I own a Sangean ATS 818cs and have had good results with it so far.  There is 
excellent reception with the periscope antenna when you're in a rural 
location.  That is, an area away from the standard commonplace noises that 
are found in large cities or urban locations.  I have used both a Sony AN-1 
active antenna (mounted outside on a twenty foot pole) and a 110 foot long 
wire for external antennae.  Both seem to offer good results.  To achieve 
elimination of some noise, you can make a slight counter-clockwise adjustment 
by turning down your AM RF gain knob on the 818.  This works especially well 
when there is a lot of storm related static with those familiar crackles and 
pops.  For some odd reason I have also found the RF gain knob to be useful in 
eliminating some side splatter from stations adjacent to a frequency I've got 
tuned in.  Happy Monitoring...Brian.
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