Hermes Lite on CW

[gil pita]

So finally decided to get a Hermes Lite 2, basically just want to experiment with it a bit. I am mostly a CW op, occasional SSB.

My question, how is this on CW? Latency etc? Would be better off getting the  HL2+ board for CW operations?

[Robert Benedict]

I think so and did. In addition to latency there is no keyer in the bare HL2. I use mine  with a headset and paddle plugged directly into HL2 with companion.

BTW - Thetis has both an APF and "spot" which auto centers the signal. You can also choose in multimeters a small spectrum window that just displays the filter width that makes precise  tuning easy if you don't want to use spot.

It's not QSK, but everything else is pretty good.

   Bob  KD8CGH

[Josh Lambert Hurley]

Works perfectly on CW, don’t need a +board, just have a splitter so can choose mic or key.  No latency issues my end. 

[gil pita]

I don’t need the plus board, Just plug into the PTT KEY? But then if there is no keyer, how do you listen to what is being sent?

[DL1YCF]

You have to let the keyer produce a side tone and then mix it with the RX audio
on its way to your headphone.

The „CW Keyer Shield“ does even more than that.

> --
> 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 visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/99dde0dc-2057-46bf-9a5e-735dfadc2ee0n%40googlegroups.com.

[gil pita]

Can an electronic keyer be plugged into the PTT KEY input?

[Max]

Best to see the Wiki here. Explains all. Yes, you can plug a keyer in to the key/ptt socket. For zero latency you need to use a local sidetone driven by the keyer.

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/External-Connections#key-ptt

Some software has built in sidetone which is low (bit not totally zero) latency. One such software is the excellent SDR Console from Simon Brown:

https://www.sdr-radio.com/hermes-lite-2

The the SDRC sidetone latency is perfectly OK for speeds up to around 25-30 wpm.

SDRs do not generally lend themselves to full QSK. That's nothing unique to the HL2, but fast semi break-in is perfectly fine.

As explained by DL1YCF the CW Keyer Shield was effectively a near perfect solution (and to operation over a remote network generally) but I think maybe as a generally available kit/project it may have stalled? Excuse me Chris if I am wrong. Not been on here for a while.

https://github.com/softerhardware/CWKeyer

Max

[Robert Benedict]

I'll ask if commenters have actually used a companion board as well as the separate keyer. I have used both. I built an original keyer and then  bought new hardware and made another when the design changed. I got it working, but I found it was a pain to use.

If you go down the companion board route you buy an assembled board and install it in the HL2. You can plug your headphone, mic and paddle into the HL2. Thetis fully controls it over the Ethernet cable including keyboard CW and macros.

If you go the standalone box route you have to decide on a variant, build it from scratch, program the Teensy  and then install the Ctrlr MIDI controller app or configure your chosen software for it. You then have another box and two extra cables on your desktop that you plug your headphone, mic and paddle into.

If remote operating is important to you, then the separate MIDI keyer box makes sense. If not, the companion board is a great solution.

BTW -  the Anan, FLEX, KX2, KX3, K4, sBitx, zBitx and QMX  SDRs all have QSK. I don't see any reason that QSK is any more or less difficult in an SDR. It's just a design decision.

   Bob  KD8CGH

["Christoph v. Wüllen"]

You do not need a "fancy" keyer. A standard keyer plus mixing its
sidetone with the RX output will do, and this is VERY easy.
The output of the standard keyer is then connected to the PTT/KEY jack.

> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/79a7eaf3-ba30-4a3e-b11c-102e1dda53b7n%40googlegroups.com.

[Geir T. Christiansen]

Without the companionboard no electronic keyer or sidetone. You will need to use a hand key or an external keyer/sidetone. My HL2+ and Thetis makes a great CW rig. The APF is really great. And being able to zoom in at your operating freq and tweak bandpass curtains to exclude qrm.  73s Geir/LA5ZO

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/11E8D8D0-B8C7-4093-9B76-672928A959D8%40darc.de.

[Robert Benedict]

gil

  Another source for HL2 info  is the Hermes Lite 2 Facebook group.

  No matter what course you take, you'll enjoy your HL2.

     73

      Bob  KD8CGH

[Steve Haynal]

Hi All,

I have used the AK4951 companion board. In my opinion, it is not worth it. People like it for two reasons: direct monitoring and integration. 

Regarding direct monitoring, there is no audio produced in the HL2. This is a software defined radio. All audio is generated by the host computer. In the case of the AK4951 companion board, the audio is sent from the host software back to this "sound card" embedded in the HL2. Antenna to receive audio latency is not bypassed or improved. The AK4951 supports direct monitoring so you will hear your microphone audio or CW sidetone mixed in with no noticeable latency. There is still the antenna to rx audio latency, but microphone/sidetone latency is not noticeable. If you like that, just get a better sound card which multiple inputs that supports direct monitoring. Plug you preferred keyer audio out into a sound card input, enable direct monitoring, and you have the same thing. The same is true for a microphone.

Regarding integration, the HL2 is inherently modular because that is what I like. A modular setup forces you to learn more and provides flexibility. Buy a good sound card with direct monitoring which you can then use for other purposes, not just the HL2. The same goes for a keyer. Use one which you like the best.

Finally, there was an acrimonious split with the guy who redrew a printed circuit board of the initial design done by the talented JI1UDD. I never authorized and object to the addition of "plus" to the hermes-lite name. I have asked the web site maintainer to stop this. Instead, there is a not-so-subtle message to me at the bottom of the web site. Unlike the hermes-lite which is entirely opensource, the source files for this project are not open source and in my opinion a violation of the original license. For these reasons, questions regarding the AK4951 companion board are often screened or removed from this group.

Also note that removing a ferrite bead as required to install the AK4951 companion board can void your warranty. Please do not make any hermes-lite board modifications until you are satisfied your HL2 is working as is and the warranty period has expired. After this period, you will likely realize that no add-on is necessary.

73,

Steve

kf7o