# Need an effective way to ruin a radio **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 30, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-an-effective-way-to-ruin-a-radio/545065 "2010-06-30T14:40:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nippless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/df788c/32.png) [@Nippless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nippless)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-an-effective-way-to-ruin-a-radio/545065/1 "2010-06-30T14:40:04Z")
Right, so there is a radio I wish to… decommission. It’s at work, I’ve complained about it enough, and nothing gets done, and I can’t handle it any more. I’ve already tried poking holes in the speaker through the grill bit, but about 20 pokes on and it’s still working. It’s a simple AM/FM radio. How else can I finish this thing without any external damage apparent? Please help me, if you can’t I might find the best solution is just to take it and bash it against the head of the employee who keeps turning it up until one of them stops functioning. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-an-effective-way-to-ruin-a-radio/545065/2 "2010-06-30T14:47:59Z")
Open the case (should be some screws holding front/back together), and snip one of the wires that feeds the speaker. Close case, wipe down for prints, and position exactly as before. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-an-effective-way-to-ruin-a-radio/545065/3 "2010-06-30T14:52:24Z")
Microwaving it for just a few seconds may work. That could blow the electronics. I have destroyed cell phones that way. Don’t do it for very long though because it will flash and scorch the plastic and maybe even catch on fire. Two or three seconds should do it if it is going to work at all. This assumes the radio will fit in the microwave. ---
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-an-effective-way-to-ruin-a-radio/545065/4 "2010-06-30T14:55:11Z")
You just want the radio noise to go away, right? So rather than damaging the hardware - which will get you in trouble - consider creating an environment inimical to the proper functioning of the radio. What you want to do is disrupt the signal. There’s no property damage and it will work on any other radios your co-worker might bring in. Look for devices that are intended for playing MP3s, etc. through an older stereo receiver or radio. These devices work by broadcasting on a selected frequency - their proximity to your radio overrides any commercial signal on that frequency. Tune it to your co-worker’s preferred station, turn it on, and hide it near the offending radio. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-an-effective-way-to-ruin-a-radio/545065/5 "2010-06-30T16:29:02Z")
[Moderator Note] According to the [Registration Agreement](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=423183) > [@](#): > > You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use the SDMB to post any material that you know or should know is false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, threatening, invasive of a person’s privacy, or \*\*in violation of U.S. law. \*\ ***You agree not to post material that in our opinion encourages activity that is illegal in the U.S.** Bolding mine. The OP is requesting advice on how to commit vandalism by destroying another person’s property. It is a violation of the registration agreement to provide such advice (as **Joe Frickin Friday** and **Shagnasty** have). I’m not issuing warnings, but don’t do this again. I’m afraid that if complaining about the situation hasn’t resolved it, then you are just out of luck. Destroying the radio isn’t the solution. Colibri General Questions Moderator