Raspberry Pi-powered transmitters broadcast Syrian radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

brunel · 1st Mar 2016, 12:49 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-35690688

1st Mar 2016, 4:51 pm

Brilliant, communication does solve a lot of differences and problems, we can but hope.

MrElectronicman · 2nd Mar 2016, 1:10 am

Tried this some time ago, and using a short piece of wire on one of the GPIO pins I had a range of about 10-15 meters from the outside of my house using a frequency of 108.1 MHz. Actually it was quite good, and in stereo to boot.

There was a problem however, the transmitter radiated all over the FM band, and so would need to have some filtering on the output to eliminate the unwanted harmonics, so I have re-purposed the Pi for other uses.

Raspberry pi's are good fun.

Radio Wrangler · 2nd Mar 2016, 6:04 am

I think those units house both a raspberry pi AND a small but proper transmitter. Of course, only the little computer and the software deserve mention.

David

Jonster · 2nd Mar 2016, 9:56 am

Yes the separate transmitter (looks to be a 10-15 watt unit) can clearly be seen in photos and the video on site. A Pi is a much cheaper alternative to a dedicated hardware stream receiver such as a Barix Extreamer.

G6Tanuki · 2nd Mar 2016, 2:56 pm

A small TX with some kind of Internet or 3G/4G connectivity achieved via something like a Pi is an obvious solution: stick it and an antenna somewhere high where there's power (truck batteries and a solar panel or two to recharge...), then do all the controlling and program-content delivery remotely via the Internet from your bunker.

It's the modern version of that old 1980s pirate-broadcaster trick of using a low-power UHF link from your studio to the actual transmitter on top of a tower-block.

1st Mar 2016, 12:49 pm	#1
brunel Heptode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: LEEDS.......North of the River Aire. Posts: 893	Raspberry Pi-powered transmitters broadcast Syrian radio http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-35690688

1st Mar 2016, 4:51 pm	#2
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Raspberry Pi-powered transmitters broadcast Syrian radio Brilliant, communication does solve a lot of differences and problems, we can but hope.

2nd Mar 2016, 1:10 am	#3
MrElectronicman Heptode Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Washington DC, USA Posts: 619	Re: Raspberry Pi-powered transmitters broadcast Syrian radio Tried this some time ago, and using a short piece of wire on one of the GPIO pins I had a range of about 10-15 meters from the outside of my house using a frequency of 108.1 MHz. Actually it was quite good, and in stereo to boot. There was a problem however, the transmitter radiated all over the FM band, and so would need to have some filtering on the output to eliminate the unwanted harmonics, so I have re-purposed the Pi for other uses. Raspberry pi's are good fun. __________________ David

2nd Mar 2016, 6:04 am	#4
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 24,743	Re: Raspberry Pi-powered transmitters broadcast Syrian radio I think those units house both a raspberry pi AND a small but proper transmitter. Of course, only the little computer and the software deserve mention. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

2nd Mar 2016, 9:56 am	#5
Jonster Heptode Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 680	Re: Raspberry Pi-powered transmitters broadcast Syrian radio Yes the separate transmitter (looks to be a 10-15 watt unit) can clearly be seen in photos and the video on site. A Pi is a much cheaper alternative to a dedicated hardware stream receiver such as a Barix Extreamer.

2nd Mar 2016, 2:56 pm	#6
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 15,756	Re: Raspberry Pi-powered transmitters broadcast Syrian radio A small TX with some kind of Internet or 3G/4G connectivity achieved via something like a Pi is an obvious solution: stick it and an antenna somewhere high where there's power (truck batteries and a solar panel or two to recharge...), then do all the controlling and program-content delivery remotely via the Internet from your bunker. It's the modern version of that old 1980s pirate-broadcaster trick of using a low-power UHF link from your studio to the actual transmitter on top of a tower-block.