AK Model 42 Transformer Ground?

[Winky Dink]

Just got back from dinner and connected antenna wire from rheostat directly to 2nd RF grid. Amazing. The three strong stations come in, each over a broad range, volume control works (but some signal is still present at lowest volume setting), and the rest of the stations I usually receive are present as well.

I can't relate the 0-100 scale to frequencies, but at the low end of the band a single station is present from 0 to 20. At the upper end the reception ranges become normal.

What do you think? I'm going to recheck continuities on the 1st RF transformer, then look at the 1st variable condenser more closely.