In this instructable, I will show you how to make a cheap AM telegraph out of things around the house. Depending on how many 9 volt batteries you hook up to it, you will get a diferent range. WARNING, ELECTRICITY IS VERY DANGEROUS!!! DO NOT plug into a wall socket or use a car battery, in doing so may result in serious INJURY or even DEATH! So only use 9 volt batteries and no more than 2. Lets get started!

Step 1: Gather the Matierials!

1small, flat block of wood. 9 volt batteries. assorted pieces of wood 1",2" & 3" in diamiter. paneling nails. wire coat hangers with no plactic coating. some leather gloves from doller general to protect those fingers. 1 hammer. And lots of will power!

Step 2: Time to Assemble.

Take the flat block of wood and lay it on a hard, flat surface. Now take the nails and the 9 volt battery. Lay the battery on a part of the board and put nails around the battery to hold it in place. Be sure not to nail through the battery. If done correctly, you should be able to turn the whole board upside down and the battery still be attached.

Now take a nail and hammer it about one inch away from the end of the + terminal on the battery. Wrap a small piece of wire on the last nail that you put in and when you are done coiling, leave enough wire to reach the + battery terminal. For the key, (thats the thing that you press down) you can use a paper clip or a small socket wrench. Nail that down so you can press one end and let go, it will return to its previous position. You can also use a spring from a pen. take a piece of wire and attach one end to the spool and the other to the key. Almost done!

Put a nail under the end of the key so that when you push down on the key, it will touch the nail. Put one nail touching the - terminal on the battery. take one more piece of wire and run it from the - terminal nail to the nail under the key and your ready!!!

Step 3: How It Works

The spool acts as an antenna, and when you press down the key, an electric spark is created which can be heard over an AM radio. The more batteries you add, the bigger the spark, the longer the range. Thank you for reading. see you soon!

Step 4: Warnings.

A quote from A comment below says that the system that I built will cause interference across A wide spectrum. This is true. Be warned not to make this thing to powerful, you most likely don't want to bother the neighbors next door. Making this may be illegal in your country.