Re: how can I duplicate the signal boost created by touching radio with hand.

Hi Marnie

The reason you boost your radio is you are just the right height - 
measured in wavelengths of the station you are tuned to - to boost the 
signal by resonance. You are acting as an antenna or a reflector to guide 
more signal into the radio. You must have seen the H antennae used for 
TV. One leg of the H is the antenna (wires to tv) and the other is 
totally passive. It is acting simply to reflect (steer) more signal into 
the antenna.

Now to solve your problem may be difficult - especially inside modern 
buildings. This is because you are within a cage of hidden steel girders. 
So in fact you may get best receoption merely if you can shift your 
position a few yards (try nearer a window first).
If you sit on a metal or metal-frame chair, try running a wire to the 
chair. Try different chairs and an insulated wire wrapped around the 
metal may well work better than a contact (tends to be noisy).

If none of these work, write again with another question and we will try 
to answer quicker this time!

John