What uses a 9-volt battery and is small enough to fit inside a sandwich bag? One of Mike Boatright's ham radio contructions -- made from a small tin can! "I love to operate ham radio and talk to everyone around the world, across the country or even across the street. But my real passion is construction," Boatright says. The strongest small-scale radio Boatright has constructed uses about as much power as a Christmas light. The small scale allows the projects to be inexpensive -- as many types of tin containers and cans can be used to house the transmitters. "Often, I just walk though the grocery store looking for new containers -- and I'll buy something just to use it for a radio -- something that doesn't make my wife too happy," Boatright says with a laugh. Boatright has a small storage shed in his backyard where he constructs his radios and communicates with other enthusiasts. The antenna Boatright uses is usually a loop of wire about 270' long that is strung through the trees surrounding his home. An antenna tuner is used to find the correct frequency. With the radio constructed and the antenna working high above, Boatright needs only to use an antenna tuner to find the right frequency, before hooking up the power, transmitter and telegraph key (all of which Boatright says is easier than it might seem) -- and he's up and running! According to Boatright, the key to having fun with this hobby -- "canned" ham radios -- is "doing more with less." Tip: Hobbyists interested in ham radio operation should obtain a operator's license from the FCC before getting started.
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