How to Broadcast Radio from Your Computer

Last Updated: May 21, 2021

Broadcasting FM radio from your computer can be very simple or very costly. I am going to show you two low cost options to get your tunes out of your computer and on to your FM radio.

Steps

1
Determine who your intended audience is. If you are in the USA, the FCC has explicit rules that govern how much power you can use to get your message out.
2
If broadcasting to your home stereo or a backyard boombox is what you seek, purchase an MP3 FM radio transmitter.

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3
Plug the MP3 FM radio transmitter into a speaker or headphone jack on your computer.
4
Load a playlist into Windows Media Player or another media player application and click play.
5
Go enjoy your tunes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 1:

Use a PCI card

1
Purchase an FM transmitter that plugs into a PCI slot in your personal computer.
2
Connect the jumper cable from the speaker out/headphone jack on your PC sound card to the audio input on the transmitter.
3
Load the included software.
4
Pick an empty frequency to transmit on.
5
Load your favorite playlist into a media player software and click play.
6
Go enjoy your tunes.

Community Q&A

Question

Can a computer transmit on amateur radio frequencies?

Suprabath

Community Answer

No, you need to use any external device such as an AM or FM transmitter.
Question

How many square miles can such a station cover?

Community Answer

Around 65 feet; this is not a big radio station. Bigger devices require more electricity and space.
Question

What should you do if you want to broadcast to AM radio?

Community Answer

If you live in the United States, you need a permit from the FCC at least.

Warnings

In the USA, you need a license to legally use an FM transmitter that doesn't comply with part 15 rules. The two methods above are legal to use, but there are stronger transmitters for sale that are not legal in the USA without a license. Not heeding this advice can be costly.

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See https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/lpfm for details regarding pursuing a Low Power FM license.

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