Problem with new HL2 build

[n1ig anthony]

This is the 3rd HL2 I have built, and the first one I have run in to a problem with.

The HL2 powers up and sends it's IP to the MacBook, but when I connect to it using SparkSDR, there is no audio and no indication of it receiving RF.

I am at a loss at how to fix this.  

Any suggestions?

Anthony - N1IG

[k7ul....@gmail.com]

Is that IP address correct?

[n1ig anthony]

for a direct connection, it is what the HL2 provides to the laptop.

I have also connected through my LAN and received an appropriate IP address (192.168.1.221).   Still no control of the HL2 though...

Anthony - N1IG

[Graham Knox]

Have you tried reloading reloading the gateware using Sparksdr, just a thought!

[n1ig anthony]

Yes,I tried reloading the gateway using Spark, but it didn't appear to take.  I also tried resetting the HL2 via the KEY/PTT, and that didn't seem to do anything either.

In Spark I can increase/decrease the frequency on the screen, but don't hear the relays clicking as it changes.  No PTT either.

confused... 

[ron.ni...@gmail.com]

Debugging tips:

What do the LEDs do when you power up the HL2?  (In what sequence do the come on during power up, and what it the final result?)

What IP address, MAC address and gateware version number do you get for the HL2?

Don't assume the IP address is correct.  Instead check it.

Does that IP address respond if you ping it?  If so, what is the ping latency?

Have you tried running the hermeslite.py utility to see what it reports regarding the HL2?

If you have more than one HL2, make sure they do not have the same MAC address (e.g. change the MAC address of your working HL2).

73,

Ron

n6ywu

[n1ig anthony]

What do the LEDs do when you power up the HL2?  (In what sequence do the come on during power up, and what it the final result?)

Connected to the LAN first "RUN" flashes.  Then "SPD" lights solid, then "IP" lights solid.  Stays that way until I connect with SparkSDR.  When connected "RUN"  stays solid.

What IP address, MAC address and gateware version number do you get for the HL2?

My Router reports IP/MAC as 192.168.1.221 and 00:1C:C0:A2:13:DD.  

SparkSDR reports IP as 192.168.1.221 and I do not see a location for MAC address.

Don't assume the IP address is correct.  Instead check it.

Checked on the Router and matches what is said on SparkSDR.

Does that IP address respond if you ping it?  If so, what is the ping latency?

PING 192.168.1.221 (192.168.1.221): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 192.168.1.221: icmp_seq=0 ttl=128 time=3.149 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.221: icmp_seq=1 ttl=128 time=3.659 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.221: icmp_seq=2 ttl=128 time=3.539 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.221: icmp_seq=3 ttl=128 time=3.550 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.221: icmp_seq=4 ttl=128 time=3.506 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.221: icmp_seq=5 ttl=128 time=3.311 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.221: icmp_seq=6 ttl=128 time=3.542 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.221: icmp_seq=7 ttl=128 time=3.497 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.221: icmp_seq=8 ttl=128 time=3.656 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.221: icmp_seq=9 ttl=128 time=3.828 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.221: icmp_seq=10 ttl=128 time=3.577 ms

Have you tried running the hermeslite.py utility to see what it reports regarding the HL2?

Haven't used that and not familiar with python.  Might be above my ability without some tutoring.

If you have more than one HL2, make sure they do not have the same MAC address (e.g. change the MAC address of your working HL2).

Only have the one HL2 at this point.  Gave one to my nephew and sold the other one (mistake 😢)

[Vince Vielhaber]

Do you have it in the case with the filter board? If you do, pull it
outta the case, don't connect the filter board and see how it acts then.

Vince - K8ZW.

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[n1ig anthony]

I pulled it out of the case and removed the filter board.  Same result.  

[n1ig anthony]

Almost forgot, SparkSDR is also reporting:

Firmware Version 73

Firmware Patch 2

Board ID 5

[n1ig anthony]

Tried loading python and running hermeslite.py downloaded from GitHub.  Got this result

Last login: Wed Aug 24 20:18:31 on ttys000
cd '/Users/anthonycrook/' && '/usr/local/bin/python3'  '/Users/anthonycrook/hermeslite.py'  && echo Exit status: $? && exit 1
anthonycrook@Anthonys-MBP ~ % cd '/Users/anthonycrook/' && '/usr/local/bin/python3'  '/Users/anthonycrook/hermeslite.py'  && echo Exit status: $? && exit 1
  File "/Users/anthonycrook/hermeslite.py", line 67
    <title>Hermes-Lite2/hermeslite.py at master · softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2 · GitHub</title>
                                                ^
SyntaxError: invalid character '·' (U+00B7)
anthonycrook@Anthonys-MBP ~ % 

[ron.ni...@gmail.com]

If you are getting the firmware version, it looks like the FPGA is responding correctly.

Did you select HL2 in the SparkSDR filter settings?

Ron, n6ywu

[n1ig anthony]

Yes, I have tried all three versions of the N2ADR filter settings, and none of them worked.

[Clifford Heath]

On 25 Aug 2022, at 10:23 am, n1ig anthony <n1ig.a...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Tried loading python and running hermeslite.py downloaded from GitHub. Got this result
> Last login: Wed Aug 24 20:18:31 on ttys000
> cd '/Users/anthonycrook/' && '/usr/local/bin/python3' '/Users/anthonycrook/hermeslite.py' && echo Exit status: $? && exit 1
> anthonycrook@Anthonys-MBP ~ % cd '/Users/anthonycrook/' && '/usr/local/bin/python3' '/Users/anthonycrook/hermeslite.py' && echo Exit status: $? && exit 1
> File "/Users/anthonycrook/hermeslite.py", line 67
> <title>Hermes-Lite2/hermeslite.py at master · softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2 · GitHub</title>
> ^
> SyntaxError: invalid character '·' (U+00B7)
> anthonycrook@Anthonys-MBP ~ %

That syntax error says that you saved the Github HTML page for hermeslite.py, and not the python file itself.
Look up to the top-right of the banner above the file contents display for a button labelled "Raw" and download from that link.

Clifford Heath

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Anthony,

You didn't mention if the HW status LED (D5) is on or off during idle mode:

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/External-Connections#onboard-leds-d2-d3-d4-d5

If off, it indicates a problem with the AD9866 clock. Check that there is a valid clock on the output of the X2 oscillator. 

Similar issues have been discussed in this group in the past. Please search through past posts to find help. The web interface provides a search feature:

https://groups.google.com/g/hermes-lite

For example, see this thread:

https://groups.google.com/g/hermes-lite/c/VLGdLDWS3Ic/m/MrrVDJYqBwAJ

73,

Steve

kf7o

[n1ig anthony]

Steve,

D5 (100/HW) is off the entire time.

I pressed down lightly on X2 and there was no change.  

I do not have a scope, and did not measure any voltage at that point on X2.

X2 is pretty small and looks a bit different on my board (pic1), than in the pic in the link you provided.   It'd be beyond my ability to replace or touch up the soldering on it.

I measured 1.6v at the pad indicated in the attached pic2.

I measured 0.62v at the small via shown in pic3.

Anthony - N1IG

[Clifford Heath]

Perhaps without an oscilloscope you could still pick up the master clock on a shortwave radio receiver?

Mine hasn't arrived yet (maybe tomorrow) so I don't know what frequency to look for.

Clifford Heath 

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[n1ig anthony]

Great idea (I think)

According to https://groups.google.com/g/hermes-lite/c/VLGdLDWS3Ic/m/MrrVDJYqBwAJ 

"The first should be 38.4MHz. The second and third should be 76.8MHz."

I checked both freqs and get a signal when the HL2 is powered up.  Goes away when power is removed.

Anthony - N1IG

[brhl...@gmail.com]

@anthony

Maybe this is helpful with python:

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Address-Management-Python

[n1ig anthony]

I decided to try putting a bit of pressure on X2 again, and it will make D5 lite up if a good amount of downward pressure is put on it.  When pressure is place on X2 audio will come over SparkSDR.

I don't feel comfortable going much further, as the top of X2 is starting to get scratched.  And taking a soldering iron to it is well beyond what I think I can do myself.

Anthony - N1IG

[n1ig anthony]

And of course after putting pressure on X2, now I can no longer hear a steady signal on 38.4 or 76.8.

 

When applying power I hear a chirp on 38.4, and nothing on 76.8.

I may have to just send it back to MakerFabs.

Anthony - N1IG

[n1ig anthony]

Thank you to everyone who provided help in diagnosing the issue.  

MakerFabs said they would take the unit back and issue a refund, so I've sent the HL2 & N2ADR boards back.   

Since I had already drilled the hole to the heat shim, I am going to keep the enclosure.  Hopefully they will have another production run in the near future.  

Anthony - N1IG

[Jiri Culak]

That is the shame. I am know you have another units arouned, but I would say it will be either the X2 itself or just just a simple reflow would help. 

There is nice USB Soldering Iron on Aliexpress / Ebay with veeery tiny TIP and as its battery / powerbank powerred it can be used on ESD Sensitive stuff.

Perhaps you could just ask MakerFabs to reflow it for you. I am using my HL2 for about 2-3 days now and even setup SDR Console remotely (just by port forward) and worked some FT8 qso....the few watts aint enough for SSB and CW isnt that good in SDR Console lol. 

Anyway, sorry to hear about the faults and nice job re - diagnostics without proper equippment!!

73

Jiri OK2IT

Dne čtvrtek 25. srpna 2022 v 16:59:44 UTC+2 uživatel n1ig anthony napsal:

[radi...@mail.com]

Hi Jiri

Sorry, slightly OT, but interested to know why you feel CW "isn't that good" in SDRC? Yes, no full break-in it's true but I've used it up to 30 WPM, semi break-in fully configurable with SDRC generated sidetone and find it works very well. Just intrigued to know what is it that you find does not work well?

73

Max

On Friday, 26 August 2022 at 07:51:47 UTC+1 m0i...@gmail.com wrote:

 

setup SDR Console remotely (just by port forward) and worked some FT8 qso....the few watts aint enough for SSB and CW isnt that good in SDR Console lol. 

73

Jiri OK2IT