Build your own internet - connected radio with Pimoroni's awesome Pirate Radio Kit! This all - in - one kit has nearly everything you need. It comes with Pimoroni's cool new pHAT BEAT DAC and stereo amp, a 5W speaker, and a stylish retro blue acrylic enclosure. It even includes a Pi Zero W. All you have to do is add your own micro - SD card and USB power supply. Assembly takes around 30 minutes. Check Pimoroni's assembly guide for details.
The kit includes a Pi Zero W, a pHAT BEAT DAC and stereo amp with a VU meter and six buttons, male and female 2x20 pin headers, a single 5W 4Ω speaker, a blue acrylic enclosure, a 50cm USB A to micro - B cable, a USB A (female) to micro B (male) adaptor, a mini to full - size HDMI adaptor, a sticker sheet for personalization, and it comes in a reusable kit box.
The Pirate Radio uses the new pHAT BEAT DAC and stereo amp to drive the single speaker. You can switch to mono mode by flipping the DIP switch on the underside. The pHAT BEAT features dual I2S DAC/amplifiers for great sound. The two rows of 8 APA102 RGB LEDs make a perfect VU meter, and there are 6 buttons for audio control.
With the built - in wireless LAN and Bluetooth on the Pi Zero W, there's no need for a USB Wi - Fi dongle. Pimoroni has prepared three software projects for your Pirate Radio: an internet radio, a Spotify streaming box, or an AirPlay speaker.
Features include dual I2S DAC/amplifiers (MAX98357A), 3W per channel, 2x push fit speaker terminals, a DIP switch for mode selection, 16 RGB LED pixels, 6 edge - mounted push buttons, a software installer, an ALSA VU meter plugin, a 5W 4Ω speaker with pre - soldered wires, a 3 - layer blue acrylic enclosure, a Pi Zero W with single - core CPU and built - in wireless LAN and Bluetooth, an adaptor kit, a 50cm USB A to micro - B cable, a Python library. Note that female and male headers require soldering.
Using the Pimoroni Pirate Radio Kit is easy! First, you'll need to add your own micro - SD card and USB power supply. Then, follow Pimoroni's assembly guide to put all the parts together, which should take about 30 minutes. Once assembled, you can choose from three software projects provided by Pimoroni: an internet radio, a Spotify streaming box, or an AirPlay speaker.
When using the radio, you can control the audio with the 6 edge - mounted push buttons. You can also switch between blended mono and stereo modes using the DIP switch. The VU meter made of RGB LEDs will add a cool visual effect.
For maintenance, keep the kit in a dry and clean place. If you're not using it for a long time, remove the power supply. When handling the Pi Zero W and other components, be gentle to avoid damage. Remember that the female and male headers require soldering, so make sure you have the necessary skills or get help if you're not confident in soldering.
