Etherwave Volume Problems

I'm probably making some sort of stupid error here like not putting it up on a mic stand or having too many thing close to it or something but I'm having a heck of a time with my etherwave's volume. Sometimes the Volume nob doesn't work but it can still be played through an amp just fine. Sometimes it does not play at all, sometimes it is very quite, other times it is extremely loud. Also, it's playing area tends to cut off once something is moved above the area where the audio antenna's wire is. Could it be because the wire is bent? I'm really at a loss here about where to go for information on what I can do so I figured I would ask you people. Also, here are some poorly light videos that I took that will hopefully help but probably won't. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/1_z0m613/?action=view¤t=MOV01822.flv

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/1_z0m613/?action=view¤t=MOV01823.flv

At first, the volume knob is not intended to adjust the theremins output volume! It is intended to adjust the response of the volume loop in order to set the distance between your hand and the loop at which maximum volume will be obtained.

Second, you may adjust the knobs working range by tuning L11. Details may be found here:
http://www.moogmusic.com/manuals/HotRodEtherwav.pdf

I tried to have a look at your videos, but I had difficulties in seeing and understanding. So my answer might not really be helpful.

In every case you should take care that the item nearest to the volume loop is your hand. Other items should be as far away as possible.

Welcome to ThereminWorld, whatLurks.

I think Thierry is right. From what I can see of your video the volume circuit appears to be working correctly.

I suggest you watch this video

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cd4jvtAr8JM (Thomas Grillo's Theremin Lesson One)

and see if you can find a setting of the volume knob where moving your left hand up and down over the volume antenna does the same as it does in the Thomas's video. (Between 40 seconds and 47 seconds into the video.)

If you cannot find a setting where this works, then you probably need to adjust the coil L11 as Thierry suggests. Note that you should use the little plastic screwdriver thing that came with the theremin to do this, and that the coil is very sensitive and delicate. Use tiny, tiny movements and do not force it to turn further than it allows.

Good luck, and well done for getting this far.

Yes sirs, yes sirs. I am indeed a n00b, haha. Thank you for telling me how to play the thing. So happy it works fine and I didn't even have to adjust that coil. I appreciate your advice.

I feel that I'll have soon a naughty cynic at breakfast ;-)

Each advice may only be as precise as the problems description. Videos of a nude black man in a new moon night aren't very expressive...

The natural scientific approach would be
a) to create the environment conditions as recommended by the manufacturer
b) to perform adjustments and measurements as required in the technical manual
c) verify the circuit (voltages/waveforms) with multimeter and oscilloscope
d) post all results here, so that a real substantiated diagnostic would be possible