Slow Scan Television for Raspberry Pi Pico

October 8, 2025 ยท View on GitHub

.. image:: images/sstv_decoder.jpg

Features

  • Cheap, Easy Build
  • Minimal External Components
  • Transmit and receive functionality
  • Martin, Scottie, Robot, SC2, and PD modes
  • Works with any SSB receiver using a headphone connector
  • Standalone Design (no PC or soundcard needed)
  • SD Card Storage
  • Waterfall
  • Image File Browser and Slideshow

Install Arduino Pico

The SSTV code is written in pure C++, but a demo application is provided as an Arduino library <https://github.com/dawsonjon/PicoSSTV/raw/refs/heads/main/sstv_library.zip>. The Arduino Pico <https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico> port by Earle Philhower is probably the easiest way to install and configure a C++ development environment for the Raspberry Pi Pico. It is possible to install the tool and get up and running with example applications in just a few minutes. Refer to the installation instructions <https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico?tab=readme-ov-file#installing-via-arduino-boards-manager>__ and the online documentation <https://arduino-pico.readthedocs.io/en/latest/>__ to get started.

Install the SSTV library in Arduino Pico

The original SSTV decoder used a very simple circuit, and the code was supplied as a simple sketch. I wanted to include a number of new features that would require different (additional) hardware. I wanted to provide software to support existing hardware while also supporting new hardware with a more comprehensive set of features. I decided that the best approach was to move from an Arduino sketch to providing an Arduino library.

  1. Install Arduino IDE <https://support.arduino.cc/hc/en-us/articles/360019833020-Download-and-install-Arduino-IDE#installation-instructions>__.
  2. Install Arduino Pico Core <https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico?tab=readme-ov-file#installing-via-arduino-boards-manager>__.
  3. Download the Arduino SSTV library <https://github.com/dawsonjon/PicoSSTV/raw/refs/heads/main/sstv_library.zip>__.
  4. Install the library in the Arduino IDE.

.. image:: images/library_install.png

  1. Load the SSTV examples.

.. image:: images/arduino_examples.png

Examples

One of the nice things about Arduino libraries is the ability to include a number of code examples. I chose to use this feature to provide a few different example designs, ranging from the very simple to the more complete.

sstv_receive_tft ''''''''''''''''

Similar to the original design, supporting the original hardware but with new modes.

.. image:: images/tft_circuit.png

sstv_receive_with_sd ''''''''''''''''''''

Adds simple automatic SD card logging to the basic design

.. image:: images/sd_card_circuit.png

sstv_transmit_sd_basic ''''''''''''''''''''''

A minimal transmit-only example. Transmits an image from SD card.

.. image:: images/transmit_circuit.png

sstv_full '''''''''

Receive and transmit functionality, SD card storage and full menu driven UI.

.. image:: images/full_circuit.png

Documentation

For technical details, refer to the technical documentation part 1 <https://101-things.readthedocs.io/en/latest/sstv_decoder.html>_ and part 2 <https://101-things.readthedocs.io/en/latest/sstv_decoder_part2.html>__.

3D-Printed Enclosure

A 3D printed enclosure can be found here <https://github.com/dawsonjon/PicoSSTV/tree/main/enclosure>__, including stl files and FreeCAD design files.

Other Builds

.. image:: https://github.com/Brabudu/WioTerminalSSTV/raw/main/img/sstv.jpg

Check out the port <https://github.com/Brabudu/WioTerminalSSTV>__ to Wio Terminal by Franciscu Capuzzi "Brabudu" IS0JSV.

Credits

Many thanks to Franciscu Capuzzi IS0JSV for implementing additional modes and the waterfall feature. This project uses the ILI934X display driver by Darren Horrocks.