# An ESP32-S3 desk radio that streams the internet

Swap the AM/FM tuner for WiFi and a stream URL. This small desktop radio runs on an ESP32-S3, an OLED, a rotary encoder and a 3 W speaker.

- Category: Hardware (build)
- Made by: [CodersCafeTech](https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Cute-Mini-Internet-Radio) on Instructables
- Original: https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Cute-Mini-Internet-Radio
- On Afterware: https://afterware.xyz/p/an-esp32-s3-desk-radio-that-streams-the-internet

## Can I build this?

- Difficulty: Intermediate
- AI-buildability: 4/5 (The firmware (WiFi, stream decoding, I2S audio, OLED UI, encoder input) is mostly software on off-the-shelf modules, with some light soldering and a printed case left for you to do.)
- Time: A weekend
- Cost: $20–40
- Parts: ESP32-S3, 1.3in SH1106 128x64 OLED, MAX98357 I2S amplifier, 3W speaker, Rotary encoder
- Tools: soldering iron, 3D printer

Estimates based on the original write-up. How the AI-buildability score works: https://afterware.xyz/ai-buildability

## Starter prompt

```
Based on "An ESP32-S3 desk radio that streams the internet" on Afterware: https://afterware.xyz/p/an-esp32-s3-desk-radio-that-streams-the-internet

Write Arduino firmware for an ESP32-S3 dev board that connects to WiFi and plays an internet radio stream URL through a MAX98357 I2S amplifier. Show the station name and status on a 1.3in SH1106 128x64 OLED over I2C, and use a rotary encoder to step through a list of stream URLs stored in code. Keep the code modular so the station list is easy to edit.
```

## Story

Forget the broadcast dial. This desktop radio has no AM or FM tuner at all. The ESP32-S3 development board's onboard WiFi pulls in streams from the internet, so the "antenna" is really a 2.4 GHz one.

The controls are minimal: a 1.3-inch SH1106 OLED over I2C shows what's playing, and a rotary encoder handles the rest. Audio goes through a MAX98357 I2S amplifier into a small 3 W speaker. Once it's programmed, the unit only needs a WiFi SSID, a password and the URL of the station you want.

It's a cheap way to get a dedicated radio that never needs a phone in the room. The whole thing is a few common modules and a speaker, so you can build it on a weekend and point it at any stream you like.

## Resources

- [Original build (Instructables)](https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Cute-Mini-Internet-Radio)

Tags: esp32-s3, internet radio, oled, rotary encoder, i2s audio, desktop radio

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