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Thank you, both Joatman and Klaynos, for taking time to provide responses to my query. I tried the easier suggested solution of placing my portable radio on the rear parcel shelf in my car (and also alternatively on the back seat). Either place worked equally well and quite satisfactorily --like "magic"! By definition, "magic" is something which "works" without a person's understanding the involved science or sciences. But both of you provided scientific explanations as to where the interference likely comes from and also, likely how the vicinity of my palm near the radio remarkably reduces the interference. So I thank you both for both suggesting solutions AND providing scientific explanations. Diverse sciences and diverse applications of sciences --technologies-- both form sources of immense joy --intellectually and practically-- for us human beings. Regards.

The factory-installed radio in my car does not work. So I purchased from Radio Shack a palm size battery-operated radio. There is a favorite radio station which I like to listen to by keeping the radio on the passenger seat when I am driving the car alone. The problem is that when I tune in for that station, I get quite a bit of interference --hissing sound-- which more or less disappears (and I am able to listen to the station quite well) if I either hold the radio in my palm or even place my palm about six inches away from the radio. Needless to say that this solution is useless while I am driving the car. As a possible alternative solution to improve the radio's selectivity in capturing the electromagnetic waves broadcast by my favorite radio station, I hooked up an 18" long metal wire to the antenna, but that solution does not work. Ca you please suggest a solution to my problem? Also, as a scientific curiosity, how does the vicinity of my palm near the radio or my holding the radio in my hand exactly improve the tuning selectivity? Thank you! Regards.