K16A-B with Si4713 FM Transmitter static

[cscott126]

I've got a K16A-B with an Si4713 FM transmitter installed, well 3 of them (Si4713) have been tried actually.  In each case, I have complete static, mostly static, or some static.  I've also tried three different antennas, but none of them being a dipole style.

I've discovered lowering the volume setting in the FPP GUI can get rid of some of the static, but I can't seem to clean up the signal entirely.  I was wondering if anyone has success with an Si4713 putting out a clean signal and what your settings are in the Si4713/Vast V-FMT212R plugin and what type of antenna you are running?

Thank you.

*Edit* Please move to more appropriate forum if necessary.  I meant to put this in the Beagle Bone Black forum.

[SCUBA]

I'm using the Si4713 and the plugin.  I use a J-pole antenna (made from 1/2" Copper pipe).  I used https://www.hamuniverse.com/jpole.html for the design.  It took about 1 hour to make.....cost me less then $15.  The screen shot has my settings for the plug-in..  I get great reception 1 - 300 or 500 feet away (depends if I want the RDS to work or not).

I use a radio in my office about a foot from the transmitter.  Lots of static.  But the car radio's work find.  I think I might be overloading the one in the office and that's what's generating the static.  You might want to check the quality of the sound out on the street.

Also I'm using an USB-to-audio adapter.   The quality of sound is better than the FPP Pi phono output.  Volume level on the status page is 75-80... 

[cscott126]

Thanks, SCUBA!  I'm going to check out that article about the antenna.

[cscott126]

Well, even after fabricating another antenna, I'm still having issues with static.  I have a USB powered FM transmitter that I changed over to and found that using it, the static goes away quite a bit, even more so when I isolate its power from the controller.

This leads me to believe the source of my problem is the HP power supply bleeding a lot of RF interference through the controller and into the Si4713.

I'm going to try to replace the single HP server PSU with a pair of 350W Meanwell PSUs in the hopes my theory is correct.

[SCUBA]

Please let me know how that works out.  BTW: yesterday the Si4713 quit working until I rebooted the FPP.  And just know the it failed again.  Re-boot worked again, but It appears to be a problem. Last year there was no issue with the Si4713 or the plug in....... has anyone else experienced this issue?

[cscott126]

I converted from a single HP server PSU to a pair of Meanwell LRS-350-12 and I still have almost nothing but static when using an Si4713.  Switched back to the USB FM transmitter, and it works.  I also updated to FPP v4.5 today and lost all audio.  Reverted back to v4.4 and audio started working again.

[DreamGuy242]

I've been noticing issues with the Si4713. I've been playing music on repeat and every once in and while I will only hear static. Once I reboot the Raspberry Pi OR do "Execute GPIR Reset" it starts working again.

[jpianoman]

I had static issues with my transmitter last year. It is in the same case as the power supply, Pi, and f16v3.  I put the transmitter it into a faraday bag and it solved 95% of the static. If nothing else works, might be worth a shot.