[morzh]

OK. First good nooz.

The radio sings loud.
The problem was bad soldering of divider resistors so none of the toobs really conducted except the output one (hence the weak reception), as all SGs were at 0V. What drew my attention was that all plates were sitting at 320V and this was also the B+. So I measured the SG dividers....sure'nuff.

Now bad nooz is the tuning cap or chassis as a whole when touched gets scratchy and, as if there is had connection, and the reception goes away.
There is also howling when the volume is at the max or close.

But...progress.