So called "pirate" radio stations have existed as long as radio broadcast has existed. These unlicensed operators setup shop in various locations and start broadcasting whatever content they wished. Shown above is the lightship used as a base for Radio Veronica  broadcasting offshore of the Netherlands in the 1960's. Being based offshore on a boat makes it extra pirate-y!

In this guide we'll show how to use the Adafruit Si4713 FM Transmitter to create your own little pirate radio station. A Raspberry Pi provides the source for music storage and playback. Attaching a small 1.3" PiTFT provides a display for playback song information and status.

FM Radio? Really?

Pretty much no one carries a personal FM radio receiver with them these days. So if you're all like pepperidge-farm-remembers / i-was-there-gandalf at the mention of FM radio and wondering what's the point, here are some ideas:

• Create a personal radio station for someone that does not have a smartphone. Perhaps for an older generation member more comfortable with FM radio technology, as was heartwarmingly done in this post.
• Broadcast audio to cars at an ad hoc "drive in" style gathering. Cars still have FM radio receivers.
• Other imaginative use :)

Parts