BR>| MR> The real trick with any antenna is to have a proper grounding system.

BR>Should/can I just tie circuit ground to an Earth ground? AC or DC side tap?
BR>you can see I know just enough about electrons to be dangerous 

 I would not mess with any radio that didn't have an External Ground
 connection. It can be Dangerious.
And since you are talking about a Weather radio picking up local
contacts the importance of a ground is lessened.
Now for a DX hunter looking for that rare station it can be Very
important. Long wire antennas typicaly don't require any special ground
plane also.
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 þ SLMR 2.1a þ This note from El Cajon California USA