BirdNet Pi Setup

README.md

Overview

This is an explanation of my BirdNET-Pi (https://birdnetpi.com/) hardware installation.

Details

The idea is to have minimal hardware outdoors (a microphone) and keep the rest indoors where it is easier to manage and keep climate controlled. I had an existing CAT5 cable running from my computer area to an outdoor telco box. It was used for an old DSL install. I used the telco box to house a CAT5-to-XLR adapter and most of an XLR omnidirectional lavalier microphone, with the tip of the microphone sticking out the bottom of the telco box.

References

Reference and inspiration for doing XLR over CAT5: http://randomcontributions.blogspot.com/2018/02/using-ethernet-cat5e-cat6-wire-for-xlr.html

This image in particular:

Steps

You have to make your own CAT5-to-XLR cables. After you do that, everything is plug-and-play.

Use rpi4 with BirdNET-Pi ->
powered USB hub ->
USB-to-XLR (with 48v phantom power) ->
XLR-to-CAT5 ->
CAT5 run to microphone area ->
CAT5-to-XLR ->
XLR omnidirectional lavalier microphone

Parts

• Raspberry Pi 4 with BirdNet Pi setup
• Powerered USB hub (so the rpi4 isn't having to supply the 48v phantom power)
  • Not sure if this is necessary, but I had an extra one sitting around so I used it
• USB-to-XLR (with 48v phantom power)

  • Maono 10FT USB to XLR Microphone Cable, New Generation (48V Phantom Power USB A to XLR Female Cable in ONE) and Shielding Ring Cord for XLR

  • rpi4 will reboot OK with this plugged in but it will not power on from shut down with it plugged in.
    • I have to unplug it to get it to boot or output to display (???)
  • URL: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y5GM2B5
• XLR-to-CAT5
  • I had to terminate CAT5 to these and it was hard to do. One of them I was able to soldier and the other I had to crimp.
  • If I had it do this project again, I'd try a different way to make my own CAT5-to-XLR adapters.
  • male
    • url: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=6210
  • female
    • url: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=6211
• XLR Omnidirectional lavalier microphone
  • I got this one sale for far below list price
    • url: https://www.adorama.com/haomlxlr.html
  • The microphone will be exposed to the elements and break eventually.
  • I have no particular brand to recommend
  • I think the cheapest one you can get is fine
  • I have 3 more even cheaper ones en route from Ali Express as backups for when this one fails
  • Long term I need to figure out a weatherproof omnidirectional XLR microphone

Just discovered this product, which eliminates the need to make your own XLR-to-CAT5 cable: https://www.adj.com/acrj453pset