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dpipstudio/botwave

Broadcast audio files and live streams over FM radio from one or more Raspberry Pi devices, managed from a central server.

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Last commit
6 days ago

What is it?

BotWave turns Raspberry Pi boards into FM radio transmitters. A single Pi can run as a standalone local client, or several Pis can connect to a central server that sends files, starts and stops broadcasts, and manages them together.

Audio files in common formats such as MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC and OGG are converted automatically before broadcasting. Files can be uploaded from the local filesystem or downloaded from a URL, and a queue system handles playlists. Live streaming from other applications is supported through an ALSA loopback card, and tasks can run automatically on events or at boot.

The project includes a command-line shell on the local client and server, optional WebSocket remote management with passkey authentication, and an installer for Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch. Pi 5 and Pico are not supported. Users must follow local FM broadcasting regulations.

Key features

  • 01Standalone local client for a single Raspberry Pi, or client-server mode for multiple Pis.
  • 02Converts common audio formats such as MP3, WAV, FLAC and AAC automatically.
  • 03Uploads files from the local filesystem or downloads them from a URL.
  • 04Live broadcasting of audio from other applications via an ALSA loopback card.
  • 05Remote management over WebSocket with passkey authentication.
  • 06Task automation to run commands on events or at system boot.

Use cases

  • Learning how FM transmission and RDS work with a Raspberry Pi.
  • Running a small local radio station or art installation across several Pis.
  • Broadcasting announcements or music to a short-range area from a Pi with a wire antenna.
  • Scripting automated broadcast schedules through the server CLI or task automation.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Run the official install script from the README (review it first if you prefer)

  2. 2

    Start the standalone local client on one Raspberry Pi

    sudo bw-local
  3. 3

    Inside the BotWave shell, download a sample audio file

    botwave › dl https://cdn.douxx.tech/files/ss.wav
  4. 4

    Start broadcasting the file at 88 MHz

    botwave › start ss.wav 88

Things to know

  • Requires a Raspberry Pi (models 2, 3, 4 or Zero); Pi 5 and Pico are not supported.
  • Broadcasting FM signals may be regulated in your area and requires root access.
  • Live broadcasting needs an extra ALSA loopback setup.

Topics

#raspberry-pi#fm-transmitter#radio#broadcasting#python#iot#automation#botwave#fm#good-first-contribution

FAQ

What is botwave?
Broadcast audio files and live streams over FM radio from one or more Raspberry Pi devices, managed from a central server. BotWave turns Raspberry Pi boards into FM radio transmitters. A single Pi can run as a standalone local client, or several Pis can connect to a central server that sends files, starts and stops broadcasts, and manages them together.
Is botwave free to use? What license does it have?
botwave is open source under the GPL-3.0 license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is botwave still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to botwave was on Nov 1, 2026.
What can I use botwave for?
Learning how FM transmission and RDS work with a Raspberry Pi. Running a small local radio station or art installation across several Pis. Broadcasting announcements or music to a short-range area from a Pi with a wire antenna. Scripting automated broadcast schedules through the server CLI or task automation.
How do I install botwave?
Run the official install script from the README (review it first if you prefer) Start the standalone local client on one Raspberry Pi: sudo bw-local Inside the BotWave shell, download a sample audio file: botwave › dl https://cdn.douxx.tech/files/ss.wav Start broadcasting the file at 88 MHz: botwave › start ss.wav 88
Where can I get botwave?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/dpipstudio/botwave

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