[rfeenstra]

Removing the antenna from the antenna clip virtually kills reception.  As I bring my finger closer to the clip without touching it, the stronger stations come in.  I'm sure the RF section is working.  

Now for an update.  I have lengthened the single wire antenna to about 50 ft outside from the 10' to 15' in the basement.  The difference on the low end of the band was dramatic.  Sensitivity and the number of stations I could pull in down there greatly increased.  I think that was the main problem.  I'm so used to the short antennas on modern AM car radios and the loop antennas on the typical AA5 that I didn't realize how dependent these early radios are on the long wire antenna that is so often talked about in the literature.  Perhaps the long antenna not only helps with bringing in stations but is also part of the tuning for the RF coil, especially in the longer wavelengths????  I'm ignorant in some of this and rely on the expertise of you veterans!  Sure is fun playing with this vintage stuff.  Now to start the 96.  It'll be interesting to see how a TRF compares to a superhet.