Can I get better radio reception with a better antenna?

It would help to know what radio station or the frequency of the station you are interested in. Also where you are and where the new station is located. As it is I can only give a generic answer, when I would love to give you a special custom answer.

Some radios have external antennae inputs. Some radios have its FM antenna built into the electrical supply cord. If you are wanting an AM station, turning the whole radio, to face the location of the station will help. If you have metal window frame on that same side of your home, try attaching your telescoping antenna to the metal window frame. If you have a stove pipe, or gas plumbing, connect to one of those.

Now here is a real trick idea. Pay close attention. Find an old 2 wire flat extension cord. One blade of the male plug is wider. Cut only the one wire that is directly behind the widest plug blade. Cut that same single wire another 3 mm or 1/8 inch back and remove the little section between the cuts. On the receptacle end of the extension cord, cut the opposite wire, the one that goes to the narrow side and remove a couple inches of that other single conductor. Cut off the entire receptacle. Connect the longer wire to your telescoping antenna. Tune in your distant station and then plug in your modified extension cord. If this helps, insulate exposed ends of both wire cut butts, especially the one cut back closest to the radio at the removed receptacle.

At a craft store, they sell narrow copper tape, sticky on one side. Apply it all the way around a window leaving a 1 foot pig tail a quarter inch from the start. Fasten pig tail electrically and mechanically to your radio antenna. Try these things till you find the one that works sufficiently to your taste.

Oops, almost forgot, try moving or stretching out your electrical cord. Add in a flat untwisted extension cord, if that makes a difference, and locate it in an optimal manner for best reception. Take all the twist out of your power cord.

It depends on the station's distance from you. You may need to install an external HD/FM antenna above your roofline and a cable running from that to your radio. You might find that a simple indoor antenna booster may work , if the antenna is placed on the side of the building toward the radio station, in a window. This can work, if you don't have obrstructions, like another taller building between you and the station (line of sight).

If the station is more than 50 miles (line of sight) away, a larger antenna may only marginally help. You can always try, but don't expect a lot of improvement. Part of the problem is that there may be a local station using the same frequency, or very close to it, and you'll only succeed in locating the other station that is closer to you using that frequency.