[winston763]

I agree with the voltage differences but i can't seem to bring them down(on 24) /up (on 35).  

However, it seems to come back to the tickler coil i wound, as you stated.

For an experiment, I coiled a separate tube with more turns than i originally did on the tickler and connected the 2 open ends with alligator clips to the same points as the tickler.  In other words a supplemental "booster" coil.  Now i can align up and down the dial - i get 830 loud and strong along with the other stations for the first time. 

HOWEVER, the alignment is a very 'compressed' band on the dial with 830 located at 1100 or so and all the stations up to 1600. 

so, when i 'fixed' the actual tickler does this result point to too many "turns" as a result of this "booster" coil?  At least i know how to get the stations but ideally they'd like up better to the dial.
Sure appreciate your help !
Rich