/diy/ - Do It Yourself

I have a bottom-tier worthless AM/FM radio that can also receive shortwave bands (just basic ones like 31m, 25m, 45m, and seven others that I can't remember). I want to maximise my fun with it. It has an aerial that sticks out the top; is that enough to get me a good signal? Across the ten bands of shortwave, I get about 3-4 radio stations that I can actually listen to. That's awful, but I know that not all radio stations broadcast 24/7 so I shouldn't expect too much. Is there anything I can do to improve reception? I live in England and was listening to Cuban radio last night, but I want some Eastern European stations. I was listening at night.

I'm sorry if your thread gets hundreds of requests like these. If you have a babby pleb guide to just listening to shortwave radio, I'll happily read it.