Wow, thanks for the great answers guys!
I've played around with the radio a little more (I have the owners manual.) The switch in the battery compartment is @ 10khz, and I have the RF Gain all the way up when checking out SW. I've changed between the wide/ narrow switch etc. I have hooked up a piece of 15 ft wire (indoors) to the external antenna jack, but I am still having lousy luck. As an example, I scanned 5,500-6,200 KHz last night about 9:30 pm. I get lots of strong "signals" as per the signal strength LED's but they are only static (correct term?) and nothing more.
I'm beginning to think the location where I live is to blame
and the sunspot thing.
I have been able to pick up a couple Canadian, Japanese, Chinese and religious programs but overall it hasn't been much.
I haven't had the chance to check out the radioreference site yet.
I also need to find out what the BFO pitch switch and dial is all about. I have tried it both on and off, but off seems to do better until I do my homework.
SW is exciting to me, and I can't wait till I get some real results.
Thanks again!
~R