Built-In Keyer

[Scott AK5SD]

I seem to remember a discussion recently where it was stated that you don't need the add-on board to get a CW keyer built-in to the Hermes Lite 2 and that functionality was now available with a version of the gateware. I can't find the thread now so can somebody point me in the right direction? My software is piHPSDR running on a raspberry Pi, if that is relevant (although my recollection was this feature was added to gateware).

Thanks and 73,

Scott

AK5SD

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Scott,

The keyer is an option in the gateware, but is not enabled by default in the main gateware. I can enable it for you if you'd like to try it. It may work well with SDR Console which has a fast path back to the PC for sidetone at the PC.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Scott AK5SD]

Hi Steve,

Ah, right, sidetone latency. The HL2 doesn't have on-board audio. OK, I see the need for the add-on board. Since I am using a Raspberry Pi running piHPSDR, perhaps a better solution would be to use an external keyer, although this is not particularly satisfying. Another option would potentially be to run the keyer on the Pi. I've seen some source code for a Raspberry Pi keyer (https://github.com/n1gp/iambic-keyer/blob/master/README.md), but I don't know if it can run in conjunction with piHPSDR.

I looked up the manual for the Apache piHPSDR controller since I wanted to see how they were doing it. Their manual implies that the CW keyer is in firmware. However, they don't show a connection for a CW key to the controller so I'm guessing they only support local CW (at the radio).

Is anyone doing QSK with the HL2? Is the T/R timing done in software or gateware? You would probably want to replace the T/R relay with a vacuum relay or PIN diode switch.

Thanks and 73,

Scott

AK5SD

[alexande...@gmail.com]

Hi Scott,

I tested several solutions for CW keying and was not happy with the delay of the sidetone at SDR-Console (about 90ms delay). 

Probably an issue of my Setup and Windows PC, but decided to go in another direction.

I am using piHPSDR as you and in two idifferent nstallations.

In both cases I use the buildin SW keyer in piHPSDR.

piHPSDR has to be compile/build piHPSDR with internal Keyer functionality, 

here you find information/scripts how to build easily from scratch: https://groups.google.com/g/hermes-lite/c/4Bnf2p0C1S4/m/AlGdB8tiAwAJ

My Installations....

1. simple RPi4b with GPIO

• Connection is done via GPIO
• Config is possible (when SW was build with internal Keyer functionality) at the startup screen of piHPSDR
• 28ms delay from Key-Down to audible sidetone is very good. (see attached measurement)

          

2. Apache piHPSDR Console V2 with Midi_CW Interface

• it seem to be no available/free GPIO (not fully qualified)
• attached ext. Key via TeensyMidi Interface
  You find more information about this at Christophs Website: http://dl1ycf.darc.de/midicw.htm
• 30ms delay from Key-Down to audible sidetone is still very good.

FullBK keying seems to be not possible or very hard for the T/R Relais in Hermes lt2.

I would go with SemiBK and set a delay of 300ms.

vy 73 de

Alex, DK4FT

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

Hi Steve,

Where in the UDP protocol is the fast path back to the SDR software for front panel keyed CW Tx?

73,

Ron

n6ywu

[radi...@mail.com]

Just to say I am using front panel key jack on HL2 with SDRC and I don't see any issues at all with sidetone latency up to my max speed of around 35 wpm.  From memory when I measured it my overall sidetone latency is around 35 ms.

Alex, inside SDRC were you sure to set the "Padding" setting to 0ms? Small variations of this setting can have a large effect. I find only settings of 0 or 1 ms for the padding are acceptable (I use 0ms). Overall latency of 90ms sounds very high?

73

Max

[Scott AK5SD]

Thank you Alex. This is exactly what I was looking for. I was aware of a Teensy solution by Mario, DL3LSM, but I would rather not add another CPU just for this function. I will attempt to compile piHPSDR from scratch with the appropriate settings enabled. By the way, I'm curious if you are using a sound card on your Raspberry Pi for audio output or if you are just using the built-in PWM audio output.

Thanks and 73,

Scott

AK5SD

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Ron,

Fast path is a bad choice of words. Simon is using the standard UDP protocol, but has optimized SDR Console to respond ASAP to key down/up data.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Darryl]

Steve,

Could I get the gateware with the keyer enabled from you?  I would like to get the HL2 / SDR Console V3 working together on CW.

Regards,

Darryl

K0GV

On Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 12:37:12 AM UTC-6 softerh...@gmail.com wrote:

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Darryl,

If you like to experiment with a built-in keyer, then this gateware variant already enables that:

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/tree/master/gateware/bitfiles/stable/20201212_72p8/variants/hl2b5up_ak4951v3

You can use SparkSDR, Quisk or hermeslite.py to quickly switch between gateware variants for experimentation.

Note that I don't want to support a HL2 internal keyer. Instead I am working on a TeensyKeyer with low latency sidetone. This has been progressing nicely with several other developers and testers. Hopefully there will be something with documentation for a DIY-type to build in a few weeks, and then maybe a more consumer/user option in a few months.

https://groups.google.com/g/hermes-lite/c/P-i_EYCN--k/m/E_1i7smsAgAJ

73,

Steve

kf7o