) and a box of map tacks (or a staple gun). Use the tacks to fasten the wire to the wall as high as possible, and run the wire in as nearly a straight line as you can.

How do I connect the antenna wire to my radio?
     Leave the radio's built-in telescoping antenna collapsed. Simply wrap several turns of the end of the antenna wire around the radio's built-in antenna. You don't even need to remove the insulation from the wire. If your antenna is made of stranded wire, you may prefer to purchase an alligator clip, connect the end of the antenna wire to the alligator clip, and then clip the wire onto the radio's built-in antenna.

What about a ground wire?
     Don't worry about installing a ground wire. Few portable short wave radios have provision for attachment of a ground wire. Even if a radio does have provision for attaching a ground wire, in most cases a ground wire won't improve reception.

Sometimes I heard loud buzzing or popping when I try to tune in a shortwave broadcast. What can I do about it?
     Lamp dimmers and fluorescent lamps frequently cause interference. Try turning off the lights in the house one by one while you are listening to a shortwave broadcast. If the noise stops when you turn off the light, you have found the culprit. Keep in mind the fact that more than one light may be responsible for the interference. Some lamp dimmers cause interference even when they are switched off, and sometimes the interference disappears when the dimmer is ON, but at a low setting. Experiment!

Where can I go for help?
Many amateur radio operators are knowledgeable and willing to help solve reception and interference problems. To find a amateur radio operator, try asking at local electronics stores (hobbyist and professional), or look for an automobile with RADIO OPERATOR license plates.
     If you are searching for technical information, one of the very best sources is the American Radio Relay League in Newington, Connecticut, U.S.A. The A.R.R.L. i old and venerated organization of amateur radio operators, and has a wealth of books, booklets, and leaflets on all phases of amateur radio, and on shortwave communications in particular. A.R.R.L. publications may be found in most public libraries and in many hobbyist electronic stores.