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

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid670679-v4-728px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

If you are in the USA, the FCC has explicit rules that govern how much power you can use to get your message out.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid670679-v4-728px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/aa\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/aa\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid670679-v4-728px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/34\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/34\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid670679-v4-728px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fb\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fb\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid670679-v4-728px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Method 1

Method 1 of 1:

Use a PCI card

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid670679-v4-728px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid670679-v4-728px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid670679-v4-728px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/aid670679-v4-728px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b1\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b1\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/aid670679-v4-728px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/aid670679-v4-728px-Broadcast-Radio-from-Your-Computer-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 16
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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 5
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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 16 Helpful 11

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Enable your microphone for playback by unchecking the mute check box on your PC soundcard mixer <- This will let you announce songs.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Use Skype to conduct telephone call-ins over-the-air

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Accept song requests by email from friends and neighbors

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

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.

Thanks
Helpful 10 Not Helpful 1
See https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/lpfm for details regarding pursuing a Low Power FM license.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

an MP3 FM transmitter or
a PCI MAX 2007+ FM transmitter
Media player software
Skype-in account (optional)
Microphone (optional)

Log in

How to Broadcast Radio from Your Computer

Steps

Use a PCI card

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories