{"id":11,"date":"2024-05-26T04:03:11","date_gmt":"2024-05-26T04:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lvanosky.dev\/blog\/?p=11"},"modified":"2024-10-23T08:24:55","modified_gmt":"2024-10-23T02:24:55","slug":"fm-radio-transmitter-with-a-raspberry-pi-0","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lvanosky.dev\/blog\/2024\/05\/26\/fm-radio-transmitter-with-a-raspberry-pi-0\/","title":{"rendered":"FM Radio Transmitter with a Raspberry Pi 0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With a jumper wire, USB cable, wall adapter, and a $16 Raspberry Pi 0WH, you can build an FM radio transmitter. The signal can be easily picked up for about 50 feet in all directions (assuming no other interference or walls.) This project uses a GitHub repo<\/a> by user markondej. With this, setting up a FM radio station is extremely easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While any Raspberry Pi model (except for Pico) with headers will work, the older Pi 3 series or Pi Zero (not Zero 2) series are preferred. Later series will require additional configuration and will not work as well due to increased interference from having more components. If you are using a Pi 4, 5, or Zero 2, see the below section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you start, you will need a USB cable (Type B-Micro.) These are very common on power banks, small devices, and some old phones. If you don’t have one or would like one specifically designed for the Pi 0, you can buy one for $8. You will also need a few jumper wires, (female-to-female or female-to-male) and a Raspberry Pi. I used the Pi 0, but any version will work as long as there are headers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start by flashing Raspberry Pi OS using the Raspberry Pi OS Flasher. Select your board model and select the “Lite” version. For example, the Pi 0 uses Raspberry Pi OS 32-bit Lite, however, you may use the 64-bit version depending on what board you use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These instructions used the above-mentioned GitHub repositor<\/a>y. Please see the repository<\/a> form more information.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before I start the guide, I just wanted to say thank you all for the kind comments. Please let me know if you have any questions or anything you want a guide to by leaving a comment or emailing me at me@lvanosky.dev<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Installation & Usage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, run these commands to install the necessary tools to compile the FM Transmitter. If you used Pi OS, these should be preinstalled, but it is best to run these commands to make sure the software is up-to-date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

sudo apt-get update\nsudo apt-get install make build-essential\nsudo apt-get install libraspberrypi-dev\n<\/path><\/path><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
When those commands have finished, run these commands to download the GitHub repository to your computer and to create the FM transmitter executable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
git clone https:\/\/github.com\/markondej\/fm_transmitter\ncd fm_transmitter\nmake\n<\/path><\/path><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
If there are no issues (if there are try searching the exact error code and diagnosing from there), then you can move on to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Test Broadcast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you are using a Raspberry Pi 1, 2, 3, or 0 (Not Zero 2), use the below command:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
sudo .\/fm_transmitter -f 100.6 acoustic_guitar_duet.wav\n<\/path><\/path><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
If you are using a Raspberry Pi Zero 2, 4, or 5, read the additional instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Notice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n