Scanning Radio AKA Ghost Box – Installment 1

Project Overview

This is a DIY Scanning Radio Ghost Box using an Arduino Uno. Launched on Twitter as part of the Bread Boards & Bill series.

This is the first installment of a multi part project where we will continue to add features on to the base that this installment establishes.

Reference

PDF Version of this guide with additional pictures:

Video of this guide on YouTube

Materials / Tools Needed

1. Arduino Uno
2. Arduino Radio Module
3. Hook Up Wire

Software

1. Go to the Arduino Software page
2. Choose the IDE based on the type of computer it will run on
3. Download and start
4. From the Tools menu select Library Manager
5. In Library Manager Search Bar type in TEA5767
6. Select ArduinoTEA5767 and Install
7. From File Menu select Examples
8. Choose ArduinoTEA5767 File SimpleFixedFrequency

Hardware

1. Connect BLACK wire from Arduino UNO GND to Radio Module GND
2. Connect RED wire from Arduino UNO 3.3v to Radio Module 5v ** Radio Module can run on 3.3v
3. Connect ORANGE wire from Arduino UNO SLC to Radio Module SLC
4. Connect YELLOW wire form Arduino UNO SDA to Radio Module SDA
5. Install radio antenna , plug in earphone or speaker
6. Plug in USB cable to Arduino UNO
7. Double check wiring
8. Plug in USB cable to computer, Arduino UNO should power on.

Testing

1. With the example file SimpleFixedFrequency loaded
2. Select Verify/Compile from Sketch
3. Verify Successful compile
4. From Sketch select Upload
5. Verify Program was uploaded to the Arduino UNO
6. Modify this line to change the selected frequency radio.setFrequency(93.0); // 93.0 FM IE:radio.setFrequency(107.5); // 107.5 FM
7. Re-compile and reload then verify the frequency is set to the new station using headphones or a speaker

Troubleshooting

• Issue: Software won’t compile
• Resolution: Make sure the Library ARDUIOTEA5767 was installed in the Library manager

Looking Ahead To Installment 2

1. Load scanning software
2. Discuss Band Allocation of the FM band US
3. Discuss how to change scan rate and scan distance
4. View the Complete PDF of this first installment
5. ** For those who can’t wait copy the code below and paste it in your Arduino IDE , replace the original Simple Fixed Frequency
6. Compile and upload to your UNO, It will now scan from 88 – 108 FM the Step is in increments of .1 Mhz

// TEA5767 Example by Simon Monk
// Scanning code part of the open ghostbox project 

#include <Wire.h>                             // SLC SDA communications for radio module
#include <TEA5767Radio.h>                     // Radio library tells the arduino how to interface the radio module
TEA5767Radio radio = TEA5767Radio();          // Define radio model

void setup()                                  // setup files
{
  Wire.begin();                               // start IC2 communications
}

void loop()
{

  for ( float r = 88.00; r <= 108.00;r = r+.1)  // loop and scan from 88 to 108 stepping .1 mhz
  {
    radio.setFrequency(r);                      // Set radio to new frequency
    delay(200);                                 // wait here for .2 seconds
  }
}

These are the lines you can modify to control scan, scan increment and scan rate.

  for ( float r = 88.00; r <= 108.00;r = r+.1)  // loop and scan from 88 to 108 stepping .1 mhz
  // this line controls the scan distance 88.00 , 108.00 
  
  delay(200);   
 // change the delay to increase of decrease the time between channels "Scan Rate"