# AM Radio Morse Code Paddle ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/051/635/medium800/projects_morse_IMG_1228_2k.jpg?1520450661) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgArx2GhcSY&feature=youtu.be Having the ability to send secret messages is a critical spy skill. By harnessing the power of radio waves and using Morse code, you can transmit your plans to your base station for your fellow operatives! The Gemma M0 can act as a basic _AM radio transmitter_ by taking advantage of M0 chip's digital-to-analog converter ( **DAC** ) and direct memory access ( **DMA** ). [Here's more info](../../../circuit-playground-express-dac-hacks/transmitting-am-radio) on how this clever hack by our own Phillip Burgess works. You’ll tell other operatives nearby to tune in to your chosen frequency, and then you’ll send your Morse messages with a specially built Morse code keyer attached to the Gemma M0. ## Parts ### Part: Gemma M0 quantity: 1 Wearable microcontroller board [Gemma M0](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3501) ### Part: Woven Conductive Fabric quantity: 1 For building contact switches [Woven Conductive Fabric](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1168) ### Part: 3x AAA Battery Holder quantity: 1 with On/Off Switch and 2-pin JST [3x AAA Battery Holder](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3286) ### Part: AAA batteries quantity: 1 3 pack [AAA batteries ](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3520) ### Part: Enameled Copper Magnet Wire quantity: 1 makeshift antenna [Enameled Copper Magnet Wire](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3522) ### Part: USB Cable quantity: 1 A/MicroB - 6" [USB Cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/898) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/051/642/medium800/projects_morse_IMG_1305_2k.jpg?1520457515) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/052/287/medium800/projects_fabric.jpg?1521569733) ## Materials In addition to the above parts, you'll also need: - An AM radio to tune in the Morse transmissions - Wooden clothespin - Small block of wood, approximately 2-1/2" x 5" x 3/4" (a.k.a. a 5" length of nominal 1" x 3" lumber) - Two nails that fit in the clothespin spring coil and are electrically conductive - Double stick tape - Two small rubber bands - Stranded wire or alligator clip leads - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/am-radio-morse-code-paddle/code-the-transmitter.md) ## Featured Products ### Adafruit GEMMA M0 - Miniature wearable electronic platform [Adafruit GEMMA M0 - Miniature wearable electronic platform](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3501) The **Adafruit Gemma M0** is a super small microcontroller board, with just enough built-in to create many simple projects. It may look small and cute: round, about the size of a quarter, with friendly alligator-clip sew pads. But do not be fooled! The Gemma M0 is incredibly... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3501) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3501/guides) ### AdaBox Subscription [AdaBox Subscription](https://www.adafruit.com/adabox_get_started) Subscription [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/adabox_get_started) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3067/guides) ### Small Alligator Clip Test Lead (set of 12) [Small Alligator Clip Test Lead (set of 12)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1008) Connect this to that without soldering using these handy mini alligator clip test leads. 15" cables with alligator clip on each end, color coded. You get 12 pieces in 6 colors. Strong and grippy, these always come in handy! We often use these in conjunction with a multimeter so we... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1008) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1008/guides) ### Enameled Copper Magnet Wire – 11 meters / 0.1mm diameter [Enameled Copper Magnet Wire – 11 meters / 0.1mm diameter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3522) For winding custom coils, or very fine-pitch rework, we always reach for **magnet wire**. Magnet wire is very very thin (0.1mm diameter!) copper wire with a very thin layer of insulation. It's used for a range of electronics, hacking and making applications. Commonly these are... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3522) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3522/guides) ### Short Wire Alligator Clip Test Lead (set of 12) [Short Wire Alligator Clip Test Lead (set of 12)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1592) Connect this to that without soldering using these handy mini alligator clip test leads. Approximately 4.5" overall cables with alligator clip on each end, color coded. You get 12 pieces in 6 colors. Strong and grippy, these always come in handy! We often use these in conjunction with a... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1592/guides) ### USB cable - 6" A/MicroB [USB cable - 6" A/MicroB](https://www.adafruit.com/product/898) This here is your standard A-microB USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your NETduino, Arduino Leonardo, Raspberry Pi (among other things). Approximately 6.5" long from end to end, its a little more compact than our classic 3' long cable In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/898) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/898/guides) ## Related Guides - [Gemma LightTouch](https://learn.adafruit.com/gemma-lighttouch.md) - [Clockwork Goggles](https://learn.adafruit.com/gemma-m0-clockwork-goggles.md) - [Neopixel Jewel 10 Minute Necklace](https://learn.adafruit.com/10-minute-neopixel-necklace.md) - [CircuitPython with Jupyter Notebooks](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-with-jupyter-notebooks.md) - [NeoPixel Punk Collar](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-punk-collar.md) - [LED Masquerade Masks](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-masquerade-masks.md) - [Esenciales para CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/esenciales-para-circuitpython.md) - [3D Printed LED Fire Horns](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-led-fire-horns.md) - [Porting an Arduino library to CircuitPython: VL6180X Distance Sensor](https://learn.adafruit.com/porting-an-arduino-library-to-circuitpython-vl6180x-distance-sensor.md) - [Cyber Flower: Digital Valentine](https://learn.adafruit.com/cyber-flower-digital-valentine.md) - [Gemma Firewalker Lite Sneakers](https://learn.adafruit.com/gemma-led-sneakers.md) - [CircuitPython Hardware: Charlieplex LED Matrix](https://learn.adafruit.com/micropython-hardware-charlieplex-led-matrix.md) - [Color-sensor Driven NeoPixel Dress](https://learn.adafruit.com/color-sensor-driven-neopixel-dress.md) - [NeoPixel LED Mickey Ears](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-led-mickey-ears.md) - [CircuitPython Basics: Digital Inputs & Outputs](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-digital-inputs-and-outputs.md)