Improved AM radio reception with magnets

Factual Questions
1

Last year I had the pleasure of canoeing a remote part of Alaska. I ran into a bona-fide mountain man type trapper, and enjoyed my visit with him. During our visit, he told me about a method to greatly improve AM radio reception. He uses two strong opposing magnets and fixes them a short distance apart (0.5-1.0 inch?) then places the antenna wire between the magnets as close as he can without touching the wire.

I’ve asked a couple radio types who have never heard of it. He swears its true; though of course, I’m skeptical. I would think the “great improvement” he sees is more due to the 50 foot wire he has running up a tree then the magnets.

Has anyone heard of this? and is there some truth to it?

2

Yep; thought I had everyone stumped. The lack of response, probably means no one has ever heard of it. Sounds like a good science fair experiment.

One bump, then goodbye.

3

Well call me skeptical - it would sure seem like some HAM would have come up with this now. The 50 feet of wire sure helps. Higher is better than longer. But - anything is possible. There are amplified antennas which tend to just amplify background noise, and big loop style rotating antennas that some use for DXing and separating those long distance stations. What did Mr. Trapper say the magnets do, exactly?

4

if he thinks his reception is greatly improved and it gives him what he is after, more power to him.

5

I wonder what happens to his reception when there’s a stiff breeze, and his antenna wires start wiggling around in that magnetic field?

6

If his antenna should have a bit more inductance to resonate nicely, then adding ferromagnetic magnetic material near the wire would provide that additional inductance. So, this could just mean his antenna was on the capacitive side of resonance.