PixelRadio, a DiY FM Transmitter with RDS RadioText

[Keith R]

BTW, I originally intended to make this a SMT board (I prefer SMD soldering over through-hole construction). But I didn't want to discourage any PixelRadio builders that have never tried SMT. So the 1/8W size resistors are my best effort compromise to create a small board that is less scary to build by average builders.
- Thomas

I can certainly appreciate this. Otherwise, I would not have attempted it. Thanks!

While the thought of having a 3D printer sounds good to me.... And, that killing question: "But what do you need it for?"

I bought a second one because it was $99 at Micro Center.

[Stormyblade]

I can certainly appreciate this. Otherwise, I would not have attempted it. Thanks!



I bought a second one because it was $99 at Micro Center.

I'm in Oregon - there's no Micro Center within hundreds of miles.

[TomL8345]

The build of my 2 Pixel Radios is complete, now I have to figure out the installation of the software, hopefully, tonight or tomorrow night. I will also be printing the ends for the enclosure in the next couple of days.

[TomL8345]

I am in the process of trying to install the PlatformIO IDE to Visual Studio Code. My screen has been like this for over 1/2 an hour now with no progress.
PlatformIO Installing.png

Suggestions?

[ThomasLED]

My screen has been like this for over 1/2 an hour now with no progress.

Confirm your version of Python is supported by Platformio. Should be V3.6 or greater. I'm using Python V3.7.
https://docs.platformio.org/en/lates...install-python

Be sure to review the installation doc:
https://docs.platformio.org/en/lates...al-environment
EDIT: Disable your virus/malware protection *before* the installation.

If everything looks correct then do a Hail Mary: close Platformio, reboot, and try again.

If still no joy then I suggest posting the issue on the Platformio Github site.

- Thomas

[ukewarrior]

Sounds like excellent progress!
Can you post some pics of your PCB builds?

The build of my 2 Pixel Radios is complete, now I have to figure out the installation of the software, hopefully, tonight or tomorrow night. I will also be printing the ends for the enclosure in the next couple of days.

[ThomasLED]

@TomL8345, hopefully you were unable to resolve the problem. But if still no joy and are installing on Windows, then please open a command prompt and run these two commands:

netsh int ipv4 show dynamicport tcp

netsh int ipv6 show dynamicport tcp

Report the response for each command. This will tell us if your Win machine has the correct ports enabled. The expected response would be:

Start Port      : 49152
Number of Ports : 16384

- Thomas

[MartinMueller2003]

Just had the same issue yesterday with my reinstall (I had other problems with one of my projects). If you watch carefully, there is a popup that indicates python is missing. Did you remember to check the "Add python path to environment" box? I did. On the popup there is a "I Have Python installed" button. Click it and a new menu comes up at the top of the window asking for a path to python, paste in the path. Then restart VS. The error will come up again but after a minute you will see that the install is actually making progress. This worked for me. YMMV

[TomL8345]

Sounds like excellent progress!
Can you post some pics of your PCB builds?

I still have to program and install the ESP32 as well as installing the CD4052 chip. You may notice that I used double row headers for the ESP32 (that was what I had on hand) I just pulled out 1 row of pins from each before soldering.
20220506_092722_HDR-640.jpg 20220506_092822_HDR-640.jpg 20220506_092954_HDR-640.jpg 20220506_093014_HDR-640.jpg

[TomL8345]

I am in the process of trying to install the PlatformIO IDE to Visual Studio Code. My screen has been like this for over 1/2 an hour now with no progress.
PlatformIO Installing.png

Suggestions?

My issue was I had not installed Python on my machine. I got past that hurdle, now I need to work on the next steps.