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PIrateRF transforms your Raspberry Pi Zero W into a portable RF signal generator that spawns its own WiFi hotspot. Control everything from FM broadcasts to digital modes through your browser - hack the airwaves from anywhere! 📡⚡

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PIrateRF – Turn a $20 Raspberry Pi Zero into a 12-mode RF transmitter

by metadescription·Feb 17, 2026·33 points·13 comments
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AI Analysis

●●●BangerWizardryNiche GemRabbit Hole

12 RF modes on a $20 Pi Zero—FM, FT8, SSTV, spectrum paint, all from browser.

Strengths
  • •Genuine hardware-software integration: rpitx GPIO generation + Go backend + real-time WebSocket frontend is non-trivial
  • •12 distinct transmission modes, each with real protocols (POCSAG, FT8, SSTV)—not just wrappers
  • •Multi-device WiFi AP control + preset/playlist system shows thoughtful UX for experimentation
Weaknesses
  • •Legal ambiguity: "I am not responsible for your stupid fuckin' decisions" tone signals regulatory handwaving that could deter enterprise/serious amateurs
  • •Indoor 5m range limitation means niche audience—serious RF folks want external antenna support and higher power
Category
Hardware
Target Audience

Amateur radio enthusiasts, RF engineers, hobbyists learning digital modes

Similar To

HackRF One · BladeRF · USRP (software-defined radio platforms)

Post Description

I built a software-defined radio transmission platform that runs on a Raspberry Pi Zero W. It spawns its own WiFi hotspot and serves a web UI — connect from any device and you have a portable RF signal generator with 12 transmission modes: FM broadcasting with RDS, FT8, RTTY, FSK, POCSAG paging, Morse code, SSTV image transmission, voice cloning via live mic, spectrum painting, IQ replay, carrier wave, and frequency sweeps.

Everything runs through a browser interface. Upload audio files, type messages, configure frequencies, and transmit. The Pi's GPIO pin does the actual RF generation via rpitx — no external radio hardware needed.

Written in Go with a real-time WebSocket frontend. Includes a preset system, playlist builder, and multi-device support (connect multiple phones/laptops to the AP and share control).

Without an antenna the signal barely reaches 5 meters, which makes it perfect for indoor experimentation and learning about RF protocols without causing interference. All my testing was done indoors with no antenna attached.

Built this because I wanted a single portable tool to experiment with every common RF transmission mode without hauling around expensive SDR equipment.

Pre-built SD card image available if you want to skip the build process.

GitHub: https://github.com/psyb0t/piraterf Blog post: https://ciprian.51k.eu/piraterf-turning-a-20-raspberry-pi-ze...

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