2023-04-30 13:31:42 +02:00
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# picoAM
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A simple but capable AM transmitter for the Raspbery Pi pico!
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2023-04-30 14:13:02 +02:00
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2023-04-30 14:57:24 +02:00
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(image deviates slightly from current version of the circuit, apologies!)
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2023-04-30 14:13:02 +02:00
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## Disclaimer!!
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The Pi is not able to output enough power to disrupt anything significantly, but with a long enough antenna, will get you in
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2023-04-30 14:46:20 +02:00
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trouble and annoy othere. Please use this only for experimental and educational purposes and do NOT use this in a way which might
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cause any disruption!
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2023-04-30 14:13:02 +02:00
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My antenna for this is barely large enough for half of my room to have reception. Please don't go much further than that!
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2023-04-30 14:42:45 +02:00
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**Also**, this project will overclock your pi. However, 200MHz is fine for 99.9% of picos and is SUPER unlikely to damage it unless you
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leave it running for a very long time (days or something in a closed environment).
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2023-04-30 14:13:02 +02:00
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## How it works
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The Pi generates a 1557kHz PWM signal, which will be the carrier wave. The frequency is not changed, only the pulse width.
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(Sadly, I was not able to make an FM version because FM would require more precise frequency shifts, which the pico just can't do.)
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Then, an audio input is taken in on the right side of the breadboard (blue and green wire), which is clamped and slightly loaded
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so that we don't get nasty interference.
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Then, this clean signal is given to the pico on pin 26. The pico does pulse width changes according to the signal, and outputs the
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AM signal on pin 15.
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## Circuit Diagram and explanation
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The part which prepares the audio for the pico is not strictly needed, but if you use line inputs, you reeeally should have it.
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It has the following jobs:
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- R2 and R3 try to pull AI- a between the two voltages to be able to record the whole signal in case it is not a grounded one (not needed,
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it can also just be connected to ground. this is basically just extra fanciness with nonzero but very small benefit.)
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- R1 makes sure there isn't too much strain put on the input
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- D1 and D2 clamp the signal to acceptable voltages
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- **An extra resistor of about 50-100 ohms may be added from the AI+ point to the AI- point to load the signal.** This is optional, but
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*can* clean up a little bit of noise if you have long cables.
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## How to use it
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- Flash the ino file using the Arduino IDE
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- Cut open an audio cable and take one of the channels and the ground out of the cable's mantle
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- Connect those to jumper wires
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- Take a breadboard and put the pico on there, wire the circuit
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- Add the audio inputs
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- Add a **sufficiently long but not too long** antenna. Mine is about 2m-ish long.
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- Connect the Pi to your PC using the USB port for power
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- Connect the audio input to your PC
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- Tune in to 1557kHz AM
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