In regards to various shortwave radio antennas it’s not always the radio. Let me explain the reason why. It always depends on terrain and location of where you are located. I use a preamp booster to pull in the signal better and as I mentioned before its not the radio by itself.There is ways to improve the signal but you have to keep doing what is called experimentation as trial and error. I’m not saying that anyone is wrong on the issue but as I learned it depends on location in where power lines and foliage stands in the way. Also that depends on where they’re broadcasting to a certain area where they would be targeting. Example Radio Romania Int would be targeting to the eastern parts of the USA in English. Also depending how how much of radiate power they’re using. Check the shortwave schedule for when they’re broadcasting
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I don’t have an antenna specifically for my SWL apart from a relatively short long wire that goes through my wall and up through some bushes in the garden! It’s variable in it’s results. I may get around to doing something else better, but my current stash of spare wire is reserved for a few ham antenna projects.
I have a few ham antennas which I tend to use on my ham rigs for SWL. They are not ideal but I can switch them and that can make a real difference. That’s good enough for now 
One I might get around to is a low ground loop if my wife will put up with more wires and cables in the garden. Think I can hide most of it along fences and round the bushes!
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Everything is always trial and error as a experiment
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