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How to Build a Field Phone Switchboard

The basic connection between two telephone receivers relies on a wire transmitting audio from one to the other. Being able to switch between telephone receivers while in the field requires a switching mechanism that enables the wires to be manipulated. You can make a field phone switchboard that will allow the wires between receivers to be switched from one to the other. You do not need a battery or electrical source to power your homemade switchboard. You do not need any electrical expertise or a battery or electrical source.

Things You'll Need

Wood block, 8 by 10 by 2 inches
Ruler
Pencil
Metal screws
Phillips screwdriver
Electric wire roll, 12-gauge
Wire cutters
Wire stripper, 8 inches
3 field telephones

Instructions

- 1
  Place a block of wood, measuring 8 by 10 by 2 inches, horizontally on a table. Measure two inches across from the upper-left corner of the wood with a ruler. Measure an inch down from the two-inch measurement and make a dot on the wood. Repeat this procedure at the lower-left corner, measuring up instead of down.
- 2
  Repeat Step 1, making mirror-image measurements from the upper- and lower-right corners.
- 3
  Measure the length of the side of the wood closest to you. Measure one inch up from the halfway mark and make a dot on the wood. Measure an additional inch up and making another dot. Screw metal screws halfway through each of the dots with a Phillips screwdriver.
- 4
  Cut two six-inch lengths of wire with wire cutters. Strip 1/2 inch off each end with a wire stripper.
- 5
  Wind the exposed end of one of the wires around the screw closest to the upper-left corner. Wind the other end of the wire around the screw closest to you. Wind the exposed end of the other wire around the screws closest to the upper-right corner. Wind the other end of the wire around the screw closest to you.
- 6
  Wind the exposed ends of the two wires coming from one of the field telephones around the two screws closest to the upper left corner. Wind the exposed ends of the two wires coming from the other field telephone around the two screws closest to the upper right corner.
- 7
  Wind the exposed ends of the two wires coming from the field telephone being used to communicate with the other two phones around the two screws closest to you. Wind one end of the metal strip around the screw that is above the one closest to you. Tighten all of the screws.
- 8
  Move the end of the metal strip to the screw at its upper left side to complete the contact with one of the field telephones. Move the end of the metal strip to the screw at its upper right side to complete the contact with the other field telephone.

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