New HL2 owner.....Need help with TX

[Charlie Rubenstein]

Hi. I got the HL2 running with PowerSDR mrx in receive just fine.  I cannot figure out how to get it to transmit properly. I have VAC1 set to use the default mic and speakers on the PC (I have an external mic working properly in windows).

On tune, I can see (on my Flex6400) the carrier, and it looks strong.  The FWD Power meter on PowerSDR mrx shows 110 watts.....obviously not the case. (I don't have a QRP wattmeter here).  

When attempting to transmit, on hitting MOX, I see on the Flex that there is (without speaking into the mic) a complete filling of the TX passband with 10-15db of noise, and if I speak into the mic, a SLIGHT rise in the amplitude of the signal. The FWD power meter shows 0 W output.

I tried FT8 using the VAC (now configured with VB cable to WSJT-X) and RX is fine again, but in TX, see the same filling of the whole TX passband, with 0W output shown. 

I'm hoping it's just user error but any suggestions?

Thanks,

de Charlie KB8CR

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Charlie,

Congratulations on your new HL2. Are you using PowerSDR modified for the Hermes-Lite 2.0? Have you looked at the video? You can find links here:

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Software#powersdr

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Charlie Rubenstein]

Yes, that is the video I used to set it up.

Charlie

[Charlie Rubenstein]

I did get it to work with SDR-Console v3. Made a contact (barely) with 4W to Bulgaria on my doublet.

Charlie

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Charlie,

Congratulation on your QSO with Bulgaria. I'm not a PowerSDR user so others can help more. I know it can be tricky to setup VAC correctly. It helps to use the version of PowerSDR modified for the HL2. Also, you should be able to realize 5W if all software settings are correct. Some software lowers the TX output to protect any external PA.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[n1ig anthony]

have you considered installing Thetis instead?  Looks very similar, and has had more recent updates (2020 vs 2018).

https://github.com/TAPR/OpenHPSDR-Thetis/releases. (2.8.11 is most recent)

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Thetis-Setup. (setup instructions)

I use Thetis off and on and it seems to work well.

But to be honest, most of the time I use SparkSDR because it is so easy.

Anthony - N1IG

[Charlie Rubenstein]

Anthony......I tried Thetis, and have to say that for the HL2 it is the best. The metering is better, and it is much like PowerSDR. 

My main rig is a Flex 6400 running SmartSDR, but also run a Flex 3000 with KE9NS's version of PSDR, so I'm used to the interface.  I got the HL2 primarily to use with PiHPSDR, but needed to learn the radio a bit better before I take that step. I got it running very well with Thetis, and actually my first QSO on it with 4W out was to Bulgaria on 40M LSB. Not bad at all.  FT8 was a simple setup with VBCable like I use with the 3000. I have yet to figure out how to run CW on this little rig, but am still reading things on the net. With PiHPSDR, it appears you can hook a key to GPIO pins for keying, but as the rig has no internal keyer (and as it operates remotely) I'm not sure how people are using paddles. (I'm not a fan of CWX or other keyboard CW).

Charlie KB8CR

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Charlie,

Are you using the version of Thetis and PowerSDR that have been modified by Reid for the HL2? There are a number of incompatibilities which he has fixed. You can find the links here:

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Software#thetis

For CW please see the wiki page below. Several users like the way SDR console works for CW.

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Community-Projects#cw-resources

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Charlie Rubenstein]

Hi Steve:

I'm not sure that the version of Thetis I'm using is that one. I went to that site, but don't see a windows release. I don't know how to compile things on Windows. The version I have doesn't have a selection for Hermes Lite, only Hermes.

Charlie KB8CR

[Charlie Rubenstein]

The version I have is 2.8.11 (10/20/20). 

[n1ig anthony]

Thetis 2.8.11 works with the HL2.  

The installer (Thetis-v2.8.11.x64.msi) is for windows.

Anthony - N1IG

[n1ig anthony]

There is a 2.8.12-Beta5, that is also windows based.   

Personally I prefer to not use beta versions if at all possible.

Anthony - N1IG

[Charlie Rubenstein]

I have 2.8.11 installed. It works fine....but haven't figured out how to make it show the actual FWD Power. It shows like 1100W for Fwd Power. 

I've also been playing with PiHPSDR, but it's giving me fits. Maybe something on my Pi4 is conflicting with it. (or maybe I'm just not tech-savvy enough on Linux) When I select Local Audio, the whole thing locks up, and I have to reinstall. John G0orx has been trying to help me, but I think I'm wearing out my welcome on his Issues list. ha ha.

I'm trying to find another Pi4 board, and will try it all by itself on that one. My Pi4 is running NodeRed and FRStack for my Flex 6400 and KPA500/KAT500 set up.

Charlie KB8CR

[Mike Lewis]

Check out the link on the Wiki page below for the HL2 version.  I think it is still at Beta 5. 

 

Note that you install the version you have first, then copy down and run the HL2 version, there is no installer, I keep it in a separate folder.

Software · softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2 Wiki (github.com)

 

The direct link is

mi0bot/OpenHPSDR-Thetis (github.com)

 

It has many HL2 optimizations including a button to set the N2ADr filter values for you, external 10Mhz clock setup, more.   You still need to read the notes as some fields such as the PA enabling checkboxes are not obvious yet.   Steve did a video walkthrough that helps (the non HL2 version I believe.)

 

Mike

K7MDL  EL87sm & CN88sf

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[Mike Lewis]

Have you run tool like the Pulse Audio app or run the ALSA mixer to set up some of these audio sources outside of PiHPSDR app, set the levels and enable/disable combinations of inputs and outputs.  Might isolate your problem.  Can also try local with a BT source.  I am running 2 RPI4 based controllers with latest Raspian OS and PiHPSDR builds no problem after I fixed a few things unrelated to your audio issues.  I also run Hamclock and APRS/GPS and other apps, not NodeRed though.

 

Mike

K7MDL  EL87sm & CN88sf

 

From: herme...@googlegroups.com <herme...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Charlie Rubenstein
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2021 14:35
To: Hermes-Lite <herme...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: New HL2 owner.....Need help with TX

 

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[Alan Hopper]

Hi Anthony,

it is worth bearing in mind that 'beta' is just a word and one developer's beta is another's production worthy product. I would choose the cautious developers beta over the marketing departments product any day :)

73 Alan M0NNB

[radi...@mail.com]

Hi Charlie

If you are a Windows user I can strongly recommend SDR Console V3. Just works perfectly with HL2, including very nice semi break-in operation and sidetone for CW all within the program, i.e. no external sidetone necessary (using key into key/PTT jack on front panel of HL2). Very nice GUI/interface IMHO. It is plug-and-play, so connect HL2 and be on air in no time at all with no messing about. Also plays very nicely with WSJT-X for FT8 etc (using VAC to route audio in/out and virtual serial cables for control). Also easy transverter support. It's definitely my favourite by some distance.

73

Max

[Charlie Rubenstein]

Mike......I downloaded the ZIP file for the Hermes Lite version, but how do I incorporate it into the version of Thetis I have?  I put it in another directory, but how does Thetis find and use it?

Charlie

[Charlie Rubenstein]

BTW, PiHPSDR must have had a conflict with something in my Pi.  I burned another clean OS card, and installed only PiHPSDR and WSJT-X. This time it's working perfectly. I just got VK2 and CU2 with 5W on FT8.  Not bad at all. I guess QRP does work. hi hi.

Charlie KB8CR

[Charlie Rubenstein]

Hi Max:

I have tried SDR Console V3. It worked, but I am partial to the PowerSDR/Thetis format, as it's a lot like PowerSDR that I use with my Flex 3000. I got PiHPSDR running well now, and that is what I wanted to use with the HL2.  The guy I bought it from also included the HL2 Plus companion board, but it is not yet installed. I think I'll play with it as is for now, maybe install that board later. 

Charlie KB8CR

[Mike Lewis]

When you unzip Thetis for HL2, all you have to do is run it from that new folder.  I create a desktop shortcut to it.  The original version installs things in common places such as the user/Appdata folder.  In short, it just works, magic 😊.   More insight to this can be found if you follow the instructions to download and place and use the WA1AEX skin for Thetis.  Worth a good look.

HPSDR (w1aex.com)

 

I also noted your success running the PiHPSDR app, congrats. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/446004e0-e135-4640-94b3-143822be3fbbn%40googlegroups.com.

[Charlie Rubenstein]

Well, here is what is inside the .zip file I downloaded:

Inside of the SOFTWARE folder is just another folder named HL2SETUP.......this is all that is in there. In short, I don't see any executables to run from here.

Charlie KB8CR

[Mike Lewis]

That is Hemes code.  You want the zip file on this releases page

Release v2.8.12-beta5 · mi0bot/OpenHPSDR-Thetis (github.com)

 

 

Mike

K7MDL  EL87sm & CN88sf

 

From: herme...@googlegroups.com <herme...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Charlie Rubenstein
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2021 21:06
To: Hermes-Lite <herme...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: New HL2 owner.....Need help with TX

 

Well, here is what is inside the .zip file I downloaded:

 

Inside of the SOFTWARE folder is just another folder named HL2SETUP.......this is all that is in there. In short, I don't see any executables to run from here.

 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/8c9a7962-1dbe-4195-9afc-076f988e3caen%40googlegroups.com.

[Charlie Rubenstein]

Thanks Mike !!  It's installed, and setting up now.

Charlie KB8CR

[n1ig anthony]

Why was my post deleted?

Anthony - N1IG

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Anthony,

What post are you talking about? I don't delete posts. A poster can delete his own post. Sometimes Google starts flagging posts as spam and then I must approve them. I have approved all recent posts flagged as spam. This can cause a delay in your post showing up.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Reid Campbell]

Hi All,

Maybe I should disclose my release naming scheme. When Thetis was released with support for Protocol 1 (2.8.11), I added initial support for HL2 and up'ed the version to 2.8.12. What would I do for the next release, 2.8.13 and the next 2.8.14? But these release numbers are not mine to casually mess with, they belong to the Thetis development team. Ok, I could have started my own number systems but then that would confuse the issue as to what HL2 release relates to what official Thetis release.

So, I called it a Beta release as a form of sub numbering until a new official Thetis release comes out. I would expect that to probably have one of the major number increased. At that point I would create a 'Official' HL2 release, calling it 2.8.12 and disable the timeout.

Future work would be with the new Thetis release and a new Beta name scheme would start. This is the way it worked with PowerSDR. My big worry is trying to integrate all my changes into the next release of Thetis - I am trying to migrate this.

The important bit is that people try the software and report back any issues they find with it. So far I haven't had to many reports of issues, so it must be reasonably stable or nobody is using it!

Cheers

Reid
Gi8TME/Mi0BOT  

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[n1ig anthony]

18th down from the top, that says message deleted.  

Anthony - N1IG

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Anthony,

I do see the deleted message in the GUI interface. It was not intentionally deleted by me. I don't know how it was deleted. One or two of your posts were flagged as spam by Google groups and I thought I approved everything but maybe something didn't go as expected. I found your post as e-mail as e-mail always goes through. I reposted below.

I also want to respond to your post. The HL2 is not 100% compatible with openhpsdr protocol1. We strive for core compatibility. There is some functionality the HL2 doesn't cover, covers differently, or adds when compared to openhpsdr radios. Reid kindly adds patches and enhancements to the master code of PowerSDR and Thetis to make it more HL2 friendly. For example, SWR and power readings are only correct with Reid's changes. Since this is off of master code, I wouldn't call it beta. So you can use the same code with or without Reid's enhancements, but HL2 users will benefit from his enhancements. I am *very grateful* to Reid MI0BOT for his work on this as many HL2 users like to use PowerSDR or Thetis.

Finally, the HL2 itself is more akin to beta or experimental than to a commercial product. Anyone interested in purchasing and using a HL2 should be aware of this and expect to have to do some tinkering.  

73,

Steve

kf7o

Alan,

That's why I try to stick with production level products, created by cautious developers.

I've been out of IT/LMR for way too long to try and be on the bleeding-edge of technology, as I used to be long ago.  

Anthony - N1IG

[Alan Hopper]

Hi Steve and Anthony,

I have recently had the same issue with google groups deleting posts on the spark group, I feel google groups should be treated as alpha software in comparison with the very cautious developers creating stuff for the HL2 who I suspect all care very much and undersell the professionalism of what they produce.

73 Alan M0NNB

[n1ig anthony]

lol

I think that they are more worried about scraping as much user info as possible!

Anthony - N1IG

[Charlie Rubenstein]

Reid:

I am now using 2.8.12 Beta5 with my HL2, and it by far is the best I've tried. I haven't found any glitches in the version.

I could NOT get the Forward Power to work correctly with any other software (other than PiHPSDR).

I come from the Flex world, and am truly impressed with the little HL2. Haven't hooked it to the amp yet, but am having a blast making lots of

QRP contacts.

Is it possible to use the FlexControl wheel with Thetis?  So far I haven't found a way.

73 de Charlie KB8CR