For Christmas, FreeiPodGuy got a Griffin radioSHARK. It's been fun experimenting with and worth the steeply discounted price from Amazon.com, though I wouldn't pay retail, mainly due to it's poor AM reception. It's worth the $44 anyway.

Over the past week, I've been experimenting with various antenna configurations. The radioSHARK has an internal AM antenna with no external AM jack, so other than positioning the radioSHARK for optimal reception, there's not much you can do. (Except maybe position a wireless antenna next to the 'shark.)

However, for FM, in addition to the USB cable, which the radioSHARK uses for an antenna, there's a built-in headphone jack that also serves as an antenna jack. Into this, one can plug in just about any wire connected to a 1/8" mini plug. I tried many things: 3 or 4 different sets of headphones/earbuds (not for listening--just for the antenna value), and even purchased a dipole FM antenna from RadioShack and attached it to a compatible plug, with dismal results.

Interestingly, the best solution is Apple's earbuds packaged with iPods. (I have a pair with one crushed bud. It's useless for listening, but still works as an antenna. I knew there was a reason I save EVERYTHING.) Not only does it work; it works fantastically. I get many FM stations clearly, that I cannot receive with any other radio. The earbuds not only work better than other headphones, but better than an FM antenna designed specifically for the purpose of improving FM reception.

I can't help but wonder whether Apple engineered the earbuds specifically for the purpose of use as an antenna. Could it be that a future iPod will include an FM tuner?

Perhaps a sign of things to come.