The tin foil is what I first saw!
It always was frustrating to have the signal just right while you were touching the antenna, but when you let go it went bad again. “No - I’m not going to stand here all night!”
Once I was older it did help me to me believe that folks can use metal divining rods for locating utilities. (Wood sticks for “underground rivers” - not so much.)
AH! You've met my mom!