[RichG]

Hi Everyone!  First, I wanted to thank all for your kind comments and encouragement.  The radio is still up and running.  I just had to try a sort of 'proof of concept'.  I made a loop antenna with 2 turns of number 12 copper wire.  I put one end in a vise and the other end in my drill and ran the drill for 20 seconds or so.  That straightened and hardened the wire.  I spaced the turns about 3/4" apart and put the assembly in the back of the radio as shown in the picture below. Ya'll can't give me a hard time about the 'sloppy proof of concept', just say'n!!  I wanted to see if that antenna would attenuate some of the static on the high end of the AM band.  The results: reception doesn't seem to be negatively affected, and the static is greatly attenuated.  I'm able to receive some of the weaker stations.  So, I'm thinking of trying to come up with a more permanent and better looking solution.  I may very well have to tweak the antenna padders, might be worth looking into.
Thanks again everyone!!
Rich