Moving on from Hermes-Lite

976 views
Skip to first unread message

Steve Haynal

unread,
Mar 20, 2022, 4:49:46 PM3/20/22
to Hermes-Lite
Hi Group,

After 8 years, it is time for me to move on from the Hermes-Lite project. For my health and quality of life, I need to pursue activities different from my day job; activities which don't require me to sit in front of a computer for even more hours. So my Hermes-Lite involvement is switching to maintenance mode. The group and github will still be operational, but my future contributions will be considerably diminished. This is all open source, so others can keep the project moving forward. 

I would still like to organize one group buy for the CW Keyer, as that is pretty much done. Hopefully that project will gain traction on its own.

Thank you to all the many incredible people who helped with this project and educated me on this journey.

73,

Steve
kf7o

n1ig anthony

unread,
Mar 20, 2022, 5:23:58 PM3/20/22
to Hermes-Lite
Sad to read.  Thank you for all of your work to make this project work!

Antony - N1IG

Sid Boyce

unread,
Mar 20, 2022, 5:35:02 PM3/20/22
to herme...@googlegroups.com
Very many thanks Steve,
It's been a big pleasure ride from Hermes-Lite version 1 to the present.
You have more than earned a well deserved rest.
73 ... Sid.
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "Hermes-Lite" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com.
> To view this discussion on the web visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/7b43e7f7-3b90-4115-8739-1240ace19108n%40googlegroups.com
> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/7b43e7f7-3b90-4115-8739-1240ace19108n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.


--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Senior Staff Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks

Mooneer Salem

unread,
Mar 20, 2022, 5:41:37 PM3/20/22
to Hermes-Lite
Agreed. The HL2 is the radio that got me serious about SDRs in general as well as remote operating, too, so I'm glad Steve came out with it for sure. Hopefully someone or some group of people continue that effort and release new hardware for everyone to enjoy.

-Mooneer K6AQ

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Hermes-Lite" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com.

Prabir Debnath

unread,
Mar 20, 2022, 10:15:51 PM3/20/22
to Hermes-Lite
Hi Steve,
It's been pleasure associating with Hermes-Lite project and I will always remember you who supported all queries and issues.
No contribution is fine but then don't switch of your support and maintenance 

My best wishes for your good health 

73 
Probir VU2BQF 

Graeme Jury

unread,
Mar 20, 2022, 10:35:21 PM3/20/22
to Hermes-Lite
Hi Steve,

Thanks for everything that you have done right from HL1 to HL2 which has given me more learning and pleasure over the last 10 years than the previous 50 years did. I can easily understand how you can become saturated with computing and radio/electronics and respect your decision to step back a bit. I wish you well for the future and hope that you continue to enjoy the HL2 project as an ordinary user. Those of us who went along for the ride will always remember what you have done.

73, Graeme ZL2APV

Kristofer Danner

unread,
Mar 20, 2022, 11:08:53 PM3/20/22
to Hermes-Lite
Steve,
 Thanks for your many hours of work on this project. HL2 was the first radio I bought and still the only radio I want to use.

KD

Rune Øye

unread,
Mar 21, 2022, 12:29:43 AM3/21/22
to Sid Boyce, Hermes-Lite
I have been a member of the Hermes-lite group for about 20 months and have seen the effort you have put into this project. I am impressed by all the work you have done and I fully understand your decision.
Thanks again for your effort. 

73, Rune LA7THA    

Chris Gerber

unread,
Mar 21, 2022, 1:33:05 AM3/21/22
to herme...@googlegroups.com
Hi Steve

Sorry to hear that, as you where like the face of HL2. But understand you well.
So thanks for  all help and always quick  responds and enjoy your future

Chris HB9BDM
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Hermes-Lite" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com.

Mats Sundin

unread,
Mar 21, 2022, 3:55:48 AM3/21/22
to Hermes-Lite
Steve,

I understand your decision.
Playing the lead role at work and doing the same thing at home sometimes leads to a change.
I (and many others here) appreciate your effort you put into this project.
Looking forward to the group buy of the CW-keyer, as I operates 99% CW.
Good luck in the future.

Mats SM0FPR

Christian Veith

unread,
Mar 21, 2022, 5:48:05 AM3/21/22
to Hermes-Lite
Hi Steve,

first things first. I'm very sorry to hear that.
But. i just want to give you a big THANKS for all your work done on the HL2 and the community around it.
I'm using the HL2 Build 8 since January 2020. It was my first HF rig and helped me to get around 8000 QSOs till today. And i promise, i'll enjoy it for many many years :)

I know how it is to do a day job and spent the spare time doing the same stuff at home and i fully agree that life is too short "wasting" it.

I wish you great fun with your new projects and your family.

best 73s and good DX
Christian, DL5CV

James Ahlstrom

unread,
Mar 21, 2022, 11:19:26 AM3/21/22
to Hermes-Lite
Hello Steve,

Thank you for all your work for all these years. You should be proud of what you have achieved with this  great project.

Jim
N2ADR

John Bain

unread,
Mar 21, 2022, 11:33:38 AM3/21/22
to James Ahlstrom, Hermes-Lite
Hi Steve, thanks for all you have done with hermes lite 2 and everything else that you have done for the radio community. Very Best Wishes and Very Best Regards as Always Steve. I wish you well sir, best 73 de John MM3UMZ de Caroline MM3UMY. 

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Hermes-Lite" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com.
--
John Bain

jpwa...@gmail.com

unread,
Mar 21, 2022, 12:17:10 PM3/21/22
to Hermes-Lite
Steve,

Many Thanks for all that you have done. Your contribution to the Amateur radio community rivals an olympian feat of extraordinary skills and perseverance. It has changed the hobby for so many.

I will look forward to your group buy of the CW-KEYER.

Again, my personal thanks.

..jpw J P Watters
KC9KKO
Morris, IL USA

Alan Hopper

unread,
Mar 21, 2022, 1:09:03 PM3/21/22
to Hermes-Lite
Hi Steve,
a huge thanks from me for all the time, work and thought you have put into this. It has had a profound effect on my life in many ways including giving birth to spark, making loads of new friends around the world and learning lots.  It has also played havoc with the day job and diy tasks so I fully understand your position, I wish you the very best in whatever you find to do.

73 Alan M0NNB

si...@sdr-radio.com

unread,
Mar 21, 2022, 1:58:01 PM3/21/22
to Steve Haynal, Hermes-Lite

Hi Steve,

 

I totally understand. I’ve been writing V3 (3.1) of SDR Console for over seven years, last week I put it to bed and am taking time off for the first time in at least eight years. In the end you just need a break…

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Hermes-Lite" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com.

iamda...@gmail.com

unread,
Mar 21, 2022, 2:21:46 PM3/21/22
to Hermes-Lite
Steve,

Thank you for your work and everyone that has contributed to the this project, including the end-users. Having the radios in the hands of hams and put on the air is the best form of marketing you can manage. Especially with such a solid performing rig at such an affordable price. I wish you well in your future endeavors. I have also experienced day job and hobby work convergence and it isn't always enjoyable, so I relate. Best of luck and once more, thanks to you and everyone else involved. I am happy to own and use such a solid and unique radio.

Darren 

Brad Brooks

unread,
Mar 21, 2022, 4:16:22 PM3/21/22
to Hermes-Lite
This has been great fun, and very educational Steve. You (incl. the team of enthusiasts that are regular here) advanced the art! Thanks for leading the way!

I am happy for you! Health and family will always weigh much greater than our hobby. I wish you all the best, and yes please stay in the loop as your time and priorities allow. 

73 Brad WF7T


On Sunday, March 20, 2022 at 3:49:46 PM UTC-5 softerh...@gmail.com wrote:

Heikki OH2LZI

unread,
Mar 22, 2022, 2:01:58 AM3/22/22
to Hermes-Lite
Hi all,

Mni tnx for Your immense contribution to the project ! My station setup would be completely different if HL stuff had not emerged in the past ! I was lucky to get involved from the start, i.e. the HL1 era, hopefully new generations of HL2 will be in production soon, for those not having this great gear yet !

All the best and 73 de Heikki (OH2LZI)

Glenn Holt

unread,
Mar 22, 2022, 2:22:03 AM3/22/22
to Hermes-Lite
Steve,

Thanks for all your efforts my HL2 project was a delight to build and the best I have acheived.

Regards

Glenn
G8NOF

hl3.jpg

Ted Pater

unread,
Mar 22, 2022, 2:33:39 AM3/22/22
to Hermes-Lite
Hi Steve,

Many many thanks for starting the HL SDR project,  and keep it running for eight years, and hopefully keeping your family happy.
 I jumped to your project from the HPSDR Atlas radio boards from TAPR,  sharing now the same software, and building the HL1 boards on the go.
Your amazing low cost HL project would allowed  many hams on the low budget to explore and enjoy the next level of the ham radio SDR Technology. This will not be  forgotten. 

All the best, 

73,   Ted VE7VIB

didier....@gmail.com

unread,
Mar 22, 2022, 2:55:05 AM3/22/22
to Hermes-Lite

Bonjour Steve,

Many thanks for all Steve . Your dedication and kindness is really something unique ( you are unique for sure). You are the one one who introduce me with the hermes Lite and SDR Technology few years ago with the first release of your product (Still running very well with a Class A Amplifier 5w) and later with the Hermes lite 2 which is the great and final achievement . Both Hermes still running so well and i really pamper my both Rig.
Family , life quality is also very precious and i am sure spending more time for you is obviously a great thing.
Thanks again Steve and 73s
F5npv OP Didier

PA3GSB

unread,
Mar 22, 2022, 3:45:38 AM3/22/22
to Hermes-Lite
Hey Steve,

Getting on a train and meeting each other ... now the moment comes to you are stepping out and move on taking another train! 

It was great to meet you ; as an hobbyist, i have learned very much of what is required to make a technical complex product.


I did some looking back for some events:

 11 Apr 2014 
Steve Haynal did the initial commit of the Hermes Lite

 Hereby the initial document and goal of the project:
 
 #### Project Goals
 * 0-30MHz (HF) transceiver with decent performance
 * Entirely open source and open hardware design
 * Cost of less than $150 (cost includes FPGA board) for hobbyist who build their own
 * Maintain enough compatibility with Hermes to use existing Hermes SDR front-end software with no or minor modification

This first commit started the chain of events... the HL-1 and later on the development of the HL-2.


Just before the proposal of the HL-2 i started with the Radioberry.

In the communication of launching the idea you reacted:

In v2.0, I'd prefer to stay single board computer agnostic and don't want to make a Raspberry Pi or Beagle Bone Black specific cape.

But i did not listen:

In github a first commit:  8 Aug 2015  Radioberry

Resulting in the version 1 a 2-layer board... the version 2 was having a smaller form factor by using a 4-layer board.


2 aug 2016
We discussed an Ethernet alternative!

https://groups.google.com/g/hermes-lite/c/EyuxOVKFMA4/m/gTV3eLmsDAAJ

plans to go for ft232h type interface!


By making the Juice board (2021) your remark of staying away of a specific cape is now also valid for the radioberry.



Thanks for all your valueable time and sharing the knowledge of making such nice radio!

I have enjoyed the journey! 

Hope your train is bringing you to nice places; look around and have fun!

73 Johan
PA3GSB

Op zondag 20 maart 2022 om 21:49:46 UTC+1 schreef softerh...@gmail.com:

Roger David Powers

unread,
Mar 22, 2022, 9:54:52 AM3/22/22
to Hermes-Lite, Steve Haynal
I totally understand, Steve.  I got to a similar point a few years ago where my day job and hobby overlapped too much and one had to go, it was of course the hobby.  In my case, I've now retired and so the hobbies have come back full steam.  It's so much more fun when you do what you want to do on your own schedule without the weight of other people's expectations.  I hope you find yourself in a similar position at some point in the not too distant future.

In addition to the other wonderful posts, I want to thank you for the work you did on diversity reception using HL2 and Python.  It gave me a cool real world use case to experiment with in a fun programming environment, and led me to learn many things. 

I also thank you for your guidance on all kinds of things, including using git to update the wiki.  We have left a lot of interesting information out there for others to run across in the future.  For instance it's clear Daniel Estevez (of gr-satellite and many other cool SDR projects) used the wiki to add GPSDO to his HL2 setup.

I also thank you for doing all you did to try to keep the product pipeline moving during an unprecedented supply chain crisis.  I know from many other people that this is still a huge pain point for practicing hardware developers.

I hope you find a nice balance of work, health and quality of life going forward!  I also hope our paths cross in the real world some day, it'd be nice to personally thank you and have ourselves a nice chat!

Regards,
RDP

paul chancellor

unread,
Mar 22, 2022, 10:32:19 AM3/22/22
to si...@sdr-radio.com, Steve Haynal, Hermes-Lite, paul chancellor, Allison Chancellor

Steve,

 

I will add my thanks to the many who have already thanked you.

 

As a new ham, the Hermes-Lite was my first transceiver and it continues today as my only transceiver.

 

What a great piece of equipment it is !

 

Paul

 

 

Paul D. Chancellor, Esq.

OCEAN LAW

Patent and Intellectual Property Law

694 Longpine

Eclectic, AL   36024

Tel:  805.368.4586

Fax: 805.299.4919

Email:  p...@oceanlawgroup.com

Reid Campbell

unread,
Mar 23, 2022, 5:05:24 AM3/23/22
to herme...@googlegroups.com
Hi Steve,

Just a quick note to express my gratitude to you for all the hard work you have put in, in the last 8 years. The HL2 is a tremendous product, considering you done it in your spare time, so go and have a great time on our other pursuits. 

Cheers

Reid
Gi8TME/Mi0BOT

On 20/03/2022 20:49, Steve Haynal wrote:

Eric Lund

unread,
Mar 23, 2022, 2:03:34 PM3/23/22
to Hermes-Lite
Steve,
Let me add my thanks for what you did with the HL2.  It took me about 10 minutes to become an HL2 promoter once I got my hands on one, and I remain on the bandwagon.  We all have to decide when to move on from projects, especially when they get in the way of healthy living.  I hope this group and project will remain strong in your absence and we can look forward to more HL2 goodness in the future.  In any case, you have contributed greatly to the Ham Radio community with this product of yours.  Be well!

Eric
AC0OP

stephen pearce

unread,
Mar 23, 2022, 3:09:38 PM3/23/22
to Hermes-Lite

Hi Steve

Many thanks for all your efforts .. it has given me much pleasure and learning  and I wish you well for future directions whatever they maybe.

kindest regards

Stephen zl1any

Matthew

unread,
Mar 24, 2022, 8:46:37 AM3/24/22
to Hermes-Lite
Hi Steve,

I remember well your post on the sdr-widget group back at the start of this. It doesn't seem like that was 8 years ago. Your patience, technical knowledge and leadership has been an inspiration.

I fully understand your reasoning. Over the last two years I have spent a significant period of time, sat both day and night in front of a computer screen.

I have learnt a lot, interacted with some great people and really enjoyed the Hermes-Lite project. Thank you.

73 Matthew M5EVT.

k...@khk.net

unread,
Mar 24, 2022, 9:24:51 AM3/24/22
to Hermes-Lite
Hi Steve, 

it looks like I missed the first four years. I've been part of this since 2018, and finally got my HL2 in the build7 round. Depending on what day it is, it's either my favorite radio, or my second favorite radio (I do love my KX3 equally). You can be very proud of what you created, and even though I am sad to see you step down, I am also happy for you that you realized that sometimes we just need to let go (I've been part of a few open source projects, and at least in one case, I stuck around for too long). Enjoy your time!

Karl Heinz  - K5KHK

k7ul....@gmail.com

unread,
Mar 27, 2022, 11:01:26 AM3/27/22
to Hermes-Lite
Hi Steve,

Thank you for the time and effort put into this.  I really enjoy my HL2 and and think it is a terrific piece of gear.  
I'll keep an eye out for your call on the bands and hope to see your next project.

73, Andy.

neiljw...@gmail.com

unread,
Mar 27, 2022, 4:32:51 PM3/27/22
to Hermes-Lite
Hi Steve,

Thank you so much for your time and effort over the years in getting the Hermes Lite project running.
The HL2 end result is a fantastic bit of kit and I don't know of anything else comparable on the market.
If there is I doubt I can afford it. I have 3 HL2s in regular use.

Your approach to running the project was superb, providing so much good technical input, soliciting
feedback and design input from others, making clear decisions on project direction where feature-creep
appeared or the goals of others did not fit easily with yours, supporting others building on your work but
heading in slightly different directions, working to get reliable production of the HL2.
All done with the greatest of respect.

At this stage some people might have decided to ditch the day job and move to developing products
for the amateur market, but I suspect this would be a lot more stressful and leave less time for
work on the technical (interesting) side. Not to mention the risks. I quite understand your decision
to wind down your project involvement.

I wish you all the best in your future activities and thanks again for the great HL2 journey.

73,  Neil  G4BRK

J G

unread,
Mar 31, 2022, 3:36:35 PM3/31/22
to Hermes-Lite
Steve, 

Please accept my most sincere gratitude for your many years of passionate and committed development,  as well as your kindly support (above and beyond!) for what's become my all-time favorite radio to operate. The "Hermes Manifesto, what led to this full-featured GigE-enabled noncommercial SDR becoming accessible to the average ham, is a thing of wonder IMO. The HL2 is/was the radio I'd been fantasizing about for years.

Steve, I hope you're able to explore new opportunities, spend more time with family and friends, and simply have more time to enjoy life! (I also wanted to share a personal anecdote I feel is relevant: as someone who was recently laid off from a job of 25+ years—a job I once loved, but was progressively set up to stagnate, until I ultimately only stick around on account of the excellent and, due to some health issues, necessary medical benefits—took some time off for my mental well-being, and only recently started working at new job that I love, I think I can relate to what you're going with. And I'm so glad you've made the choice to move on. 

The way HL2 project is structured, I expect it to find success well into the future. 

Wishing you all the best!
Josh K9TEA

Don [N5SKT]

unread,
Mar 31, 2022, 11:18:27 PM3/31/22
to Steve Haynal, Hermes-Lite
Steve,

So many good things to say about the project and the radio. Really appreciate the 8 years of work. I am so glad to have gotten a piece of radio history. Even with a Flexradio, I have been pitching this radio to many of my friends. But, I understand the burn out. I really don't do software when I get home. After 35 years coding, I am beyond burned out. Good luck with future endeavors. 

73 de N5SKT

On Sun, Mar 20, 2022 at 3:49 PM Steve Haynal <softerh...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Group,

After 8 years, it is time for me to move on from the Hermes-Lite project. For my health and quality of life, I need to pursue activities different from my day job; activities which don't require me to sit in front of a computer for even more hours. So my Hermes-Lite involvement is switching to maintenance mode. The group and github will still be operational, but my future contributions will be considerably diminished. This is all open source, so others can keep the project moving forward. 

I would still like to organize one group buy for the CW Keyer, as that is pretty much done. Hopefully that project will gain traction on its own.

Thank you to all the many incredible people who helped with this project and educated me on this journey.

73,

Steve
kf7o

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Hermes-Lite" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/7b43e7f7-3b90-4115-8739-1240ace19108n%40googlegroups.com.


--
Best Regards,
Don - N5SKT

Steve Haynal

unread,
May 14, 2022, 1:39:00 AM5/14/22
to Hermes-Lite
Hi Group,

Thank you all for the kind words, both on this group and in private.

73,

Steve
kf7o

Sid Boyce

unread,
May 16, 2022, 8:54:42 PM5/16/22
to Glenn Holt, Hermes-Lite
Hi Glenn,
Heard you on the air earlier in the week using HL2.
The callsign rang a bell and I looked back through the posts.
Excellent setup, very neat.
I am curious to know what is included in that enclosure.
73 ... Sid.
PS:- I am In Halesowen.
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "Hermes-Lite" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com.
> To view this discussion on the web visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/6f01db46-adc7-4e09-9e23-395ebc13d04cn%40googlegroups.com
> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/6f01db46-adc7-4e09-9e23-395ebc13d04cn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.


--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Senior Staff Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks

n1ig anthony

unread,
Aug 24, 2022, 1:47:20 PM8/24/22
to Hermes-Lite
Steve,

I know that you have moved on from HL2 development, but are you still providing repair assistance?

I just received and assembled a HL2 yesterday from MakerFabs, and it is just not working.  I can connect to it both via network & direct to my laptop, but it is not providing any audio, board temp info, or MAC address, and does not appear to respond to any commands like TX or frequency change.

I have tried MacOS and Win10 and have the same results.

Anthony - N1IG
Screen Shot 2022-08-24 at 11.21.55 AM.png
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages