After a brief break, am thrilled to bring forth the latest developments in my ongoing radio project. I apologize for the suspense, but the wait has been well worth it. It brings me immense pleasure to reveal that my radio is now not just a device but a portable companion (that is if you are ready to walk around with 3 breadboards and a speaker, although I intend on making it a pcb soon).

 In this blog post I will elucidate the exciting enhancements that made this possible. 

1. The Power Source

Previously, the radio was powered via USB cable connected to my laptop. However, this was not a feasible option in the pursuit of making my radio portable. Hence, the radio currently operates at 4.5V (3 AA batteries) which not only promises convenience but also the freedom to explore and enjoy radio waves on the go.

2. The Processor

I have switched from using the Arduino nano board to using the ATmega328P 16MHz IC. I decided to make this switch in order to make this gadget more power efficient and lighter in weight. I have utilised an FTDI FT232RL USB to TTL board in order to program the IC from my computer. 

I will release a detailed blog post next Friday explaining how I programmed the ATmega328P IC and will include steps for anyone interested to follow.

3. The Code

The underlying code has been meticulously refined to enhance efficiency and reduce static. 

4. The Joystick

I have changed the joystick from the PS2 joystick to a PSP joystick. While this does not affect the radio's core functionality, I went ahead with this change in order to elevate the ease of channel-switching for users and to reduce the overall weight of this gadget.  Although, I must warn you that the PSP joystick introduced its own set of challenges during the soldering process, making it much harder to solder. 

Now that this radio is portable, it opens up a whole new ocean of opportunities for improvements and upgrades. Nevertheless, my first intent would be to make a PCB for this radio. Until then have a great day and keep an eye out for a blog post coming out - and this time I mean it - soon !