UI / User Guide

Getting Started

Installation

Desktop Apps (Station, Relay Station, Radio Listener)

1. Download the latest release from the Distribution Program
2. For macOS: Drag IFM Station.dmg to Applications
3. For Windows: Run IFM Station.msi installer
4. For Linux: Use IFM Radio Listener.AppImage or install via package manager

Mobile (PWA)

1. Open https://ifm.sh/pwa in iOS Safari or Android Chrome
2. Tap Share → Add to Home Screen (iOS) or Install app (Android)
3. Launch from home screen for full-screen radio interface

First-Time Setup

1. The app will automatically discover nearby frequencies
2. Tap the frequency display to tune using the numeric keypad
3. Tap a station card to start listening
4. Use the chat input to send messages to the station

Using the Apps

Station (Broadcaster)

Starting a Broadcast

1. Open IFM Station
2. Go to the Control tab
3. Select your audio source (Mic, Desktop, File, or Tab)
4. Adjust the mixer levels (EQ, compression, VAD)
5. Tap Start Broadcast on the desired frequency
6. The station will begin broadcasting across the mesh

Managing Frequencies

• Tune: Tap the frequency display and enter a new frequency
• Save: Tap the star icon to save a frequency to favorites
• Scan: Use the scan function to discover available frequencies

Relay Station (Operator)

Starting the Relay

1. Open IFM Relay Station
2. The dashboard will show the relay pool status
3. Tap Start Relay to join the shared pool
4. The dashboard will show stations connected through your relay

Monitoring

• Sessions panel: Shows connected stations and listeners
• Frequencies panel: Shows active frequencies and traffic
• Traffic panel: Shows packets-by-type and bandwidth

Radio Listener (Listener)

Tuning to a Frequency

1. Open IFM Radio Listener
2. Tap the frequency display
3. Enter a frequency (e.g., 91.700)
4. Tap Tune to connect
5. Audio will begin playing automatically

Features

• Live indicator: Shows when audio is actively streaming
• Mute: Tap to mute/unmute
• Background playback: Audio continues when screen is locked
• Chat: Send messages to everyone on the frequency
• File receive: Receive download links from the station

PWA (Mobile)

Same features as the Radio Listener, optimized for mobile with:

• Touch-first UI (48px minimum touch targets)
• Home screen installation
• Background audio when locked
• Push notifications for station events

Distribution Program

Download the latest released versions of IFM desktop apps directly:

Platform	macOS (ARM64)	Windows	Linux
Station	IFM Station.dmg	IFM Station.msi	IFM Station.AppImage
Relay Station	IFM Relay Station.dmg	IFM Relay Station.msi	IFM Relay Station.AppImage
Radio Listener	IFM Radio Listener.dmg	IFM Radio Listener.msi	IFM Radio Listener.AppImage

Download links are available at the top of this documentation.

Settings

Configuration Options

• Rendezvous: Connect to a remote rendezvous node or run in LAN mode
• Audio: Input device selection, microphone gain, noise suppression
• Display: Theme (dark/light), font size, compact/complete layout
• Notifications: Push notification preferences, event alerts
• Advanced: Jitter buffer size, packet loss concealment, codec preferences

Resetting Configuration

If the app behaves unexpectedly, you can reset all settings to defaults:

1. Go to Settings → Advanced
2. Tap Reset Configuration
3. Restart the app

Keyboard Shortcuts (Desktop)

Shortcut	Action
← / →	Nudge frequency up/down (1 kHz)
↑ / ↓	Nudge frequency up/down (10 kHz)
Home	Jump to lower band edge (87.500 MHz)
End	Jump to upper band edge (108.000 MHz)
Space	Toggle play/pause (if playing)
M	Toggle mute
F	Focus frequency display

FAQ

Q: Why can't I tune to a frequency?
A: Frequencies are categorized as public, protected, or hidden. Protected frequencies require a shared access code. Hidden frequencies are invite-only and not advertised.

Q: Audio is choppy or disconnects frequently.
A: This is usually due to network instability. Try: increasing the jitter buffer (Settings → Advanced), using a wired connection, or moving closer to the router.

Q: How do I join a private broadcast?
A: Obtain the access code from the station operator. Enter it when prompted during tune, or configure it in Settings → Audio → Access Codes.

Q: Can I use IFM on multiple devices?
A: Each device runs its own node with its own identity. You can tune the same frequency on multiple devices, but each connection is independent.

Q: Is IFM free to use?
A: Yes, IFM is free and open-source. No accounts, no subscriptions, no fees. Identity is cryptographic and anonymous.