I keep buying cheap Soundwave style model SW radios and they keep fucking up.... because they're cheap (not so much anymore though).
I said enough is enough, going to crack open this current lemon and work out how to make it work.
My knowledge of consumer good PCB electronics is almost zero... I was getting a voltage error flashing on the screen and the terminals were fine. So I did open heart surgery on the unit mostly with my bare fingers, 1950's style, and that fucking worked.
I reckon a component was already too close to another when the sweatshop kid closed both plastic casing sides, got a quick test, and passed it. I simply pressed some of them in better positions...
This current radio is now pulling in longer distance shit . I've kept all my old radios (malfunctioning) for parts. I'm going to work this out.