Hermes-Lite 2.0, N2ADR Filter Boards and Enclosures Available

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

Makerfabs is accepting orders for their current batch. They should start shipping in 1 to 2 weeks. There is now the option to buy the enclosure separately or as part of your larger order from Makerfabs. The end plates are now only included with an enclosure purchase. See this updated wiki page for more details and the latest links:

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Group-Buy

I also have 2 HL2 build9 units including N2ADR filter boards and 40mm enclosures with end plates left. I am selling these for $305, flat rate priority shipping to US only. I will ship on Monday or Tuesday. Please contact me at hermeslite @ gmail.com if you are interested.

73,

Steve

kf7o

 

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

Makerfabs sent pictures of the latest build. Note the new relays and male header stuffed at DB1. Also, see the video link of a technician running through the program and test procedure. Note that he tries to connect but then remembers to power cycle the unit. This is part of the updated testing procedure to ensure the unit is rebooted to verify the EEPROM is flashed. Everything looks good to me so I gave the go ahead. They are assembling and testing this week and will start shipping the first units within the week.

Video link: https://youtu.be/vdzQbHsvCMo

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Sebastien F4GRX]

Hello,

I notice that the back vias of the QFNs and QFP are not soldered

That may or not be an issue!

Sebastien

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[Steve Haynal]

Hi Sebastien,

Are you referring to the large holes on the bottom of the PCB included for manual soldering of the hidden pads on some SMT devices? If so, you should not see much any solder here as there should only be a very thin amount of solder. Solder is a poor thermal conductor so you want it thin. I did take off a chip from a HL2 assembled by Makerfabs once that looked like there was no solder on the thermal pad, but in fact there was. I think they are able to use the proper amount of solder versus what we see with hand assembled boards.

73,

Steve

kf7o

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[Sebastien F4GRX]

Hello,

Yes, the manual soldering holes. I was expecting to see a bit of solder inside even if the boards were reflowed.

But OK, message received :)

Sebastien

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[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

I've received several inquiries about what exactly is need to finish or use the HL2 if purschased from Makerfabs. Here is a general reply:

We really should have a better "getting started" wiki page. if you buy the HL2, N2ADR filter board, and enclosure form Makerfabs, you will need to provide the following:

** Drill

** M3 nut and bolt

** Thermal grease, commonly used with computer CPU heatsinks

** File or thin metal ruler wrapped with sandpaper

This is to provide the PA heat dissipation as described here:

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Enclosure-and-PA-Heatsink#pa-thermal-dissipation

** Screwdriver

This is to attach the end plates. Depending on exactly what Makerfabs sends, you may need or choose to use slightly different M3 (I think) screws to affix the end plates.

** 3A 11-16V power supply with barrel power connector

See https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Power-Supply

** Computer capable of running SDR software

The HL2 is not a standalone radio. You need to be able to install and use SDR software as described at

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

** Tuned HF antenna system with SMA connector

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group, 

I heard from Makerfabs today. They are sending a unit to me for final approval. I will receive it this Friday and do testing this weekend. If all looks okay, Makerfabs will begin shipping early next week. Makerfabs already has about 50 orders. This is better than expected. Based on past demand, we are expecting about 10 orders per month, with a few more the first month.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Ronald Nicholson]

Which version of FPGA Gateware will be loaded onto this next batch of boards?

Ron

n6ywu

(my HL2v9 is still running Gateware Version:  67)

[Probir]

Dear All,

 

I am finding hard to check the download link of SDR CONSOLE Software BUILD 3.0.22 for whatever reason from https://www.sdr-radio.com/download

 

Can any body provide me the exact site link

 

 

 

Best regards,
Probir Debnath

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[Steve Haynal]

Hi Ron,

Version 70_p0. This is the first version with rescue image in place in case an ethernet upgrade has a glitch. You are protected and there is no need for a USB blaster. You can upgrade your version 67 to 70 over ethernet using SparkSDR or Quisk.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Probir,

There are 3 links present: Google Microsoft and Dropbox. Did you try all 3? For google, I see this:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PCxapCbJO71GoqWIWZXWSy3cMurHyKan/view?usp=sharing

73,

Steve

kf7o

On Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 8:03:54 AM UTC-7, Probir wrote:

Dear All,

 

I am finding hard to check the download link of SDR CONSOLE Software BUILD 3.0.22 for whatever reason from https://www.sdr-radio.com/download

 

Can any body provide me the exact site link

 

 

 

Best regards,
Probir Debnath

 

From: Ronald Nicholson

Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2020 5:53 AM

To: Hermes-Lite

Subject: Re: Hermes-Lite 2.0, N2ADR Filter Boards and Enclosures Available

 

Which version of FPGA Gateware will be loaded onto this next batch of boards?

 

Ron

n6ywu

(my HL2v9 is still running Gateware Version:  67)

On Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 10:02:27 PM UTC-7, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group, 

 

I heard from Makerfabs today. They are sending a unit to me for final approval. I will receive it this Friday and do testing this weekend. If all looks okay, Makerfabs will begin shipping early next week. Makerfabs already has about 50 orders. This is better than expected. Based on past demand, we are expecting about 10 orders per month, with a few more the first month.

 

73,

 

Steve

kf7o

 

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[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

I received my test unit yesterday and ran tests today. I try to find anything that might be a systemic problem with the build. I did visual inspection, repeated hl2setup tests, checked spurious output on all bands with a spectrum analyzer and did 3 back to back (essentially 6 minutes key down) WSPR 5W transmits. Everything looks as expected. I did not see any differences with the new relays in use. All bands produced at least 5W out, with 40M being the lowest but still slightly above 5W. 12M and 10M power output was good. All spurious emissions were more than 50dB down. I gave Makerfabs the go ahead and they will start shipping on their Monday.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[si...@sdr-radio.com]

Steve,

 

Probir’s not the first person to not see the links, so I added a Lottie animation. I tend to miss things on websites myself.

 

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

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[Winston Wang]

Hi Steve,

Great to hear. Was your test with the filter board or without?

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Winston,

All my recent testing was with the N2ADR filter board connected.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

I just noticed today that Makerfabs has a video and blog on the assembly of HL2 and N2ADR boards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4miyyjonw0

https://www.makerfabs.cc/article/pcba-in-production-hermes-lite-2-0.html

73,

Steve

kf7o

On Monday, May 4, 2020 at 9:36:38 PM UTC-7, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

With every run of Hermes-Lite 2 units there seems to be some glitch... Makerfabs has been shipping the old 55mm high end plates with orders of the 40mm high enclosure. Makerfabs has acknowledged this mistake and will send the proper end plates to all customers who purchased an enclosure. Please send your request for the proper end plates with your original order number to service @ makerfabs.com. The end plates will be sent by registered airmail so may take a little longer to arrive. You can still use your Hermes-Lite 2 without the end plates. Receive is no problem even without an enclosure.

Sorry for this delay.

73,

Steve

kf7o

On Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 10:50:43 PM UTC-7, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

Also, please include your preferred shipping address.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Brendan Wahl]

Thank you Steve, just sent them a message. I also just received my kit today and had come across the problem, and was just figuring out what to do when your email hit the inbox.

Absolute newbie to the HL2 world as well, so I'll be hanging around a while to read up on everything as I get up to speed. I'm a longtime user of the SDR-Console software with several SDR receivers over the past several years, but now it's time to step up to transmitting with one. Can't wait...

73,

Brendan Wahl WA7HL

On 21-May-20 20:52, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

Also, please include your preferred shipping address.

73,

Steve

kf7o

On Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 8:49:37 PM UTC-7, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

With every run of Hermes-Lite 2 units there seems to be some glitch... Makerfabs has been shipping the old 55mm high end plates with orders of the 40mm high enclosure. Makerfabs has acknowledged this mistake and will send the proper end plates to all customers who purchased an enclosure. Please send your request for the proper end plates with your original order number to service @ makerfabs.com. The end plates will be sent by registered airmail so may take a little longer to arrive. You can still use your Hermes-Lite 2 without the end plates. Receive is no problem even without an enclosure.

Sorry for this delay.

73,

Steve

kf7o

On Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 10:50:43 PM UTC-7, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

I just noticed today that Makerfabs has a video and blog on the assembly of HL2 and N2ADR boards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4miyyjonw0

https://www.makerfabs.cc/article/pcba-in-production-hermes-lite-2-0.html

73,

Steve

kf7o

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[si...@sdr-radio.com]

Hi Brenden,

 

You’ll enjoy this. If you want v. 3.0.23 which is being refined daily for the HL2 then let me know, I’ll invite you to the test team. I’m thinking about buying a second HL2 to drive a Kuhne 2m transverter, if not this year then 2021 for sure.

 

I was thinking about buying the IC-705 for playing portable until I saw the price – you can buy the HL2 + Decent laptop for the price of the IC-705.

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: herme...@googlegroups.com <herme...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Brendan Wahl
Sent: 22 May 2020 05:46
To: herme...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Hermes-Lite 2.0, N2ADR Filter Boards and Enclosures Available

 

Thank you Steve, just sent them a message. I also just received my kit today and had come across the problem, and was just figuring out what to do when your email hit the inbox.

[Gérard LAGIER]

Hello,

HL2 received yesterday with the wrong plates (!) and a mysterious piece of 30 cm red wire in a small plastic bag. I don't know what to do with it..

Anyway the HL2 with the N2ADR filter are working properly at first attempt either with HPSDR and SDR Console.

An intriguing output power difference between HPSDR (3W) and SDR Console (4W)..?

N2ADR's Bias PA has been performed but it was originally correct.

Now building a 300/400W amplifier to follow.

Best regards

Gérard / F6EHJ

[Josh Logan]

I wonder if we can put some of those 55mm end plates to good use.  I don't have any, but could use them with my enclosure.

Are people willing to use a Google Sheet to facilitate matching up extra plates with people that need one?

73, Josh

KD7HGL

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[Steve Haynal]

Hi Gerard,

Please see the videos under the software section of the wiki. 
https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki

Some software limits the power output by band, and that may be what you are seeing.

The hl2setup program run at Makerfabs ensures output is at least 5W on all bands.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[F5NPV Amateur Radio]

Hello,

I am using all my SDR with Quisk (Raspberry) and according the Hermes Lite 2 , the output power is nominal for all bands (a least 5W and mostly 5.2 up to 5.6W)with a biasing at 200ma. I did some very quick  test with my Windows 10 computer mostly to cherck how it works with Windows (powersdr and Spark) and i notice ther Output power was less compare to Quisk/Raspberry (about 3w roughly). To be honest i did not check why the output power was less but i am assuming it is something to do with the software setup since the output power is OK with my RPI

73s Didier

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Didier,

There can be a lot of differences with mic and virtual audio connections. One good way to normalize tests is to try with spot or tune in each software. This should always give 5W on all platforms as it bypasses any audio input. If that is not the case, then sometimes software is set to limit power per band and those settings need to be adjusted.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

I continued updating the wiki today to provide more "getting started" type information. Please see the new "external connections" wiki page:

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

Also, from yesterday, there is the new "final assembly" wiki page:

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Final-Assembly

Tomorrow is a holiday so I will update the "software" wiki page. That should complete the getting started updates. Everything may be found from the main hermeslite or wiki pages:

www.hermeslite.com

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki

I would appreciate any help with the documentation. This is a great way to give back to this project. All you need to edit wiki pages is a free github account. I will also post any .pdf or .doc files created.

73,

Steve

kf7o

On Monday, May 4, 2020 at 9:36:38 PM UTC-7, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

[Ronald Nicholson]

Hi,

On the External Connections page, CN3 and CN4 are referenced without saying what the labels CN3 and CN4 mean.

(schematic labels?)

It might be useful to specify what type of connector each connector is, as is done for the 3.5 mm stereo (TRS?) jack.

I found other stuff like this (MOX bit?), where I needed to do a treasure hunt or ask before finding out what some abbreviation referenced.

On the External Connections page, RF3 is mentioned without a photo or other description of what/where it is (requiring a schematic or PCB hunt).

If the wiki is read from the top "slice receiver" in FAQ is mentioned without a description of what that means.

The IO page also requires hunting for the PCB silk screen to figure what connector is where.

The Protocol page doesn't say whether to tables refer to a Metis or USB protocol.

It might also mention that the USB protocol is wrapped inside Metis wrapped inside bidirectional UDP, so as not to require a treasure hunt for the info.

It took me a long time to figure out which bits were required and where they were inside a UDP packet just for the HL2 to minimally respond with data and say the board was alive.  

Is it noted anywhere that the HL2 responds to an ICMP ping?

Thanks and 73,   Ron   n6ywu

------

[Winston]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for this write up. It will help those of us who are just starting out such as myself.

[samuel kallmeyer]

Hi Steve & all the group,

Many thanks Steve for this interesting project and the fact that this SDR TRX becomes available to the ham community...

Like most of the people involved in this thread, else if have some RF/HW/SW background to play with the hermes-lite, I'm not yet able to fill in the quick started / RTFM wiki and I only have additional newbie questions that hopefully could be interested to be clarified...

So from the network side, does the hermes-lite have a default IP address ? or is this the "local" dhcp in charge of this ?

Based on my experiment, connecting the TRX to a router, the IP address was properly settled up...

Else if it could be a specific shack setup, but considering someone will only have a WLAN access in the shack, how is it possible to deal with the direct TCP/IP (or UDP) connection (first running test) with a computer ?

I didn't spend yet enough time on such things, but I quickly tried to set up a second DHCP on the RPi4 (which is connected by the WLAN to the local server) for using piHPSDR (in the shack with antenna) and also tested some windows application with a TRX (located in this case near the router) without antenna: unfortunately for now, I'm able to reach the hermes-lite, without an antenna :-( (test setup 2)

It would be interesting to define how to have a "standalone" configuration...

Else if quisk sounds to be multiplatform, I'm more familiar for now with usage of SDR-Console / SDR Angel / PowerSDR under Win and piHPSDR for raspberry.

If people from the group could share how to set up a standalone connection (or clarify why it is not possible) between Hermes-lite HW / (Win / Linux / Mac) OS, it would be very interesting from my opinion in order to improve the quick start !

73, from F8ACB

  Samuel

 

Le lun. 25 mai 2020 à 19:55, Winston <win2...@gmail.com> a écrit :

Hi Steve,

Thanks for this write up.  It will help those of us who are just starting out such as myself.

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[Josh Logan]

Be careful with two DHCP severs on the same lan segment.  That will cause all types of confusion.

The default gateware behavior is to look for DHCP server, if no response is received then it will use a link local IP address.  169.254.x.x

There are ways to change the MAC address and set a static IP, but usually that is needed only if running multiple radios at the same time.

Under Windows this works without any changes.  I setup a USB to Ethernet adapter and a dedicated link to the radio.  

I have not used the link local under Linux.  The following may give some help.  https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/319055/using-link-local-address-for-crossover-network-connection 

If you have an isolated Linux Ethernet port then it should be easy to set a static IP under Linux, and then run dnsmasq as the DHCP server.  I'm not really sure which would be need less work.

Make sure to power cycle the Hermes-lite when you change lan segments.  It only does the lan configuration on startup.

You listed a few different configurations, which one do you want running first?  Once that is done the others may become more straight forward.

73, Josh

KD7HGL

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[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

I updated the software wiki page today. Instead of describing every software package in detail, I describe core and optional HL2 features a user would find in the various software packages.

Please consider these updated pages as a rough draft and outline for better documentation. There are missing topics, misspellings, and other errors. I, like many engineers, do not like to spend a lot of time on documentation. This is where I need your help. Please sign up for a free github account and fix mistakes, add missing sections, etc. Just fix or add what you think is missing. If you are not sure about something, just add the note "(please check)" directly by your addition or change and someone will eventually check. This is the fastest and easiest way to have changes made. If we all chip in and help with the not very fun activity of documentation, then maybe eventually we will have good documentation.

73,

Steve

kf7o

 

On Sunday, May 24, 2020 at 10:11:42 PM UTC-7, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

[Amogh Desai]

Please add me if somebody is willing to do this.

Amogh

VU3DES

On Sunday, May 24, 2020 at 12:43:01 AM UTC+5:30, Josh Logan wrote:

I wonder if we can put some of those 55mm end plates to good use.  I don't have any, but could use them with my enclosure.

Are people willing to use a Google Sheet to facilitate matching up extra plates with people that need one?

73, Josh

KD7HGL

On Thu, May 21, 2020, 8:49 PM Steve Haynal <softerh...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Group,

With every run of Hermes-Lite 2 units there seems to be some glitch... Makerfabs has been shipping the old 55mm high end plates with orders of the 40mm high enclosure. Makerfabs has acknowledged this mistake and will send the proper end plates to all customers who purchased an enclosure. Please send your request for the proper end plates with your original order number to service @ makerfabs.com. The end plates will be sent by registered airmail so may take a little longer to arrive. You can still use your Hermes-Lite 2 without the end plates. Receive is no problem even without an enclosure.

Sorry for this delay.

73,

Steve

kf7o

On Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 10:50:43 PM UTC-7, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

I just noticed today that Makerfabs has a video and blog on the assembly of HL2 and N2ADR boards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4miyyjonw0

https://www.makerfabs.cc/article/pcba-in-production-hermes-lite-2-0.html

73,

Steve

kf7o

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[Josh Logan]

I made the spreadsheet:

 Hermes-Lite2 end plate swap

I have no idea is this will work out, but maybe some people without end plates will end up with some.

73, Josh

KD7HGL

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[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

I just heard from makerfabs that they are out of stock again. This last run of 100 units went very fast! A big thank you to Simon, G4ELI, for advertising to his large user group:

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

Makerfabs is interested in and will probably start another run soon.

For past runs makerfabs has always sent me any bad units, which I repaired, sold and replenished the R&D, repair and replacement funds. This time I didn't want to bother with the hassle of selling and shipping units, so makerfabs paid me ~$28 per sale, some of it as credit for future makerfabs orders and services. The coffers are full and I see these funds more as Hermes-Lite R&D rather than my own. If you are or want to work on a Hermes-Lite related project, please discuss it on this list. Maybe we can arrange for PCB fabrication, and even prototype assembly. As expected, I am looking for projects that are discussed and vetted in this group, and which have plans for how to fit in with the existing software, gateware and IO pin assignments. See the contributor guidelines. Here are some ideas to get the discussion started:

** An ATU that fits in the other half of the enclosure.

** A 50W or higher PA. One is already in the works, and maybe we can help that one along.

** A small PCB that mates with a Pro Micro or some other microcontroller board from makerfabs. The PCB has a jack for a CW key. The microcontroller sends MIDI to the PC for remote CW operation.

** For those who really want a stand alone unit, what about a PCB that interfaces this esp32 with lcd to the front panel or top of the HL2. The esp32 can handle sound and CW keyer to offload the FPGA. We can even have a gateware variant that decimates down to 2 recivers at 6kHz so that this can be a "no PC" SDR but still retain the ethernet for when one wants to operate with powerful software.

** A GPS-disciplined clock with location data based on maduino.

73,

Steve

kf7o

On Monday, May 25, 2020 at 10:37:46 PM UTC-7, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

[si...@sdr-radio.com]

Hi Steve,

 

My priorities:

 

• Different / alternate N2ADR board which supports an optional RX antenna. From home I TX on resonant dipoles but receive with a loop.
• GPS clock – I’m looking at maybe using the HL2 (maybe a new HL2) with a Kuhne transverter for 2m next year, would be nice but not absolutely necessary to get everything spot-on.
• Some decent propagation!

 

Other:

 

• As for standalone, I would take a small laptop and either solar cells or 12v battery, I have far too many laptops and that sort of thing. Could be an interesting Pi project for my next lifetime.

• I would probably keep an ATU separate from the HL2. A small transmatch in a die-cast box would be easy to put together.
• Esp32 looks great, would be excellent for display of status or pretty well anything. Not essential but very nice. Eye candy’s not always a bad thing.
• MIDI CW interface is very interesting.
• 50W PA also interesting, I do have a 1kW transistor amp at home but away from home – nice idea.

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: herme...@googlegroups.com <herme...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Steve Haynal
Sent: 28 May 2020 05:26
To: Hermes-Lite <herme...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Hermes-Lite 2.0, N2ADR Filter Boards and Enclosures Available

 

Hi Group,

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[Probir]

Hi Steve,

 

Excellent proposal.  But one very good thing is you being so TRANSPARENT about the MAKER FAB Payback YOU SHARED WITH US – ITS ASTONISHGLY APPRECIABLE WITH HIGH REGARDS.

 

Yes, THANKS to Simon too to make this happen 50 boards SOLD so quickly. I just received my boards yesterday but not tested yet – physically makerfab did a professional JOB (ONE hitch was the end plate was wrong – so that’s a setback)

 

I can see there are some holes in the front panel for ventilation. From my personal experience what I feel – there should be no ventilation other than a FAN which throws out the inner HOT AIR – reason being – from those holes in a dusty environment the boards within no time will catch up not only dust will catch up moisture.

...any way others can comment on this.

 

Another IMPORTANT proposition – AS HL2 is taking a good shape – let the entire thing be module based as its GOING ON – THE very moment you try to plan all in ONE BOARD then the experimentation opportunity of individuals will take a back seat.

 

------

N7DDC-ATU-100 – Antenna tuner is a open hardware – I am building it which can be shared – others can comment on this

 

Best regards,
Probir Debnath
.........................................

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[Josh Logan]

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Hermes-Lite-2.0-Getting-Started

This shows rf3 as part of the internal connector.  I remember someone in the past used a coax to chassis sma.  I think maybe they used a lot of 2 pin jumpers, but had a special one for rf3.

If you always want to use rf3 does the gateware support that?

I did not go back in the archives to look.  Maybe it was the transverter with split RX/TX.  Did I remember this right?

My thoughts for other projects to support:

50-100 Watt pa

VHF and/or UHF transverter, especially if we can monitor 2+ bands as virtual receivers

This may be part of the diversity receiver project, or just need two radios, but antenna reception comparison, along with transmission comparison.  Which really works better, dipole or inverted L?

73, Josh

KD7HGL

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[Ronald Nicholson]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for all your work on the Hermes Lite 2 project.

I like the idea of a clean way to interface an ESP32 to an HL2, and perhaps fit it in the HL2 case as an option board or something.  An ESP32 is not that much more expensive or power hungry than an Arduino Pro Micro or similar, and offers a programatic interfaces to lots more IO, including WiFi and Bluetooth.

I'm already using an ESP32, with a small speaker amp, as my keyer side tone generator.  There also seems to be code that can make an ESP32 act like a Bluetooth MIDI device, which might allow the option of sending keying information to either or both the SDR software (on a PC, Android or iOS device), plus directly to the HL2.  See: https://github.com/neilbags/arduino-esp32-BLE-MIDI 

Using the Bluetooth and WiFi interfaces on an HL2 connected ESP32 might even allow an iPad or Android device to be used as the HL2 front panel (much bigger display than a small LCD, plus iPhones often have more pure DSP SDR compute power than many inexpensive laptops).

73,  Ron   n6ywu

------

[Joe LB1HI]

Hi,
Congratulations. 
Good ideas. I'd like to add a suggestion. A  good universal accessory port. ACC

73, Jozef
lb1hi

[Winston]

An alternate N2ADR board that supports a separate receive antenna is something I would use as well.

[Alex Pressl]

Interesting grooming. I think a 100W PA fitting the case  is already done I saw that in the forum. Why another 50W?

But there will be many different other  PA ideas. I am i.e. working on a 500W stable digital mode portable PA in my project. And want to connect it to the HL2 of course with all features on the interface supported, oh - I have 3 SWR, some extra alarms - how to get it to the UI. interface is not designed for crazy extensions. It is pretty fixed to the hardware design at present.

A small breakout I2C interface header board with a little flexibiliy in form of a 1$ atmega chip (just like atmega micro breakout) evryone could place on their own board designs easily, fool around, wiring logic, relais, filters , cw key, with their special boards or older designs with an arduino IDE to get measuremeents, filter switching,etc to be added without starting from scratch. DIO,ADC and in my case I would fancy a digital potentiometer to remote adjust my BIAS current on my board too.  maybe several of them on the bus, maybe split purpose in many small headers instead of adding too much on a single brick. some want power, so one module migh offer a  50A FET, others need another relais to switch an additional antenna on this or that band.  a motherboard to put a few of the little guys together and hook them up to power and I2C. the bus is designed for that architecture.

some effort could spend to provide a nice little libary and easy to use API and robust fail safe HL2-header node communication.. eventually a buffered I2C line driver  allowing for longer distances between modules and more EMI resilient peripheral echange with more of such fancy header compnents to come. 

having some concept for such smart nodes being addable to the controller software, a little higher level than i.e. the USB relais in SDR console sounds powerful and a basis for more of such stuff. 

some control downward, and alarms, limits,measurements upwards to UI. simplicity would be the thing, no configuration - plug and play only. so if I want to change someting in year from now I do not need to dive into the whole source code and schema again -  I tend to forget too easy the details if this low level nerd stuff is not around every day.

Greetings

Alex

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Probir,

You can put some black electrical tape on the inside if you want to cover the ventilation holes. A fan with different speeds at different temperature is supported in the taller case, or via drilling holes into the top half of the enclosure you have. See:

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/tree/master/hardware/enclosure/endcaps/kf7o/hl2_40b#completed

The N7DDC-ATU is a very interesting ATU. I look forward to hearing how it works with your HL2.

73,

Steve

kf7o

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[Steve Haynal]

Hi Josh,

RF3 typically will go to an attenuator that then connects to the RX. The attenuator provides a high impedance so that the main RX line is not compromised much. There are some attenuator boards for this purpose in the IO section:

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/tree/master/hardware/companions/psfeedback

If someone permanently disconnects the RX line from the TR relay, you could use RF3 as a dedicated RX input.

Gateware does nothing different or special for RF3.

73,

Steve

kf7o

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[Steve Haynal]

Hi Ron,

I really like the ESP32 too. I've played around with a bit of micropython on one. 

The screen on the ESP32 that I linked to was just a quick idea. My opinion is that I have too many screens already. If I were to operate my HL2 more or less standalone, I don't want some little cheap screen. I already have a nice phone and would want that to be the primary frontend. It sounds like you may have a similar opinion? I think it would be very interesting to combine the HL2 with an ESP32 or similar to provide a WiFi or BLE interface to a phone or tablet. I am willing to help with defining and implementing the HL2 to ESP32 interface in the gateware, and possibly decimating to lower frequencies to lighten the external processing. With your skills and background, would you be interested in writing the ESP32 and phone code?

I think it would be very neat to be able to take just my phone, HL2 and antenna and operate remotely. Being able to plug a CW key or keyer into the ESP32 would be an added plus. Unfortunately (or fortunately :) ) I am an Android user.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Alex,

I was referring to the PA by Mathis. We can help with his efforts if he needs PCBs or assembly. Other PAs sound interesting too.

Your ideas around a small versatile i2c interface board sound great. Software can already read and write any i2c device through the gateware so it should be easy to add features to software and the i2c board without much change to the gateware. We just need people capable and willing to do this.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Winston,

A separate receive antenna does seem to be quite popular. The N2ADR design files are on github:

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/tree/master/hardware/companions/n2adr

Someone with time and motivation might be able to tweak that design to do more of what they like. If the N2ADR design is revisited, I'd want to see if there is way to reduce the switching power supply spur pickup by the 160M LPF.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Alex Pressl]

Hi Steve,

I may start a thread with a use case suitable for my own project and see who else  is interested in such a feature. in case anyone else would be interested to use I would support the effort to make it reusable for everyone.

first step I would use the interface as it is there today

greetings

Alex

[Sid Boyce]

My solution has been to use a 40mm x 40mm tangential fan sitting over
the FPGA/heatsink with rectangular cuts to the upper and lower halves of
the case for the side exhaust.
73 ... Sid.

On 29/05/2020 06:26, Steve Haynal wrote:
> Hi Probir,
>
> You can put some black electrical tape on the inside if you want to
> cover the ventilation holes. A fan with different speeds at different
> temperature is supported in the taller case, or via drilling holes
> into the top half of the enclosure you have. See:
> https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/tree/master/hardware/enclosure/endcaps/kf7o/hl2_40b#completed
>
> The N7DDC-ATU is a very interesting ATU. I look forward to hearing how
> it works with your HL2.
>
> 73,
>
> Steve
> kf7o
>
>
> On Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 10:54:45 PM UTC-7, Probir wrote:
>
> Hi Steve,

> Â
> Excellent proposal.  But one very good thing is you being so
> TRANSPARENT about the MAKER FAB Payback YOU SHARED WITH US – ITS

> ASTONISHGLY APPRECIABLE WITH HIGH REGARDS.

> Â
> Yes, THANKS to*Simon too* to make this happen 50 boards SOLD so

> quickly. I just received my boards yesterday but not tested yet

> – physically makerfab did a professional JOB (ONE hitch was the
> end plate was wrong – so that’s a setback)
> Â

> I can see there are some holes in the front panel for ventilation.

> From my personal experience what I feel – there should be no

> ventilation other than a FAN which throws out the inner HOT AIR

> – reason being – from those holes in a dusty environment the

> boards within no time will catch up not only dust will catch up
> moisture.
> ...any way others can comment on this.

> Â
> Another IMPORTANT proposition – AS HL2 is taking a good shape
> – *let the entire thing be module based* as its GOING ON – THE

> very moment you try to plan all in ONE BOARD then the
> experimentation opportunity of individuals will take a back seat.

> Â
> ------
> N7DDC-ATU-100 – Antenna tuner is a open hardware – I am
> building it which can be shared – others can comment on this
> Â

> Best regards,
> Probir Debnath
> .........................................

> Â
> *From:* si...@sdr-radio.com <mailto:si...@sdr-radio.com>
> *Sent:* Thursday, May 28, 2020 10:29 AM
> *To:* 'Steve Haynal' <mailto:softerh...@gmail.com> ;
> 'Hermes-Lite' <mailto:herme...@googlegroups.com>
> *Subject:* RE: Hermes-Lite 2.0, N2ADR Filter Boards and Enclosures
> Available
> Â
>
> Hi Steve,
>
> Â
>
> My priorities:
>
> Â
>
> * Different / alternate N2ADR board which supports an optional

> RX antenna. From home I TX on resonant dipoles but receive
> with a loop.

> * GPS clock – I’m looking at maybe using the HL2 (maybe a

> new HL2) with a Kuhne transverter for 2m next year, would be

> nice but /not absolutely necessary/ to get everything spot-on.
> * Some decent propagation!
>
> Â
>
> Other:
>
> Â
>
> * As for standalone, I would take a small laptop and either

> solar cells or 12v battery, I have far too many laptops and
> that sort of thing. Could be an interesting Pi project for my
> next lifetime.
>

> * I would probably keep an ATU separate from the HL2. A small

> transmatch in a die-cast box would be easy to put together.

> * Esp32 looks great, would be excellent for display of status or

> pretty well anything. Not essential but very nice. Eye

> candy’s not always a bad thing.
> * MIDI CW interface is very interesting.
> * 50W PA also interesting, I do have a 1kW transistor amp at
> home but away from home – nice idea.
>
> Â

>
> Simon Brown, G4ELI
>
> https://www.sdr-radio.com
>

> Â
>
> *From:*herme...@googlegroups.com
> <mailto:herme...@googlegroups.com>
> <herme...@googlegroups.com
> <mailto:herme...@googlegroups.com>> *On Behalf Of *Steve Haynal
> *Sent:* 28 May 2020 05:26
> *To:* Hermes-Lite <herme...@googlegroups.com
> <mailto:herme...@googlegroups.com>>
> *Subject:* Re: Hermes-Lite 2.0, N2ADR Filter Boards and Enclosures
> Available
>
> Â
>
> Hi Group,
>
> Â

>
> I just heard from makerfabs that they are out of stock again. This
> last run of 100 units went very fast! A big thank you to Simon,
> G4ELI, for advertising to his large user group:
>
>
> https://www.sdr-radio.com/hermes-lite-2-available

> <https://www.sdr-radio.com/hermes-lite-2-available>
>
> Â

>
> Makerfabs is interested in and will probably start another run soon.
>

> Â

>
> For past runs makerfabs has always sent me any bad units, which I
> repaired, sold and replenished the R&D, repair and replacement
> funds. This time I didn't want to bother with the hassle of
> selling and shipping units, so makerfabs paid me ~$28 per sale,
> some of it as credit for future makerfabs orders and services. The
> coffers are full and I see these funds more as Hermes-Lite R&D
> rather than my own. If you are or want to work on a Hermes-Lite
> related project, please discuss it on this list. Maybe we can
> arrange for PCB fabrication, and even prototype assembly. As
> expected, I am looking for projects that are discussed and vetted
> in this group, and which have plans for how to fit in with the
> existing software, gateware and IO pin assignments. See the
> contributor guidelines

> <https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Contributor-Guidelines>.

> Here are some ideas to get the discussion started:
>

> Â

>
> ** An ATU that fits in the other half of the enclosure.
>
> ** A 50W or higher PA. One is already in the works, and maybe we
> can help that one along.
>
> ** A small PCB that mates with a Pro Micro or some other
> microcontroller board from makerfabs. The PCB has a jack for a CW
> key. The microcontroller sends MIDI to the PC for remote CW operation.
>
> ** For those who really want a stand alone unit, what about a PCB
> that interfaces this esp32 with lcd

> <https://www.tindie.com/products/makerfabs/makepython-esp32-color-lcd/>

> to the front panel or top of the HL2. The esp32 can handle sound
> and CW keyer to offload the FPGA. We can even have a gateware
> variant that decimates down to 2 recivers at 6kHz so that this can
> be a "no PC" SDR but still retain the ethernet for when one wants
> to operate with powerful software.
>
> ** A GPS-disciplined clock with location data based on maduino

> <https://www.makerfabs.com/maduino-iot.html>.
>
> Â
>
> 73,
>
> Â
>
> Steve
>
> kf7o
>
> Â
>
> Â
>
> Â
>
> Â

>
>
>
> On Monday, May 25, 2020 at 10:37:46 PM UTC-7, Steve Haynal wrote:
>
> Hi Group,
>

> Â

>
> I updated the software wiki page

> <https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Software>

> today. Instead of describing every software package in detail,
> I describe core and optional HL2 features a user would find in
> the various software packages.
>

> Â

>
> Please consider these updated pages as a rough draft and
> outline for better documentation. There are missing topics,
> misspellings, and other errors. I, like many engineers, do not
> like to spend a lot of time on documentation. This is where I
> need your help. Please sign up for a free github account and
> fix mistakes, add missing sections, etc. Just fix or add what
> you think is missing. If you are not sure about something,
> just add the note "(please check)" directly by your addition
> or change and someone will eventually check. This is the
> fastest and easiest way to have changes made. If we all chip
> in and help with the not very fun activity of documentation,
> then maybe eventually we will have good documentation.
>

> Â
>
> 73,
>
> Â
>
> Steve
>
> kf7o
>
> Â
>
> Â
>
> Â

>
> --
> 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
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>
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>
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--
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

[Probir]

Where can I get a full height enclosure - As there is no way to mount a FAN
in this version since the height is low.

Further, my suggestion would be to save the board for the long run - we
should go back to full height enclosure as the volume of air will be more
and fan can be mounted too.
Also, the fan provision if its made in the side as pointed by SID, where the
FPGA, broadband modem IC and Ethernet controller is concentrated - these can
get some breathing space.

Is maker fab is having the full height enclosure ?


73

Probir
VU2BQF
.........................................

email to hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com.

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[Sid Boyce]

Hi Probir,
Lots available on EBay, that's where I got all of mine.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DIY-Project-Aluminium-Enclosure-Box-for-Electronic-Instrument-150-106-55-mm/253190179267?hash=item3af34f89c3:m:mZDfkszLvPceV_YgDD5pyjg
73 ... Sid.

>>     Â
>>     Excellent proposal.  But one very good thing is you being so

>>     TRANSPARENT about the MAKER FAB Payback YOU SHARED WITH US

>> – ITS

>>     ASTONISHGLY APPRECIABLE WITH HIGH REGARDS.

>>     Â

>>     Yes, THANKS to*Simon too* to make this happen 50 boards SOLD so
>>     quickly. I just received my boards yesterday but not tested yet

>>     – physically makerfab did a professional JOB (ONE hitch
>> was the
>>     end plate was wrong – so that’s a setback)
>>     Â

>>     I can see there are some holes in the front panel for ventilation.

>>     From my personal experience what I feel – there should be no

>>     ventilation other than a FAN which throws out the inner HOT AIR

>>     – reason being – from those holes in a dusty

>> environment the
>>     boards within no time will catch up not only dust will catch up
>>     moisture.
>>     ...any way others can comment on this.

>>     Â
>>     Another IMPORTANT proposition – AS HL2 is taking a good shape
>>     – *let the entire thing be module based* as its GOING ON
>> – THE

>>     very moment you try to plan all in ONE BOARD then the
>>     experimentation opportunity of individuals will take a back seat.

>>     Â
>>     ------
>>     N7DDC-ATU-100 – Antenna tuner is a open hardware –
>> I am
>>     building it which can be shared – others can comment on this
>>     Â

>>     Best regards,
>>     Probir Debnath
>>     .........................................

>>     Â

>>     *From:* si...@sdr-radio.com <mailto:si...@sdr-radio.com>
>>     *Sent:* Thursday, May 28, 2020 10:29 AM
>>     *To:* 'Steve Haynal' <mailto:softerh...@gmail.com> ;
>>     'Hermes-Lite' <mailto:herme...@googlegroups.com>
>>     *Subject:* RE: Hermes-Lite 2.0, N2ADR Filter Boards and Enclosures
>>     Available

>>     Â
>>
>>     Hi Steve,
>>
>>     Â
>>
>>     My priorities:
>>
>>     Â

>>
>>       * Different / alternate N2ADR board which supports an optional
>>         RX antenna. From home I TX on resonant dipoles but receive
>>         with a loop.

>>       * GPS clock – I’m looking at maybe using the HL2

>> (maybe a
>>         new HL2) with a Kuhne transverter for 2m next year, would be
>>         nice but /not absolutely necessary/ to get everything spot-on.
>>       * Some decent propagation!
>>

>>     Â
>>
>>     Other:
>>
>>     Â

>>
>>       * As for standalone, I would take a small laptop and either
>>         solar cells or 12v battery, I have far too many laptops and
>>         that sort of thing. Could be an interesting Pi project for my
>>         next lifetime.
>>
>>       * I would probably keep an ATU separate from the HL2. A small
>>         transmatch in a die-cast box would be easy to put together.
>>       * Esp32 looks great, would be excellent for display of status or
>>         pretty well anything. Not essential but very nice. Eye

>>         candy’s not always a bad thing.

>>       * MIDI CW interface is very interesting.
>>       * 50W PA also interesting, I do have a 1kW transistor amp at

>>         home but away from home – nice idea.
>>
>>     Â

>>
>>     Simon Brown, G4ELI
>>
>>     https://www.sdr-radio.com
>>

>>     Â

>>
>>     *From:*herme...@googlegroups.com
>>     <mailto:herme...@googlegroups.com>
>>     <herme...@googlegroups.com
>>     <mailto:herme...@googlegroups.com>> *On Behalf Of *Steve Haynal
>>     *Sent:* 28 May 2020 05:26
>>     *To:* Hermes-Lite <herme...@googlegroups.com
>>     <mailto:herme...@googlegroups.com>>
>>     *Subject:* Re: Hermes-Lite 2.0, N2ADR Filter Boards and Enclosures
>>     Available
>>

>>     Â
>>
>>     Hi Group,
>>
>>     Â

>>
>>     I just heard from makerfabs that they are out of stock again. This
>>     last run of 100 units went very fast! A big thank you to Simon,
>>     G4ELI, for advertising to his large user group:
>>
>>
>>     https://www.sdr-radio.com/hermes-lite-2-available
>>     <https://www.sdr-radio.com/hermes-lite-2-available>
>>

>>     Â

>>
>>     Makerfabs is interested in and will probably start another run soon.
>>

>>     Â

>>
>>     For past runs makerfabs has always sent me any bad units, which I
>>     repaired, sold and replenished the R&D, repair and replacement
>>     funds. This time I didn't want to bother with the hassle of
>>     selling and shipping units, so makerfabs paid me ~$28 per sale,
>>     some of it as credit for future makerfabs orders and services. The
>>     coffers are full and I see these funds more as Hermes-Lite R&D
>>     rather than my own. If you are or want to work on a Hermes-Lite
>>     related project, please discuss it on this list. Maybe we can
>>     arrange for PCB fabrication, and even prototype assembly. As
>>     expected, I am looking for projects that are discussed and vetted
>>     in this group, and which have plans for how to fit in with the
>>     existing software, gateware and IO pin assignments. See the
>>     contributor guidelines
>>
>> <https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Contributor-Guidelines>.
>>
>>     Here are some ideas to get the discussion started:
>>

>>     Â

>>
>>     ** An ATU that fits in the other half of the enclosure.
>>
>>     ** A 50W or higher PA. One is already in the works, and maybe we
>>     can help that one along.
>>
>>     ** A small PCB that mates with a Pro Micro or some other
>>     microcontroller board from makerfabs. The PCB has a jack for a CW
>>     key. The microcontroller sends MIDI to the PC for remote CW
>> operation.
>>
>>     ** For those who really want a stand alone unit, what about a PCB
>>     that interfaces this esp32 with lcd
>>
>> <https://www.tindie.com/products/makerfabs/makepython-esp32-color-lcd/>
>>     to the front panel or top of the HL2. The esp32 can handle sound
>>     and CW keyer to offload the FPGA. We can even have a gateware
>>     variant that decimates down to 2 recivers at 6kHz so that this can
>>     be a "no PC" SDR but still retain the ethernet for when one wants
>>     to operate with powerful software.
>>
>>     ** A GPS-disciplined clock with location data based on maduino
>>     <https://www.makerfabs.com/maduino-iot.html>.
>>

>>     Â
>>
>>     73,
>>
>>     Â
>>
>>     Steve
>>
>>     kf7o
>>
>>     Â
>>
>>     Â
>>
>>     Â
>>
>>     Â

>>
>>
>>
>>     On Monday, May 25, 2020 at 10:37:46 PM UTC-7, Steve Haynal wrote:
>>
>>         Hi Group,
>>

>>         Â

>>
>>         I updated the software wiki page
>> <https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Software>
>>         today. Instead of describing every software package in detail,
>>         I describe core and optional HL2 features a user would find in
>>         the various software packages.
>>

>>         Â

>>
>>         Please consider these updated pages as a rough draft and
>>         outline for better documentation. There are missing topics,
>>         misspellings, and other errors. I, like many engineers, do not
>>         like to spend a lot of time on documentation. This is where I
>>         need your help. Please sign up for a free github account and
>>         fix mistakes, add missing sections, etc. Just fix or add what
>>         you think is missing. If you are not sure about something,
>>         just add the note "(please check)" directly by your addition
>>         or change and someone will eventually check. This is the
>>         fastest and easiest way to have changes made. If we all chip
>>         in and help with the not very fun activity of documentation,
>>         then maybe eventually we will have good documentation.
>>

>>         Â
>>
>>         73,
>>
>>         Â
>>
>>         Steve
>>
>>         kf7o
>>
>>         Â
>>
>>         Â
>>
>>                 Â

[Ron]

Hi Sid,

That's the one I got from a UK retailer.

Great, no fan needed. Max temp 46C after 15 minutes full power into a
dummy load.

Ron, G6BMY

This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
https://www.avg.com

[Sid Boyce]

Hi Ron,
Belt and braces here just in case. I use a fan and copper plate fixed to
the bottom half  and in contact with the PA FET tabs.
One HL2 Build 8 I had one FET fail.
The HL2 Build 5 is dead, failed almost at the end of programming using
the rbf file. Thinking of sending it to Steve for repair in case it
turns out to be the FPGA.
73 ... Sid.

>>>>     Hi Steve,
>>>>     Â
>>>>     Excellent proposal.  But one very good thing is you
>>>> being so
>>>>     TRANSPARENT about the MAKER FAB Payback YOU SHARED WITH US
>>>> – ITS
>>>>     ASTONISHGLY APPRECIABLE WITH HIGH REGARDS.
>>>>     Â
>>>>     Yes, THANKS to*Simon too* to make this happen 50 boards SOLD so
>>>>     quickly. I just received my boards yesterday but not tested yet
>>>>     – physically makerfab did a professional

>>>> JOB (ONE hitch was the

>>>>     end plate was wrong – so
>>>> that’s a setback)
>>>>     Â
>>>>     I can see there are some holes in the front panel for
>>>> ventilation.
>>>>     From my personal experience what I feel –
>>>> there should be no
>>>>     ventilation other than a FAN which throws out the inner HOT AIR
>>>>     – reason being – from

>>>> those holes in a dusty environment the

>>>>     boards within no time will catch up not only dust will catch up
>>>>     moisture.
>>>>     ...any way others can comment on this.
>>>>     Â
>>>>     Another IMPORTANT proposition – AS HL2 is
>>>> taking a good shape
>>>>     – *let the entire thing be module based* as
>>>> its GOING ON – THE
>>>>     very moment you try to plan all in ONE BOARD then the
>>>>     experimentation opportunity of individuals will take a back
>>>> seat.
>>>>     Â
>>>>     ------
>>>>     N7DDC-ATU-100 – Antenna tuner is a open
>>>> hardware – I am
>>>>     building it which can be shared – others
>>>> can comment on this
>>>>     Â
>>>>     Best regards,
>>>>     Probir Debnath
>>>>     .........................................
>>>>     Â
>>>>     *From:* si...@sdr-radio.com <mailto:si...@sdr-radio.com>
>>>>     *Sent:* Thursday, May 28, 2020 10:29 AM
>>>>     *To:* 'Steve Haynal' <mailto:softerh...@gmail.com> ;
>>>>     'Hermes-Lite' <mailto:herme...@googlegroups.com>
>>>>     *Subject:* RE: Hermes-Lite 2.0, N2ADR Filter Boards and
>>>> Enclosures
>>>>     Available
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     Hi Steve,
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     My priorities:
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>       * Different / alternate N2ADR board which supports an
>>>> optional
>>>>         RX antenna. From home I TX on resonant dipoles but
>>>> receive
>>>>         with a loop.
>>>>       * GPS clock – I’m

>>>> looking at maybe using the HL2 (maybe a

>>>>         new HL2) with a Kuhne transverter for 2m next year,
>>>> would be
>>>>         nice but /not absolutely necessary/ to get
>>>> everything spot-on.
>>>>       * Some decent propagation!
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     Other:
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>       * As for standalone, I would take a small laptop and either
>>>>         solar cells or 12v battery, I have far too many
>>>> laptops and
>>>>         that sort of thing. Could be an interesting Pi
>>>> project for my
>>>>         next lifetime.
>>>>
>>>>       * I would probably keep an ATU separate from the HL2. A
>>>> small
>>>>         transmatch in a die-cast box would be easy to put
>>>> together.
>>>>       * Esp32 looks great, would be excellent for display of
>>>> status or
>>>>         pretty well anything. Not essential but very nice. Eye
>>>>         candy’s not always a bad thing.
>>>>       * MIDI CW interface is very interesting.
>>>>       * 50W PA also interesting, I do have a 1kW transistor
>>>> amp at
>>>>         home but away from home – nice idea.
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     Simon Brown, G4ELI
>>>>
>>>>     https://www.sdr-radio.com
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     *From:*herme...@googlegroups.com
>>>>     <mailto:herme...@googlegroups.com>
>>>>     <herme...@googlegroups.com
>>>>     <mailto:herme...@googlegroups.com>> *On Behalf Of *Steve
>>>> Haynal
>>>>     *Sent:* 28 May 2020 05:26
>>>>     *To:* Hermes-Lite <herme...@googlegroups.com
>>>>     <mailto:herme...@googlegroups.com>>
>>>>     *Subject:* Re: Hermes-Lite 2.0, N2ADR Filter Boards and
>>>> Enclosures
>>>>     Available
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     Hi Group,
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     I just heard from makerfabs that they are out of stock
>>>> again. This
>>>>     last run of 100 units went very fast! A big thank you to Simon,
>>>>     G4ELI, for advertising to his large user group:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>     https://www.sdr-radio.com/hermes-lite-2-available
>>>>    <https://www.sdr-radio.com/hermes-lite-2-available>
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     Makerfabs is interested in and will probably start another
>>>> run soon.
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     For past runs makerfabs has always sent me any bad units,
>>>> which I
>>>>     repaired, sold and replenished the R&D, repair and replacement
>>>>     funds. This time I didn't want to bother with the hassle of
>>>>     selling and shipping units, so makerfabs paid me ~$28 per sale,
>>>>     some of it as credit for future makerfabs orders and
>>>> services. The
>>>>     coffers are full and I see these funds more as Hermes-Lite R&D
>>>>     rather than my own. If you are or want to work on a Hermes-Lite
>>>>     related project, please discuss it on this list. Maybe we can
>>>>     arrange for PCB fabrication, and even prototype assembly. As
>>>>     expected, I am looking for projects that are discussed and
>>>> vetted
>>>>     in this group, and which have plans for how to fit in with the
>>>>     existing software, gateware and IO pin assignments. See the
>>>>     contributor guidelines
>>>>
>>>> <https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Contributor-Guidelines>.
>>>>
>>>>     Here are some ideas to get the discussion started:
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     ** An ATU that fits in the other half of the enclosure.
>>>>
>>>>     ** A 50W or higher PA. One is already in the works, and
>>>> maybe we
>>>>     can help that one along.
>>>>
>>>>     ** A small PCB that mates with a Pro Micro or some other
>>>>     microcontroller board from makerfabs. The PCB has a jack for
>>>> a CW
>>>>     key. The microcontroller sends MIDI to the PC for remote CW
>>>> operation.
>>>>
>>>>     ** For those who really want a stand alone unit, what about
>>>> a PCB
>>>>     that interfaces this esp32 with lcd
>>>>
>>>> <https://www.tindie.com/products/makerfabs/makepython-esp32-color-lcd/>
>>>>
>>>>     to the front panel or top of the HL2. The esp32 can handle
>>>> sound
>>>>     and CW keyer to offload the FPGA. We can even have a gateware
>>>>     variant that decimates down to 2 recivers at 6kHz so that
>>>> this can
>>>>     be a "no PC" SDR but still retain the ethernet for when one
>>>> wants
>>>>     to operate with powerful software.
>>>>
>>>>     ** A GPS-disciplined clock with location data based on maduino
>>>>     <https://www.makerfabs.com/maduino-iot.html>.
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     73,
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     Steve
>>>>
>>>>     kf7o
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>     Â
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>     On Monday, May 25, 2020 at 10:37:46 PM UTC-7, Steve Haynal
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>         Hi Group,
>>>>
>>>>         Â
>>>>
>>>>         I updated the software wiki page
>>>> <https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki/Software>
>>>>         today. Instead of describing every software package
>>>> in detail,
>>>>         I describe core and optional HL2 features a user
>>>> would find in
>>>>         the various software packages.
>>>>
>>>>         Â
>>>>
>>>>         Please consider these updated pages as a rough draft
>>>> and
>>>>         outline for better documentation. There are missing
>>>> topics,
>>>>         misspellings, and other errors. I, like many
>>>> engineers, do not
>>>>         like to spend a lot of time on documentation. This
>>>> is where I
>>>>         need your help. Please sign up for a free github
>>>> account and
>>>>         fix mistakes, add missing sections, etc. Just fix or
>>>> add what
>>>>         you think is missing. If you are not sure about
>>>> something,
>>>>         just add the note "(please check)" directly by your
>>>> addition
>>>>         or change and someone will eventually check. This is
>>>> the
>>>>         fastest and easiest way to have changes made. If we
>>>> all chip
>>>>         in and help with the not very fun activity of
>>>> documentation,
>>>>         then maybe eventually we will have good documentation.
>>>>
>>>>         Â
>>>>
>>>>         73,
>>>>
>>>>         Â
>>>>
>>>>         Steve
>>>>
>>>>         kf7o
>>>>
>>>>         Â
>>>>
>>>>         Â
>>>>
>>>>                 Â
>>>>
>>>>     --     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
>>>>    <mailto:hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com>.
>>>>     To view this discussion on the web visit

>>>>
>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/7415af5c-df74-44c5-a3d6-35f84470cbb3%40googlegroups.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/7415af5c-df74-44c5-a3d6-35f84470cbb3%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.
>>>>
>>>>

>>>>     --     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
>>>>    <mailto:hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com>.
>>>>     To view this discussion on the web visit

>>>>
>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/07c901d634ac%24b7ecb150%2427c613f0%24%40sdr-radio.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/07c901d634ac%24b7ecb150%2427c613f0%24%40sdr-radio.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> 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
>>>> <mailto:hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com>.
>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit
>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/5ae1908b-a3b4-4dba-bf0d-102b5c734320%40googlegroups.com
>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/5ae1908b-a3b4-4dba-bf0d-102b5c734320%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>

--

[Ronald Nicholson]

My 40mm end plates arrived today.  Thanks for solving this issue Steve.

73,   Ron   n6ywu

------

On Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 8:49:37 PM UTC-7, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

With every run of Hermes-Lite 2 units there seems to be some glitch... Makerfabs has been shipping the old 55mm high end plates with orders of the 40mm high enclosure. Makerfabs has acknowledged this mistake and will send the proper end plates to all customers who purchased an enclosure. Please send your request for the proper end plates with your original order number to service @ makerfabs.com. The end plates will be sent by registered airmail so may take a little longer to arrive. You can still use your Hermes-Lite 2 without the end plates. Receive is no problem even without an enclosure.

Sorry for this delay.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Ron,

That is good to hear. Makerfabs updated their enclosure picture, and now you can see the 40mm high end plates which will be shipped with the next run:

https://www.makerfabs.com/hermes-lite-2-enclosure.html

73,

Steve

kf7o