Hi

Just a short guide here. The telescopic antenna on a radio is not intended for AM 540 kHz - 1700 kHz reception. It will do nothing for the AM band reception since it is not hooked to the AM antenna circuitry . There is a built in antenna called a ferrite rod antenna inside of portable radios that is for the AM band. You can get the most out of your radio on the AM band by turning the whole radio toward the station being sought to listen to.

On some radios there is a AM antenna connection on the back or side of the radio to where you can hook up a external antenna. When hooking up a external AM antenna generally the longer the wire the better 65 feet upwards of wire plus it really needs to be ran outdoors to do any good.

Another real important part of a good AM antenna configuration is the GROUND. To help cut down on noise received on the AM Band be sure to run a ground wire ran from the radios ground connection to either a ground rod or a cold water pipe on the home. This will generally help with noise and will sometimes make that distant station come in clearer.

Also any TV, CRT Computer Monitor, Flourescent Light, and some Fans, Motors, Appliances have a tendency to create noise and sometimes make it impossible to pick up those AM stations especially distant stations. Be sure to turn them off and the noise will usually go away greatly.

For AM DX you can pick up some stations especially local during the Daylight hours. During the Nightime hours you can pick up stations hundreds of miles away.

AM DXing is a fun hobby that is generally inexpensive compared to alot of hobbies. some Excellent Radios for AM DXing Are the GE Superadio Series Radios 1,2, and 3. and also the CC Crane Plus Radio Series. Some other Brands are the Grundig S 350, Eton S 350, Tecsun BCL 2000 and Tecsun BCL 3000 as well as many older Sonys, Zeniths, Magnavox and Panasonics. As well as Many Shortwave radios like the DX 160, DX 394, Sangean Ats 909.

                                                     Happy AM Dxing Peanutpaster