Peanut is an App for Android or Windows, developed by PA7LIM, that allows VOIP communication on unique Rooms of which some are connected to D-Star, C4FM or DMR and output via Gateways or Repeaters. This is an excellent system for those who do not have VHF/UHF, DMR, C4FM or D-Star equipment. Peanut provides the perfect meeting place for Radio Club members and allowing those on the C4FM Repeaters and gateways to join in.
Firstly, it is necessary to Register your Callsign with D-Star and DMR so that the system will recognise you. It is wise to have a PDF or snapshot of the first page of you licence handy as this will be requested for the DMR registration.
For D-Star registration go to https://icomuk.co.uk/News_Article/2/1052/
For DMR registration go to https://radioid.net/#!
To register for the Peanut app go to https://register.peanut.network/
The process to apply is relatively painless but the Peanut and DMR I/D require a copy of the front page of your licence. It may take 24 Hours to receive confirmation of the I/Ds
The peanut app for Android phone or tablet may be downloaded from the Google Play store – it is called Peanut for Android.
The version of Peanut for windows maybe downloaded from https://software.pa7lim.nl/peanut/STABLE/
1) Assuming all of the registrations have been completed, install and run the Peanut App.
2) Go into set up and fill in the boxes with Call sign, Peanut code from PA7LIM and DMR I/D
3) The app will require you to establish the PTT key – in some cases you press a bar showing on the screen or alternatively press a key on a keyboard. If you have an internet radio then press the PTT.
4) Press submit, and your system is set up and ready to go.
On the android version there is a slider that needs to be pressed to log in. Windows has an On/Off slider located at the top left of the screen.
Assuming all is working, and the app is running:
There are two dropdown menus that will enable selection of the country e.g., IE and the other will allow selection of the Room so in the case of Ireland select IE for country and there are two rooms to choose from IRELAND or YSF-IRE
IRELAND is a chat Room confined to Peanut and does not connect to any Repeater or Gateway. Conversations will not be retransmitted anywhere.
YSF-IRE is connected to YSF-Ireland, DMR TG 2724 and CQ-IRELAND this will retransmit on the Galway Repeater, TG 2724 on DMR and YSF-IRELAND.
This is the perfect App to allow those with no Digital or VHF/UHF handhelds to actually operate through the Galway Repeater on 145.625. It is possible to hold a Digital net on the Galway Repeater and have input from operators using DMR and Peanut in the same net. The Perfect system for getting all club members on the Galway repeater for a net.
Of course, there are many countries that can be accessed via Peanut. These may be selected from the drop down menu for rooms
Another option in the countries list is ALL and this will real every single room accessible from Peanut.
Any of the following rooms will come out on RF
YSF – C4FM
TGF, HBL, DMR – DMR
DCS, XLX, XRF, REF – D-Star
Anything with just a Name e.g., English,English 1, or Ireland are individual Peanut rooms.
What are the advantages?
Programmed into a Mobile phone or tablet with access to internet or internet via cellular, it is possible to communicate back into Galway via the Repeater on C4FM or via TG 2724 via DMR.
It is possible to establish a net
on the IRELAND Room which will give an area for a group to chat. Please note
that others have access and can monitor.
It is possible to operate a D-Star radio into one of the D-Star reflectors utilised by Peanut and come out on the tablet, mobile phone or internet radio. Great for those who don’t have D-Star.
It is possible to operate via peanut to DMR users.
Irrespective of what part of the world, and provided that there is cellular coverage, it is possible to maintain communication with the Galway repeater or any other service via the Peanut App.
Perhaps we may be able to establish a net on the Galway Repeater, TG2724, and CQ-IRELAND and Peanut where ALL members of the locality can join in together with on or other of the modes listed.
To Recap the following systems will be linked together:
1) DMR via any of the Galway DMR Repeaters on TG2724
2) CQ-IRELAND via the Galway Repeater on C4FM
3) C4FM via YSF-IE (usually via a local Gateway of Hotspot)
4) Peanut
Using the YSF-IRE via Android PHone, Tablet or Windows Computer
