I live in a low area in VA and have difficulty picking up local
stations.

I am interested in finding a AM radio that has a strong internal
antenna and the ability to attach an external antenna either through
coax or normal antenna wire. It may have FM but that is not a
priority.

I am not interested in a ham radio. I already have a Gundig (?) Yacht
Boy but it is no better that a normal radio.

 I would like to know the brand, price, where to buy and the reason
for
the recommendation.

Unicow:

Every query I used ("best AM radio", "super AM radio", "best AM radio
made", etc.) all point to the same product, the 'CCRadio plus' by C.
Crane Company. http://www.ccrane.com/ccradio.asp

The radio sells for $159.95 and you can order it over the Net.
 
Standard shipping to the United States is free and they offer express
shipping at ‘standard’ prices.

Reviews and Testimonials-
http://www.ccrane.com/pressroom/press_room_products_ccradio_plus_reviews_index.htm

CCRadio plus Press Kit-
http://www.ccrane.com/pressroom/press_room_products_ccradio_plus_index.htm


Check out the following site. It has plenty of great information for
improving your reception. It all so has a review of the CCRadio and
it’s nearest competitors the Radio Shack 12-603 and the The GE
SuperRadio III.

How to Get Better AM Radio Reception - 
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Towers/3332/amradio.html


And of course C.Crane sell the antennas
http://www.ccrane.com/am_antennas.asp


Happy Trails,
Waldo

Hi unicow,

I'm going to comment, because I don't have the exact answer for you -
but perhaps some of my suggestions might work.

I do have a Grundig - from Radio Shack, Model FR-200.  I got it
specifically for the AM reception I want for a certain radio station
that comes on late at night.  I also live in a Valley.  After spending
literally hundreds of dollars on radios this is the one that has
worked for me.  Now...

I called Radio Shack and talked to my manager friend about your
question.  He said: "The Grundig Yacht Boy" is a nice radio, however
it is smaller, has a smaller cable, and is weaker in the AM
deptartment than the FR-200."

If the Yacht Boy you have is the YB400 PE then it does have a plug for
an external antenna.  I don't know what model you have.

In case you are interested in the Grundig FR-200, it has a strong
flashlight, is recycle powered, (has a crank that literally 3 turns
gives you many many hours of listening power)along with a dc plug for
plugging it in.

In addition it has FM, and SW 1&2 World Band.  The radio is compact,
neutral color, has a neat leather strap onlong the top, and also comes
in a canvas camouflage case.  It's very reasonably priced.

I'm only commenting on this because I'm pleased with the radio and
have recommended it to other friends of mine who have had trouble
receiving AM stations.

tlspiegel-ga

Seattle is hilly, often putting a hill between you and your favorite
radio station.  I thought that I might buy some type of signal
booster, but the chaps at Best Buy said, "If you're just trying to
solve the problem for home, your cable system carries the radio
frequencies.  Buy a three-way signal splitter for the cable TV, then
run the signal into your amplifier."

Our problem here is more in the FM bandwidth.  The solution worked,
though the frequency separation (between stations) is not particularly
good, so certain stations aren't as clear.

http://www.ccrane.com/ccradio.asp

Built for AM reception

or

http://www.ccrane.com/ge_super_3.asp

I own the GE3, it has great reception, drawbacks: No external AM
antenna (but has very big internal ferrite antenna), very inaccurate
analog frequency dial, takes a lot of guesswork to find a specific
station.

One alternative to buying a new radio is getting a "passive" external
signal booster.  I don't own one, but have used one, and it definitely
makes a big difference.  You simply place it next to your receiver,
and it generates a stronger signal field, improving reception.  It
does this without any power... no batteries required.  An added
benefit is that it is cheaper than a top-of-the-line AM receiver. 
http://www.selectatenna.com/