Hermes-Lite 2.0 Getting Started

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

I've updated and reorganized the wiki a bit so that there is a Hermes-Lite 2.0 Getting Started page. This covers what needs to be done to get a preassembled HL2 board on the air. It includes links to videos. As always, you are encouraged to update and add to this wiki page or other wiki pages. 

73,

Steve

KF7O

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

For those bringing up a Hermes-Lite 2.0, please remember the Hermes-Lite 2.0 Getting Started wiki page. This is where we collect group knowledge to make it easier for people to bring their HL2 to life. All that is needed to contribute to the wiki is a free github account and an internet browser. Please help others by documenting what you learn and what was helpful as you finish your HL2.

I've received several questions about an enclosure. There is a section on the wiki about the recommended enclosure: https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Hermes-Lite-2.0-Getting-Started#enclosure

When I enter the model number or details listed on that wiki page into Google, e-bay or ali express, I still see many hits. Are others having difficulty finding an enclosure?

Please note that an enclosure is only needed for proper thermal dissipation during TX. You can come up with other ways to dissipate TX heat. 

Also, you do not need to dissipate any heat and can use the board as is for RX only. One of the first things I do with a new HL2 is stick a wire connected to my antenna in the center hole for footprint RF3 and start receiving. No other components (relays, sma connectors, etc.) are required! I just added a picture to the Hermes-Lite 2.0 Getting Started wiki page.

73,

Steve

KF7O

[Jim Smith]

Hi Steve, 

Have the H-L 2.0 running in rx mode with just a wire through the centre hole of RF3, been running Spark, wspr on three bands, and Quisk. 

Couple of (minor) glitches though: 

1. Have not managed to get it running with a direct LAN cable connection between the H-L and the PC.  Works fine with the H-L connected to a router via wi-fi.  When it's directly connected a network address of 169.254.37.109 shows up in ipconfig /all (Windows 10).  When I put this address into Quisk though it doesn't connect.  I did read a thread in the main forum on this, but don't think it was resolved.  Your program and test, and retest apps have a direct LAN connection to the PC and run Quisk, so it should be possible. 

2. Tried to run the Retest app on an old Raspberry Pi.  Loaded the OS okay, but the app produced a bunch of errors starting with "Debug: Failed to connect to session manager: SESSION_MANAGER environment variable not defined".  The Quisk screen does open, and connects to the H-L on 169.254.37.109, but then just hangs.  Is there something I can tweak to set up the session manager environment variable?  (Or is that a red herring?)

3. Then tried to run Retest on a Raspberry Pi 3B+ (thought it was compatible with the 3B), got a very colourful screen before it aborted - didn't load the OS. 

Just wondered if anyone else has had anything similar, or is it finger (brain) trouble here? 

73

Jim - G3ZQC

On 28 April 2018 at 18:32, Steve Haynal <softerh...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Group,

For those bringing up a Hermes-Lite 2.0, please remember the Hermes-Lite 2.0 Getting Started wiki page. This is where we collect group knowledge to make it easier for people to bring their HL2 to life. All that is needed to contribute to the wiki is a free github account and an internet browser. Please help others by documenting what you learn and what was helpful as you finish your HL2.

I've received several questions about an enclosure. There is a section on the wiki about the recommended enclosure: https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Hermes-Lite-2.0-Getting-Started#enclosure

When I enter the model number or details listed on that wiki page into Google, e-bay or ali express, I still see many hits. Are others having difficulty finding an enclosure?

Please note that an enclosure is only needed for proper thermal dissipation during TX. You can come up with other ways to dissipate TX heat. 

Also, you do not need to dissipate any heat and can use the board as is for RX only. One of the first things I do with a new HL2 is stick a wire connected to my antenna in the center hole for footprint RF3 and start receiving. No other components (relays, sma connectors, etc.) are required! I just added a picture to the Hermes-Lite 2.0 Getting Started wiki page.

73,

Steve

KF7O

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[James Ahlstrom]

Hello Jim,

On Friday, May 4, 2018 at 4:22:19 AM UTC-4, Jim Smith wrote:

1. Have not managed to get it running with a direct LAN cable connection between the H-L and the PC.  Works fine with the H-L connected to a router via wi-fi.  When it's directly connected a network address of 169.254.37.109 shows up

This IP address indicates that your HL2 is not able to get an IP address from DHCP. That is normal for a direct connection to the PC since there is no DHCP server. The 169.254 address may still work. It depends on the network setting in your PC. Try waiting for a while after power on before starting Quisk.

Jim

N2ADR 

[Jack Generaux]

On a previous post Steve mentioned disabling APIPA for testing by the assembly house.  I wonder if it has been re-enabled.  Also begs a question from me whether using AVAHI under Linux will allow Quisk to recognize a direct connection to the H2.  In the past, I have always recompiled with a static address.  I am going to explore this further this morning on my machines.  I need the direct connection for the embedded devices (Tinkerboard/Odroid C2/Raspberry Pi) I use to control the H2s.

73,
Jack (W0FNQ)

[James Ahlstrom]

Hello Jack,

If Quisk displays the 169.254 address in the heading, it will use that address. But Linux may refuse to use it. You may need to edit the Linux routing table. Please let us know what you find out.

Jim

N2ADR

[Jack Generaux]

Jim,

I was able to get it to work with my Tinkerboard.  I had to give my Tinkerboard a static address (192.168.1.108 with a net of 255.255.0.0) then when I run Quisk, the HL2 is found at 192.168.22.248.  All appears to be working normally.  I don't know enough about avahi to understand why the normal 255.255.255.0 subnet doesn't work or perhaps something in the HL2 network code?

73,
Jack (W0FNQ)

On Friday, May 4, 2018 at 11:55:55 AM UTC-5, James Ahlstrom wrote:

Hello Jack,

If Quisk displays the 169.254 address in the heading, it will use that address. But Linux may refuse to use it. You may need to edit the Linux routing table. Please let us know what you find out.give my Tinkerboard a

Jim

N2ADR

[Josh Logan]

It's all about subnets...  With the initial subnet/IP setting netmask 255.255.255.0 you host was not on the same network as the hermes-lite.  It was sending the traffic to a router, or did not know where to send it.  

One way of looking at the subnet change, while not technically correct, but close enough.  The first check was only checking 255 hosts.  With the subnet changed to 255.255.0.0 it was checking 65534 hosts.  This also implies the subnet mask on the hermes-list is also 255.255.0.0.

I looked in the code but did not see the subnet setting but did see the IP being set (line 85):

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/blob/master/firmware/rtl/ethernet/network.v 

73, Josh

KD7HGL

--

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Jack,

Yes, the December 2017 firmware had an incorrect APIPA address. This was fixed in the early January 2018 release. Doesn't AVAHI still require an IP to be assigned?

This direct connection from host to hl2 has come up many times now. We need a good solution and then document it on the wiki. In the past, I've always just built my own firmware with a static IP. I think going forward once we make more use of the onbord eeproms, we can he the option for the user to assign a static IP stored in the eeprom.

73,

Steve

KF7O

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Jim,

My program and test uses a special Raspberry Pi image with the DHCP server enabled. This was not an out of the box configuration and I had to tweak the DHCP server to make it work well. Part of the test is to test that the HL2 can obtain an IP via DHCP. One option for direct connection to a host is to run a DHCP server on the host, but again this can require some networking experience and expertise to get right.

The IP entered into Quisk is to force assign an IP to an openhpsdr protocol radio. The functionality is not yet enabled in the HL2.

For 2, on my RPI image the HL2 will be assigned an IP address in the local subnet so you should not see the 169.*.*.* address. Are you running the same program but on another RPI? If so, you need to enable and configure the DHCP server.

For 3, I have only tested the RPI image on the specific model linked to on the wiki. It could very well not work with other RPI models.

73,

Steve

KF7O

[Jack Generaux]

Steve, et.al.,

I am focused on getting my embedded devices talking with the HL2.  So far I have tried various options such as editing the routing tables or graphical network management interfaces to include a 169.254 default.  The only thing working so far is to assign a static IP to my Tinkerboard Xenial machine. Quisk will then recognize a direct connection with my Beta5 (unmodified firmware) and my Beta2 (static address in the firmware.)  I gave my Tinkerboard a static address (192.168.1.81  with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0), the Beta5 is found at 192.168.22.248.  The Beta2 (static address) is also found at its firmware address (192.168.1.111.)

While this kludge works, a better more general solution not requiring assigning a static address to the host is preferred.  I am not sure what AVAHI is capable of in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing, but its supposed to be at least equivalent to APIPA.  From what I read about Link-Local connections, like APAPI, if the daemon doesn't find a DHCP served address it is supposed to fall back to the 169.254.0.0/16 default.  So far I haven't been able to make that work. I have confirmed that the AVAHI deamon is running, but haven't found out why it won't play with Quisk.

73,
Jack (W0FNQ)

[James Ahlstrom]

Hello Jack,

First try pinging the HL2. It should answer the ping.

I don't think AVAHI or APIPA have anything to do with it. Quisk discovers the HL2 by sending a broadcast packet. If broadcast fails, it won't find the HL2. Try a WireShark trace to see what is happening.

Jim

N2ADR

[Jim Smith]

Hi Steve, 

Thanks for setting me straight. 

Downloaded a program called Tftp64d to my desktop (Windows 10) PC, installed and configured it, and can now run the H-L 2 directly connected to the PC via an ethernet cable.  (So it's possible with little networking experience and no expertise☺.) 

2. Was your rpihl2test_20180422 image, but running on an old version of the Rasp Pi, so where that 169.*.*.* address came from is beyond me.  I haven't investigated further. 

Thanks again, 

73

Jim - G3ZQC

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Jim,

Interesting to hear of your use of tftp64d. Will keep that in mind.

73,

Steve

KF7O

[Robert Nickels]

Just a quick comment to report that my H-L 2.0 came up and running right
out of the bag, using Spark SDR software for receive.  Now to add the
transmit parts and build Jim's filter board.     Thanks to all
contributors, especially Steve, for the efforts that have brought the
project to this point!

73, Bob W9RAN

[Jack Generaux]

I just finished Jim's filter board and now playing with the software on my Beta5 build.  I get 5 Watts plus on 160 through 10.  I made a few FT8 contacts this morning with Quisk and WSJTx(Linux) -- one on SparkSDR(Windows10 -- waiting with baited breath for a Linux version).  I do notice that in the Digital modes, Quisk appears to throttle the power level even though I pushed the maximum slider positions on the main screen and in the configuration menu.  I appreciate that this may be appropriate to maintain linearity, but wonder if it is necessary for the HL2.
 
On the SparkSDR side, I finally figured out the filter settings after and bit of experimentation (glad Jim put those test points on the board to check filter selection)  But I am not seeing the settings saved and had to reenter them after restarting.  Also, have to always select using the PA upon startup each time.  Am I missing a save configuration setting somewhere?  I am using the Beta release.  I like what I am seeing.

Thanks and 73,

Jack (W0FNQ)

On Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 5:45:57 PM UTC-6, Steve Haynal wrote:

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Jack,

I have not seen Quisk throttle FT8 power. Do your settings match what is shown in this YouTube video: https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Hermes-Lite-2.0-Getting-Started#quisk-setup

With the output at 100% in the WSJT-X window, I actually see some distortion. I run this 2 or 3 clicks lower. You can see the distortion show up in FDX if you monitor your tune signal.

What are you mixer level settings for this particular sound channel? Are they at 100%?

Also, please check these items:

1. Slider "Digital Tx level" in config screen set to 100%. 

2. Entry box "Digital Tx power %" in your Radio Hardware screen set to 100%.

3. Digital Input and Output audio devices in the Radio/Sound screen (not top level sound config, but under a radio configuration) set to valid audio devices.

4. Tx Level set to the full 100% for all bands in the Radio/Band screen.

73,

Steve

KF7O

[Jack Generaux]

Steve,

On the Linux side, I am using the Quisk loopback devices -- Digital Input to pulse:QuiskDigitalInput.monitor, and Digital Output to pulse:QuiskDigitalOutput.  I did not explore PAVUcontrol to see if it has sliders.  On the Windows side, I use a VAC program.  I'll double check the levels but think they are at max.  Also, will explore the distortion question tonight, after the strawberry shortcake settles, or tomorrow.  Thanks

Jack

[Jack Generaux]

Well,

After reboot,  I am getting full power in Quisk/WSJT-X -- didn't change anything.  In FDX display, backing off to 5 watts from almost 7 helps distortion.  The only thing I am seeing now is the Quisk power reading doesn't agree with my Byrd wattmeter; I will check this further another day.

Thanks again

Jack

On Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 5:45:57 PM UTC-6, Steve Haynal wrote:

[Alan Hopper]

Hi Jack,

I just tested Spark 1.0b6 and the settings are saved for me, they should save automatically when you exit the program.  The pa enable is not saved at the moment,I'll add it in the next release. It is possible your settings file is corrupted, you could try deleting it, it is the file beginning with the mac no of the radio in the c:\users\##your name##\ appdata\roaming\m0nnb\sparksdr\settings folder.

If you could send me a screen shot of the filter settings or your settings file if you get it to save, I'll make it the default in the next release.

73 Alan M0NNB

[Jack Generaux]

Alan,

Gremlins were working overtime yesteday.  When I opened up SparkSDR today, my settings were in fact save.  Here is the screenshot,

73, 

Jack (W0FNQ)

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Jack,

It sounds as if you ran into the illusive bug where the HL2 powers up and can't be set to full power. That reset is reworked in my current RTL so hopefully it will go away with the next firmware release.

I have also seen some times when the Quisk power reading doesn't agree with what I'd expect. I haven't tracked this down, but would appreciate learning any findings you make.

73,

Steve

KF7O

[Robert Nickels]

Sort of an odd thing happened today.   I've had my HL 2.0 on for several
days, receive only, but tonight when I tuned around 40 and 80 meters I
noticed the sidebands were inverted.   Power cycling the H-L board
corrected whatever had flipped I and Q but I haven't seen this before.

73, Bob W9RAN

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Bob,

This is odd. I've never seen or heard of that before. Please let me know if you are able to reproduce this.

73,

Steve

KF7O