Top products from r/Piratebox

pi zero - $5.00

pins - $8.95

wifi adapter* - $13.33

right angle USB ports - $5.64

USB battery - $3.99

micro-mini usb cable - $2.89

Total: $39.80

*I used an Alfa AWUSO36NH but the TP-LINK TL-WN722N should work. More information on compatible network adapters here.

The optional Illuminated LED shutdown switch makes this device easier to use but costs an additional $16.99


About

PirateBox software runs on inexpensive hardware to connect users over an offline wifi network. Join it and your browser redirects to a simple interface where you can share files, chat, and stream video.

Pifm is a small program you can install in a Raspberry Pi PirateBox, aka “pi(rate)box.” It can broadcast on FM radio to inform potential users about the PirateBox wifi network, play uploaded music, and with a USB microphone Pifm lets you talk live to your audience.

Improvements

The first version of this project was well received so I'm back to share design and documentation improvements. Pi(rate)FM Zero is now fully self contained. It turns on and off with a button press and can automatically broadcast information about the wifi network over empty FM stations at user defined intervals.

Why not use a car/smartphone FM trasmitter?

You totally could. It might even be better in some situations if you don't mind a slightly larger, more expensive device with an extra battery to charge. Keep in mind you'd lose the ability to live broadcast with a microphone or play audio directly from the PirateBox.

Going forward

In my next version I'd like to improve the PirateBox interface and make a way for users to rate playlists while having Pifm automatically play the highest ranked tracks. Users could upload music and vote on which tracks gets played. It'd be your own personal short range interactive digital-analog radio station hosted on a private intranet.

Bonus**

Here's a .img file for your convenience. Just install it to an SD card (at least 4 gb) and run it in a Pi Zero to get started. Note: auto broadcast on FM isn't enabled by default so you'll need to add a cronjob as detailed in the guide if you want to activate this feature.

I'm new to this also, but did you install it on a raspberry pi(I assume so) or some other device? To find your default broadcast range you can download an app on android called Wifi Analyzer or something similar on other devices. Just open that app and see how strong your signal is. Keep getting further and further out until it drops off or is close to and that should determine your range(mine barely makes it outside of my house.), Of course if you are making this portable you will need to consider your surroundings. Open space will broadcast further then the coffee shop made out of brick. If you are using a pi you will pry want something like this to extend your range. you will have to change what wlan port your pi is using. (i pulled this specific antenna from this build guide). I personally have not tested if this will produce more range then what a pi3 is capable of. As far as how to power it so it can be portable I am still trying to figure this out. Maybe this can help you get started.

When you get this completed please send me a message I would like to know what you ending up doing.

Like these?

http://www.amazon.com/RAVPower-Wireless-Companion-Streamer-External/dp/B00INMB23Q/
http://www.amazon.com/RAVPower-Wireless-Companion-Streamer-External/dp/B00L9TEIMW/

$30 & $36 respectively, shares files over WiFi, MicroSD & USB slots, built-in battery. I've only casually looked into building my own piratebox, but to my untrained eye, these look like pretty nice no-effort alternatives.

Looking back at your post I realized I slightly misunderstood what you were doing. But in terms of ruggedness and portability I think it would be a better option to just mount the pirate box in a case(which I am trying to find on that will work well for this, so if you have any ideas!?) and carry a separate device. The pirate box interface is all browser accessible, So phone/tablet/netbook/etc. would be fine to access it from.
I bought a rechargeable power cell This style was used and recommended in a pirate box build I read. I am really impressed with how light and small it is. We will see how long the battery life is with the wifi but I expect it won't be too terrible.

If you go the path of a Raspi, use a power control circuit hat that makes it portable to an extent, make a large battery pack using your choice of battery media something like this but get a bigger battery, a USB wireless adapter with an external antenna port so you can get better reception.

You may want to check out the MR3040 and this guide, built in battery, cleaner than adding to the 3020.

As for which is 'better' pre-built vs PirateBox I'd go with the DIY option every time, a lot more fun and it's still under development, check out the road map here

I wish I could say it was, this is it here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VHVRDT2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

>mikrotik hap ac2

https://www.amazon.com/MikroTik-RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC-Dual-Concurrent-802-11a-Ethernet/dp/B079SD8NVQ

https://www.amazon.com/Mikrotik-RB941-2nD-TC-Lite-2-4Ghz-802-11b/dp/B016E93MX2/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=mikrotik+hap&qid=1574113480&s=electronics&sr=1-4

> TP-LINK TL-MR3040

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-MR3040-Wireless-Portable-Compatible/dp/B0088PPFP4