An apparatus made according to one embodiment includes a drill bit that has a cavity at an end thereof and a communication device placed in the cavity, wherein the communication device includes a first section and a second section, wherein an outer dimension of the second section is greater than an outer dimension of the first section, and wherein the second section includes a conduit configured to allow passage of a conductor from the drill bit to a location outside the drill bit so as to provide a direct connection of the conductor from the drill bit to an element outside the drill bit.