Description
Build Your Own Vintage Radio Broadcaster
The Elektor AM Transmitter Kit allows streaming audio to vintage AM radio receivers. Based on a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller module, the AM Transmitter can transmit on 32 frequencies in the AM band, from 500 kHz up to 1.6 MHz in 32 steps of approx. 35 kHz. The frequency is selected with a potentiometer and shown on a 0.96” OLED display. A pushbutton allows toggles the transmitting mode between On and Off. The range of the transmitter depends on the antenna. The onboard antenna provides a range of a few centimeters, requiring the AM Transmitter to be placed close to or inside the radio. An external loop antenna (not included) can be connected to increase the range.
The Elektor AM Transmitter Kit comes as a kit of parts that you must solder to the board yourself.
Features
The board is compatible with a Hammond 1593N enclosure (not included).
A 5 VDC power supply with micro-USB connector (e.g., an old phone charger) is needed to power the kit (not included). Current consumption is 100 mA.
The Arduino software (requiring Earle Philhower’s RP2040 Boards Package) for the Elektor AM Transmitter Kit plus more information is available at the Elektor Labs page of this project.
Component List
- Resistors:
- R1, R4 = 100 Ω
- R2, R3, R8 = 10 kΩ
- R5, R6, R9, R10, R11 = 1 kΩ
- R7 = optional (not included)
- P1 = potentiometer 100 kΩ, linear
- Capacitors:
- C1 = 22 µF 16V
- C2, C4 = 10 nF
- C3 = 150 pF
- Miscellaneous:
- K1 = 4×1 pin socket
- K2, K3 = 3.5 mm socket
- Raspberry Pi Pico
- pushbutton, angle mount
- 0.96" monochrome I²C OLED display
- PCB 150292-1
