The message
from "Dave Plowman (News)" contains these words:

I have a cheap alarm radio tuned to Classic FM which is not the
strongest signal around. Normal listening is all but impossible due to
interference unless I either hold the aerial wire or put my hand very
close to the radio itself. The first option gives perfect clarity and
the second reasonable listening but I find the need to be part of the
system too restricting to be comfortable about either. Is there anything
I could usefully use as a substitute? I have no idea why I should
improve the reception so don't know what to try out.

I was originally going to badge this query as OT but on second thoughts
it does seem distinctly diy.

The answer is simple. You need a better aerial. Implementing that may be
more difficult. You could try extending the wire aerial. About 1 metre
vertical is roughly what's needed for FM.

Thanks to Dave and the others who have replied.

The radio has an aerial almost 1 metre long (38") which was
approximately vertical but the inboard end was twisted round the power
cable and hanging slackly didn't help either. Straightening the aerial
has transformed the reception. I hope it remains transformed after dark
when the reception has previously been at its worst.

--
Roger Chapman