My grandmother would put the battery on the war oven door of the wood stove to prolong the life of it. Then we would often go outside and pour water on the ground near the groundwire, to get better reception. Also would tie the antenna wire to a bottle and throw it high (as we could) up in a tree to help things out. We would also listen to "Supper Time Frolick" and Lum and Abner, from WJD in Chicago. I was very young but have a good memory of all those things!