You can build a Raspberry Pi retro radio by pairing the Pi with an audio output stage, a speaker and physical controls that tell playback software what to do. For a click-step dial that moves between stations or playlists, use a rotary encoder connected to GPIO. For a smooth analog dial, use a potentiometer and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), such as the MCP3008 used in the Raspberry Pi Official Magazine’s Time Machine Radio. That project’s “tuning” control selected music by decade; it did not receive broadcast radio.
Choose first whether your radio will play local files, internet streams or actual FM broadcasts. The choice determines the software and hardware, while the enclosure and knobs can be adapted to suit the radio you want to make.
Decide what the radio will play
A retro case and tuning dial do not necessarily mean over-the-air radio. A Raspberry Pi can serve as the playback and control computer, but the sound source and the meaning of “tuning” are choices you make.
- Local music: Play files stored on the Pi or another accessible collection. In the Time Machine Radio, the dial selected a music decade from a song collection. Raspberry Pi Official Magazine’s Time Machine Radio project describes that design.
- Internet radio: Use playback software to select online streams. Adafruit’s Raspberry Pi WiFi Radio guide demonstrates this direction and lists a Pi, microSD card, suitable power supply and headphones or amplified speakers among its core requirements. Its parts list is older, so check current component and service availability.
- FM reception: Add a dedicated FM receiver and integrate its controls and audio with the Pi. This is a separate subsystem, not a feature supplied by the Pi alone.
Decide what the dial should select as well: next and previous stations, presets, playlists, decades or another set of choices. That decision helps determine which knob sensor and software behavior to use.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Choose a rotary encoder or a potentiometer
The main control decision is whether turning the knob should produce steps or a position along a smooth range. Both approaches work, but they connect differently to the Pi.
| Control | How it behaves | Pi input | Good fit | Plan for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rotary encoder | Reports incremental movement as the shaft turns; models may have detents or turn smoothly. | Digital GPIO signals | Stepping through stations, presets, playlists or menus | Available GPIO pins, wiring and mechanical fit for the knob |
| Potentiometer plus ADC | Provides a changing analog voltage as the shaft moves. | An ADC converts the analog reading into values the Pi can process. | A smooth dial scale, position-based selection or volume control | ADC compatibility, potentiometer range, wiring and calibration |
For click-step station selection: rotary encoder
A rotary encoder sends digital changes that your program can map to the next or previous station, preset or playlist. Raspberry Pi’s audio-board documentation describes using GPIO 23 and GPIO 24 for a rotary encoder as a physical volume control on relevant configurations, with GPIO 27 for an encoder push switch. These are examples, not universal pin assignments: confirm what your board uses before wiring controls. See Raspberry Pi’s audio HAT documentation.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
For a smooth analog dial: potentiometer and ADC
A standard Raspberry Pi GPIO input does not directly measure a potentiometer’s changing analog voltage. Put an ADC between the potentiometer and the Pi. In the Time Machine Radio, two potentiometers were read through an MCP3008: one handled volume and the other selected the music decade. You can map readings to ranges in software, such as assigning dial positions to a set of stations.
The published project does not establish universal potentiometer values, calibration thresholds or a wiring recipe for every board and ADC. Check the specifications and wiring for your selected parts, then test how readings change through the knob’s travel before fixing a dial scale in place.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Match the audio board, speaker and power
The Pi runs playback, but a passive speaker needs an appropriate audio output and amplification path. Choose that hardware for your particular speaker and board rather than assuming every audio HAT or amplifier can be substituted without changes.
- Raspberry Pi Codec Zero: The official documentation specifies a mono mini-speaker driver rated at 1.2 W at 5 V into 8 ohms. It attaches to the 40-pin GPIO header; consult the documentation for its audio-device selection and setup. This is a compact mono option, not a specification for other boards.
- Pimoroni Audio Amp SHIM: The Time Machine Radio project uses this board, which has a built-in DAC, with its speakers. Confirm the board revision and its current documentation before planning a build around it.
- Other audio HATs or amplifiers: Follow the exact device’s output, speaker and supply instructions. For example, Raspberry Pi’s documentation says DigiAMP+ needs an external 12–24 V supply and is designed for Pi 3 and earlier; its power arrangement is specific to that product.
Raspberry Pi’s audio documentation says its HATs use the 40-pin GPIO header and describes plug-and-play support through pre-programmed EEPROM. HATs and control wiring can share pins, so use the board’s own pin and setup documentation before assigning the encoder, ADC or switches.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Plan GPIO before wiring
Audio and controls can compete for the same pins. Raspberry Pi’s audio documentation identifies power and ground, I2C pins 2 and 3, I2S pins 18–21 and, in relevant setups, GPIO 23/24 for encoder control and GPIO 27 for a push switch. Your exact allocation depends on the board and connections you choose.
- Find the pin-use information for the selected Pi and audio board.
- Record pins needed by the audio hardware, including any I2C or I2S connections.
- Assign separate, available pins to encoder signals, switches and any other controls.
- Check the voltage and wiring requirements for the encoder, ADC and potentiometers against their documentation before connecting them.
Do not copy a pin assignment from another project without checking it against your own audio hardware and Pi setup.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Build and test the radio in stages
- Define the behavior. Choose local files, internet streams or actual FM reception, then decide whether the dial selects stations, presets, playlists or another set of choices.
- Select the Pi and audio route. A Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W is used in the published Time Machine Radio project, but it is one documented option, not a requirement for every design. Check compatibility and current availability for the board and audio hardware you intend to use.
- Choose the knob hardware. Use a rotary encoder for digital step changes, or a potentiometer plus a compatible ADC for analog position readings.
- Plan the pins and power. Reconcile audio-board connections with control pins, then follow the exact audio device’s power instructions.
- Bring up playback and sound first. Set up the Pi and audio output on the bench before installing them in the radio case. Confirm that your chosen playback method produces sound through the intended output.
- Test the controls. Verify that turning the knob changes encoder steps or ADC readings as expected, then map those changes to the chosen playback actions. The cited projects do not provide one universal, ready-to-run software image for this exact build.
- Fit the hardware to the case. Measure the control shaft, knob, speaker opening, mounting points and available ventilation in your actual enclosure. The Time Machine Radio description does not provide universal case dimensions.
Add real FM reception only if you need it
For broadcast FM, add a receiver module and integrate its control and audio paths; selecting a stream or playlist is not reception. An Adafruit feature about a 1960s clock-radio retrofit reports an RDA5807 FM receiver controlled over I2C, an analog audio switch and a TPA2016 amplifier. It is a report of another project, not a complete parts recipe for every Pi or enclosure.
Also distinguish reception from transmission. Adafruit’s PiPyPirate Radio guide uses a Si4713 as an FM transmitter to send Pi audio to nearby receivers; that is not an FM receiver for listening to broadcasts.
Parts to choose for your design
Buy for the control and audio architecture you selected, not every option in the table.
Quick Recap
| Part | Role | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi, such as the Pi Zero 2 W used by the Time Machine Radio | Runs playback and control software | Current availability, audio-board compatibility, power supply and required accessories |
| Rotary encoder and panel knob | Digital step control for stations, presets or playlists | GPIO availability, wiring requirements and shaft/knob fit |
| Potentiometer and MCP3008 or another compatible ADC | Smooth analog dial readings | ADC and Pi compatibility, potentiometer range, wiring and calibration |
| Raspberry Pi Codec Zero or another compatible audio board/amplifier | Provides an audio output path for the speaker | Output power, speaker impedance, GPIO use and supply requirements |
| Speaker matched to the audio hardware | Produces sound from the radio | Impedance and power compatibility with the selected output |
| microSD card and compatible power supply | Supports the Pi and its software | Requirements for the exact Pi model and connected audio hardware |
| FM receiver module, only for broadcast reception | Adds an RF receiving subsystem | Control interface, audio routing and software integration for the selected module |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
