Wireless Telegraph

[MasterSnipes]

So I'm making a wireless telegraph with the help of this guide: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Wireless-Telegraph and I noticed I didn't have some of the parts he asked for. So I started thinking of alternatives such as aluminium foil for the 2 flexible pieces of metal and insulated wire for the electromagnet. I was wondering (since all of you are geniuses and have been a big help) if I could use this in my project.

Anyways, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[AG6QR]

The flexible pieces of metal must be something that is attracted by a magnet.  At least the one that's pulled down must be.  You might try using a food can, the kind used for soups, vegetables, etc.  Check it with a magnet first to make sure it's magnetic.  If there is any paint or other coating, you might have to scrape it off in order for the electrical connection to be made.

Insulated wire should work fine, as long as you can fit enough turns on.  The wire sold as "magnet wire" is actually insulated wire, but the insulation is very thin, normally a layer of transparent lacquer.  More typical insulation can make it hard to pack the turns tight enough, but can work.

That device looks like it would be a pretty nasty generator of broadband interference.  I'm not sure what country you're in, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's illegal to operate such a transmitter.  At the very least, please don't put much power into it, and please don't connect it to an efficient antenna.

[Ian.M]

The article in question is bogus. 

• The metal strip will only be attracted to the electromagnet if its made of a ferrromagnetic material e.g. mild steel.
• Unless it is arranged to either short-circuit the electromagnet coil or open the circuit to the coil when it is attracted, it will have no noticeable effect.  As illustrated, I do not believe the electromagnet could attract the strip arching over it enough to make it touch the other strip.
• The battery chosen is probably the most expensive and least effective commonly available one for the purpose.

I suspect that as it claims 15 Co-authors, its been deliberately nobbled by radio amateurs who are not keen on people building illegal spark transmitters that cause broad-band interference.   As I don't want every radio amateur here on my case, I'm not going to give any suggestions on actually making it workable!

[MasterSnipes]

The article in question is bogus. 

• The metal strip will only be attracted to the electromagnet if its made of a ferrromagnetic material e.g. mild steel.
• Unless it is arranged to either short-circuit the electromagnet coil or open the circuit to the coil when it is attracted, it will have no noticeable effect.  As illustrated, I do not believe the electromagnet could attract the strip arching over it enough to make it touch the other strip.
• The battery chosen is probably the most expensive and least effective commonly available one for the purpose.

I suspect that as it claims 15 Co-authors, its been deliberately nobbled by radio amateurs who are not keen on people building illegal spark transmitters that cause broad-band interference.   As I don't want every radio amateur here on my case, I'm not going to give any suggestions on actually making it workable!

So I shouldn't actually make it? I'm just going to have it on for a few minutes to record a short video! What kinds of things could be affected? And one more thing, would this article be more useful: http://w1tp.com/perwirls.htm. And finally, do I need to have 2 metal strips or is 1 OK?