Roberts 747 – DIY Raspberry Pi internet radio/streamer

Roberts 747, great radio from 1990. Fully working in very good condition. Found it on antique sale after a long hunt for something like this.

I have a spare Raspberry Pi model B V1 home as a spare and it was just catching dust for some years as I couldn't decide what to do with it.

Roberts 747 - DIY Raspberry Pi internet radio streamer

Than I came across this piece of software called β€œPi MusicBox”: http://www.woutervanwijk.nl/pimusicbox/

And I finally found a use for my RPi

This Pi MusicBox offers:

– Standalone Spotify, Google Music, SoundCloud music player

– Remote control it with a nice browser-interface, or with an MPD-client

– Web Radio, Internet radio

– AirTunes/AirPlay streaming

– Play music files from the SD, USB, Network.

– and much more…

So I wanted to combine the great Roberts radio, RPi and this piece of soft. Mine main goal was to keep the radio fully functional and intact. So no extra bits, no drilling, no outside wires, etc.

There is not much room inside of the radio so it wasn't an easy task and I had a few challenges. But that was the best on this little project.

So after I opened and took it apart for a first time, first I thought I would not be able to squeeze all in.

But after a while I managed to find a spot for RPi and power supply.

The RPi is fitted on double sided tape and without any casing as there was simply no room for it or for any fittings. I have managed to took apart and ordinary wall charger and used just the electronic board which is hard wired on both sides. It is soldered to the mains of the radio and than on the other sides its soldered to the RPi directly as, once again, there was no room for USB connector.

Than I had to find a way to switch between radio and AUX (RPi). The solution was pretty simple. There is a connector for external aerial. So I have split the cable from 3.5mm Jack and soldered that to this aerial (which is disconnected inside) and PCB. So this way I do not need an extra switch for switching between radio and AUX(RPi). Every time I want to switch to AUX(RPi) all I need to do is to shorten this aerial connector. The easy way to do so is just by plug in the blank coax connector which is shortened inside.

Roberts 747 - DIY Raspberry Pi internet radio streamer

So all challenges solved.

All wired, placed, fitted inside. No visible changes from outside

Twitter – @richard79d https://twitter.com/richard79d

G+ – Richard Danis

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http://www.xbian.org – rikardo1979

 

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About The Author

Ibrar Ayyub

I am an experienced technical writer with a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan University. I have written for various industries, mainly home automation and engineering. My writing style is clear and simple, and I am skilled in using infographics and diagrams. I am a great researcher and am able to present information in a well-organized and logical manner.

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