I'm new to all this.

[BoomboxDX]

The controls sounding scratchy is sort of normal; it happens with controls as they age, as they get used, or as they get a little oxidation or whatever inside them. Cleaning them with some tuner cleaner or control cleaner (deoxit is a popular brand) will reduce or eliminate the scratchiness.

I don't know what you mean by 'jiggling the knobs to get static', but you may want to exercise the bandswitch a little bit to get it to work correctly.

A lot of older radios with real bandswitches can go a little funky if they've not been used in a while.  I had a DX-160 with dead bands until I turned the bandswitch back and forth a few times, which cleared the oxidation off of the contacts, and reception cleared up.

Cleaning the bandswitch with contact cleaner will also help -- but you would want to be *really* careful, some contact cleaner cans emit spray at a high pressure, and you don't want to get contact cleaner sprayed on the tuner dial drum. 

So try exercising the bandswitch back and forth a few times, it should clear that problem up (if that's the problem you are having).

RE: pressing your finger to the antenna connector and getting more stations: you may want to attach a wire to that connector, 20-30 ft or so to start with, and see if that helps bring in the stations. Whip antennas are great on radios when SW conditions are really good, or if you live in an area where SW signals are strong -- but oftentimes you need a wire antenna to really get the most out of any radio.

Hope this helps.

[dace]

This was very helpful Boombox.    I'm starting at square one.  :0) 
Thank you

[Dr. Strangelove]

Turn the RF gain control counter-clockwise until it clicks, like turning off a switch.  This turns on the avc.  The green wire goes on the second terminal from the left, as viewed from the back.  The green wire connects the whip antenna to the radio.  Great radios!  Enjoy!

[dace]

more helpful information, thank you.