Hermes lite 2 and external PA

865 views
Skip to first unread message

Pentti Pärnänen

unread,
May 29, 2024, 12:30:10 PM5/29/24
to Hermes-Lite
Hi 


One word of caution here:

You need to install a relay buffer interface between the HL2 keying relay (EXTR) and the amplifier, to protect the HL2 from the transients that the relays in the amplifier generate when keyed. I use a RBI-1A by HamGadgets.com for that purpose. It comes with the appropriate prewired cables.

Is this true?

In other words, are you using relay between HL2 and PA?

Heath Petty

unread,
May 29, 2024, 2:33:03 PM5/29/24
to Hermes-Lite
I have two of those PTT interfaces, and they work very well. They also provide some piece of mind and protection for the radio. I have used the EXTR port to directly PTT a few different amps, and they have all worked fine. I have seen some reports about issues with the PTT circuit on the mailing list, so its not a bad idea to use one, especially with an amp like the XPA125B (The QC is always suspect on xiegu radios). I have mainly used my RBI-1A interfaces with my IC-705. So my answer is its not required, but its also a good idea to help protect the radio.

Heath

Mike Serino

unread,
May 29, 2024, 6:50:41 PM5/29/24
to Heath Petty, Hermes-Lite

I have a similar problem with my Hermes and Neptune amp ptt tied to my Ameritron AL 811h. After it keys up something hangs up in the 811h where I get a low signal strength back to Hermes even though the transmit relay releases. When I disconnect the PTT, power off the amp, or switch the amp to standby, the 811h releases the signal to normal. I will be buying a RB1-1A relay buffer to fix this.

Mike KN6MS

--
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/0e285440-a371-4fff-882a-75222e276d46n%40googlegroups.com.

Pentti Pärnänen

unread,
May 30, 2024, 1:16:41 PM5/30/24
to Hermes-Lite
Hi

Thanks for the answers. I think I'll go with this solution, since RBI-1A i a bit pricey:

I'm going to use my RF2K-S amp with attenuator changed from 10db -> 3db, in order to avoid chaining 2 PA's in series.
Wish me luck :)

Pena OH6PP
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages