New Forum: Hermes Lite 2 Plus

[rentwist]

Hello Group,

I would like to announce the formation of a new forum, a fork of the Hermes Lite 2 called Hermes Lite 2 Plus.  The starting point design will include my Hermes Lite 2 Companion Board V3.0 and Taka-san's latest gateware (10/08/19) for the HL2 and the companion board (what you have seen here up until now).  The forum is co-owned by Taka-san and myself.  The description of the forum is as follows: "A fork of the Hermes Lite 2 SDR which promotes democratically determined desirable features, community involvement and furthering of the Hermes Lite architecture and capabilities."  All like-minded hams are welcome.

https://groups.io/g/HermesLite2Plus

Thank you and 73,

Robert, WA2T and Takashi, JI1UDD

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

I feel that I should add my perspective here. Many people have helped with the Hermes-Lite over the past 5 years. I've tried to thank and list them all on the schematic. Much of the analog filters, PA and software work is and should be credited to others. I do have some strong opinions about the Hermes-Lite and how this project is run, but this passion has also sustained me and this project over the years. It is good to have passion. I apologize to anyone who I've offended with my poor people skills, but I would still make most of the same decisions and run the project in the same way if I had to do it over again.

This fork is not something I am happy with, but it does create a clear distinction between these two projects and was the only solution we could all agree to. A fork is against the advice of several people who spoke up on this forum. I would have preferred if Robert and Taka would have taken the time to learn more Verilog and study the latest Hermes-Lite 2.0 gateware so that they could add their features to the main branch. This is something they chose not to do. The offer still stands for anyone interested in extending the main Hermes-Lite 2.0 gateware. I don't have much time these days, but will try to answer questions on this list to help incorporate additions in a sustainable and modular way.

I visited the link and found it surprising that a group which calls itself democratic only shares posts, archives and wikis with members. Is this intended or a new setup glitch?

73,

Steve

kf7o

[rentwist]

Hermes Lite Plus end plates for the 40mm case:

Circuitry on the back of the plates has been deleted as I feel it is unecessary.

73,

Robert, WA2T

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

IMHO, this last post from Robert with "Hermes-Lite 2+" in prominent lettering is internet trolling.

The Hermes-Lite 2.0 is designed to be a network appliance. Some people don't like this, and want a Hermes-Lite 2.0 that they can sit in front of and operate, more like a traditional radio. I would like to make the argument that adding an audio codec to the HL2 does not achieve the goal of a standalone transceiver, and that there are better ways to achieve a standalone transceiver than adding an audio codec.

First, although an audio codec allows you to plug in headphones and a microphone directly to the HL2, it does not remove the requirement for a host computer, or even reduce the burden of audio processing. The IQ data must still be sent to the host computer for processing and demodulation, and then the audio data is sent back to the HL2 for DA conversion. Likewise, the mic data must be sent to the host computer for modulation, and then back to the HL2 for transmit. The end result is that you have created a pricey sound card.

Second, an audio codec does not eliminate the need to have the host computer nearby. You still must access the computer to change frequencies, see your spectrum display, change modes, etc. If you really want a standalone HL2, then I think you need to box up the HL2 with a small computer, such as the Raspberry Pi, and local display. Taka, JI1UDD, has already done that in the past: https://github.com/ji1udd/Hermes-Lite2/tree/CompactTRX. But now since you have a computer in the same box with the HL2, what is the point of the HL2 running the audio codec? You can just include a less expensive and better USB or other sound card connected directly to the host computer in a standard way.

Third, an audio codec is costly in several ways. To achieve stutter-free audio, substantial buffering is required within the FPGA. Additional logic is required to manage and interface to the codec. This uses up additional FPGA resources. To fit this extra logic, you must reduce the number of receivers to 2, which impacts those wishing to do skimming. People ask why not use a larger FPGA. We use the largest FPGA available from Altera in a DIY-solderable package. Larger FPGAs require BGAs which then require PCBs with more layers which then raises costs. An original goal of this project was to keep costs low. Finally, an audio codec adds additional pin requirements and pins are already in short supply. Pins must be used for the audio codec at the expense of other features such as ATU control. 

These are the reasons I've never liked and promoted an audio codec. But even so, if there are enough interested people, I will accept audio codec support in the main gateware as an option enabled for some gateware variants. In several months, I may end up even adding this option to avoid further fracturing of this group.

For those wanting a standalone Hermes-Lite 2.0, I suggest the following:

** Figure out how to box the HL2 with a small computer to be fully standalone.

** Don't use an audio codec on the HL2 but rather a standard soundcard to the host computer.

** Make any changes to the gateware in a modular way and enabled/disabled by generate blocks. See the recent exttuner and extamp additions for examples. Make pull requests for your changes once they are validated and before they grow stale.

** Don't rush to some immediate solution which may be short-sighted, and does not fully consider the ramifications it has on the established HL2 effort and wider use models.

** Do all of this in a public forum, open for discussion or even for just for those who wish to read. In fact, hold discussions in this group if you plan to enhance the main gateware.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Marty Wittrock]

Steve,

In what way is showing a set of endplates for the derivative HL2 design, HL2+, 'Internet Trolling'? The intent was to show, educate and allow other members to make their own decisions and conclusions. I didn't take it that it was, as trolling is defined:

"...In Internet slang, a troll is a person who starts quarrels or upsets people on the Internet to distract and sow discord by posting inflammatory and digressive,^[1] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into displaying emotional responses^[2] and normalizing tangential discussion,^[3] whether for the troll's amusement or a specific gain...."

I guess I'm losing the meaning of your post-reply. Robert's post is not starting a quarrel or is inflammatory - it's just to educate other members and allow them to make their own decisions about HL2+ or stay on course with HL2....Really...

73 de Marty, KN0CK

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Marty,

Given harsh e-mails Robert has sent to me privately in the past, I found this post to be inflamatory. It rubs salt into an open wound.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Marty Wittrock]

Steve,

Okay, then...Isn't that between you and Robert? The membership should be able to examine other's work without underlying bias from either party. We're here to learn, not go through quarrels online.

73 de Marty, KN0CK

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Marty,

I've worked hard on this project and consider it my baby. It is difficult for me to separate between attacks on me or the HL2 here. I did say that it was in my humble opinion, so feel free to disagree.

Please focus on the rest of what I wrote, which is much more than one sentence. Maybe you and others can share why an audio codec on the HL2 is appealing given the points I raised?

73,

Steve

kf7o

[James Ahlstrom]

Hello Steve and Group,

I hope I don't offend anyone since this seems to be a sore topic. But I would like to make two points.

Steve has given excellent engineering reasons why an audio codec in the HL2 is a bad idea. But many of the commercial SDR radios have added an audio codec. Why is that? My guess is because of the burden of answering endless questions about PC sound systems. PC sound has been a nightmare ever since the sound blaster days. Does anyone else remember trying to share the printer interrupt with the sound card? Linux has three sound systems, and Windows is almost as bad. The system mixer and sound servers are always getting in the way. But the HL2 is a project for a more technical user who should be able to figure out PC sound.

Second, Steve thinks of HL2 as a network appliance and not a "normal" radio. That is fine, but for me the HL2  **IS**  a normal radio. I sit in front of it and operate. OK, I have a computer on the shelf nearby, but it is tiny compared to my monitor. I could buy an Intel NUC and mount it on the back of the monitor to make the computer disappear. I have users running Quisk with a 7 inch touch screen and a single board computer (SBC). This is fine and lots of fun, but personally I need my big monitor. But that is just me. I don't think the HL2 design gives up anything as a table-top radio. If people want to add an SBC that is great. But I don't see why it needs changes to the gateware. If changes are need we can discuss it here.

Jim

N2ADR

[Sid Boyce]

Hi Steve,
I totally agree. The audio codec is already in the PC or SBC or can be
added with a low spec USB audio dongle.

An example is my standalone HiQSDR in an enclosure which houses the
HiQSDR transceiver board + Preselector + 10W PA + ODROID-C2 with USB
audio dongle + 10W audio amp, Keyboard, mouse and 7" touch screen and a
USB Ethernet dongle that connects to my LAN for Ubuntu updates/upgrades.
It's done this way so I can operate it from any location with DC power
and an antenna. Clean audio at 960K samplerate.

HL2 is on my LAN accessible from PC's, ODROID-C2, ODROID-N2 and Atomic
Pi SBC's  (choice of quisk, linhpsdr or piHPSDR).
I shall eventually put one in an enclosure with a PA, SBC and
peripherals so it can be used like my HiQSDR based rig, pictures can be
seen on my QRZ.com page.

It's not hard to do and it requires no special magic.
i won't or can't call it other than a standalone HL2 with x watts output
as i am not really adding any functionality to HL2.
73 ... Sid.

On 22/10/2019 18:25, Steve Haynal wrote:
> Hi Group,
>
> IMHO, this last post from Robert with "Hermes-Lite 2+" in prominent

> lettering is internet trolling
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll>.

> expense of other features such as ATU control.Â

>
> These are the reasons I've never liked and promoted an audio codec.
> But even so, if there are enough interested people, I will accept
> audio codec support in the main gateware as an option enabled for some
> gateware variants. In several months, I may end up even adding this
> option to avoid further fracturing of this group.
>
> For those wanting a standalone Hermes-Lite 2.0, I suggest the following:
>
> ** Figure out how to box the HL2 with a small computer to be fully
> standalone.
>
> ** Don't use an audio codec on the HL2 but rather a standard soundcard
> to the host computer.
>
> ** Make any changes to the gateware in a modular way and
> enabled/disabled by generate blocks. See the recent exttuner and
> extamp additions for examples. Make pull requests for your changes
> once they are validated and before they grow stale.
>
> ** Don't rush to some immediate solution which may be short-sighted,
> and does not fully consider the ramifications it has on the
> established HL2 effort and wider use models.
>
> ** Do all of this in a public forum, open for discussion or even for
> just for those who wish to read. In fact, hold discussions in this
> group if you plan to enhance the main gateware.
>
>
> 73,
>
> Steve
> kf7o
>
>
>
>
>

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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

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Jim,

The most compelling argument for an integrated audio codec is to idiot-proof the audio. As you say, I also think that is why commercial SDRs are going that route. I also think that if you look in a standalone commercial SDR, they are not sending the audio through the FPGA, but interfacing a standard audio codec to their processor. There is no reason to go through the FPGA in a standalone unit. If people are interested in a standalone unit, they can pick a single good SBC audio interface and a single good sound system to simplify and streamline the whole setup.

I also have my radio nearby when I operate. But for me it is also the big screen and nice audio of my computer that I rely on, like, and consider to be the radio. I don't want to give up my nice Yamaha AG06 sound setup for a $3 codec.

I can understand the requests for better HR50 support, or tuner support, or fast 20WPM CW support, but I do not get the appeal of an audio codec inside the HL2. I'm willing to add gateware support for the first 3, but I'd like to here from others why the audio codec inside the HL2 is so important given the points raised in this post. That is where there is contention over what should be added to the gateware.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Sid,

Thanks for sharing. You are always up to date with the lastest SBCs.

73,

Steve

kf7o

> an email to hermes-lite+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> <mailto:hermes-lite+unsub...@googlegroups.com>.

[Bob A. Booey]

CW Sidetone.

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[Steve Haynal]

Hi Robert,

This is why there is PWM audio on the latest front panel. It is inexpensive in the FPGA to create a sine wave tone with PWM. I shared a paper with you many weeks ago. Why don't we work on that so that it is working and satisfactory, and drop the audio codec?

73,

Steve

kf7o

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

And latency.

 

TX / RX latency can be drastically reduced with onboard audio. My daily transceiver is the ANAN 10e (14-bit flavour). I use a Rode NT-1A microphone connected to the front panel and either headphones connected to the radio or speakers via the PC. Using the onboard audio (mic + headphones) and the latency is down to just the delays in my DSP. Now I’m fine without onboard audio, can live without it but for some people latency is a big issue, especially CW operators and contesters. GM3WOJ gave an interesting talk at the 2018 RSGB convention on this very same subject, showing that latency can be a serious issue with some SDRs, especially Flex (as was in late 2018).

 

Maybe once HL2 is put to bed and HL3 pokes its nose above the horizon onboard audio could be considered. Given the choice between onboard audio and receiver slices I’ll go for onboard audio, the main reason being sidetone.

 

But I can live without onboard audio…

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: herme...@googlegroups.com <herme...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Bob A. Booey
Sent: 23 October 2019 03:42
To: Steve Haynal <softerh...@gmail.com>; Hermes-Lite <herme...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: New Forum: Hermes Lite 2 Plus

 

CW Sidetone.

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Simon,

I don't see how the latency is better. The buffering adds ~20ms as it is similar to the IQ path. I dabble in audio/music computer stuff, virtual synthesis, etc, and an ASIO driver on Windows (common) or Jack on Linux will do better than 10ms.

73,

Steve

kf7o

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

Steve,

 

Microphone: doesn’t have to run though the Windows sound mixers. I use WASAPI which has the lowest possible latency in Windows, even when running in exclusive mode with a period of 3ms the onboard microphone will save a few ms, at least with the 10E. Not all USB microphones can be opened in exclusive mode, so we’re typically looking at 22ms to 40ms latency improvement. Not an issue if you’re into big, long, boring overs about hospital appointments, lawnmowers etc.

 

Speakers: here’s where you see the very big advantage – no sound mixers at all! Normally we’ll be running the output device in shared mode which usually has a period of 15ms (there are tricks to run lower but all programs have to agree). There’s also buffering and some other considerations in the host program which all vanish with onboard audio output. As soon as the demodulation is finished the audio is sent via UDP to the hardware where it is heard a few ms later. In fact I can listen to the TX audio through the onboard speakers on my 10E with almost no delay!

 

Of course there are other areas where latency is a consideration, it’s a downside of DSP as all filtering affects latency, so I show the filter latency when the user designs a RX filter. Every part of the DSP (filter, NR, NB, Squelch) introduces latency, it’s easy to be a lazy programmer and let it build up.

 

For CW operators onboard audio out with CW sidetone would be an excellent option. It really, really would.

 

I wouldn’t change HL2, I know what it’s like to have something stable only to have to break the design up to make a change (that’s what I’m doing today with SSB squelch). But maybe a consideration for the HL Next Generation?

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: herme...@googlegroups.com <herme...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Steve Haynal
Sent: 23 October 2019 06:40
To: Hermes-Lite <herme...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: New Forum: Hermes Lite 2 Plus

 

Hi Simon,

 

I don't see how the latency is better. The buffering adds ~20ms as it is similar to the IQ path. I dabble in audio/music computer stuff, virtual synthesis, etc, and an ASIO driver on Windows (common) or Jack on Linux will do better than 10ms.

 

73,

 

Steve

kf7o

 

On Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 10:30:51 PM UTC-7, si...@sdr-radio.com wrote:

And latency.

 

TX / RX latency can be drastically reduced with onboard audio. My daily transceiver is the ANAN 10e (14-bit flavour). I use a Rode NT-1A microphone connected to the front panel and either headphones connected to the radio or speakers via the PC. Using the onboard audio (mic + headphones) and the latency is down to just the delays in my DSP. Now I’m fine without onboard audio, can live without it but for some people latency is a big issue, especially CW operators and contesters. GM3WOJ gave an interesting talk at the 2018 RSGB convention on this very same subject, showing that latency can be a serious issue with some SDRs, especially Flex (as was in late 2018).

 

Maybe once HL2 is put to bed and HL3 pokes its nose above the horizon onboard audio could be considered. Given the choice between onboard audio and receiver slices I’ll go for onboard audio, the main reason being sidetone.

 

But I can live without onboard audio…

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: herme...@googlegroups.com <herme...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Bob A. Booey
Sent: 23 October 2019 03:42
To: Steve Haynal <softerh...@gmail.com>; Hermes-Lite <herme...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: New Forum: Hermes Lite 2 Plus

 

CW Sidetone.

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[Steve Haynal]

Hi Simon,

I think you can do better than the latency numbers you report. With computer music, you need to press a key on a music keyboard and the PC must synthesize the sound. This is done in under 15ms. Also, effects are added to singing in a microphone, often down to 3ms. I have personally achieved these latencies unser 10ms. Maybe it is time SDR software to borrow some ideas from the professional audio community. See https://help.ableton.com/hc/en-us/articles/360003149240-ASIO-is-the-recommended-audio-driver-on-Windows  and http://www.asio4all.org/intro.html

There is an option for a CW sidetone on the latest front panel.

73,

Steve

kf7o

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[Alan Hopper]

Hi Steve,All,

In the few tests I've done I see lower latency using the pc audio vs the udp audio on the Apache Orion board and this is the general advice given on the Apache forum (for powersdr), Simon sees something different so further investigation is probably needed to settle this one. I'm not sure how the HPSDR gateware controls the audio buffer level, maybe there is a bit of luck involved. If you set about to design a low latency audio card I don't think you would make it a udp network device that has to compete with all the other traffic and cope with the resultant jitter (pro audio kit is not made this way as far as I know).

If you really want low latency audio for cw rx, the way to do this is to do all the dsp on the fpga, in this case you would need on board audio. If someone were to achieve this non trivial task, that would justify on board audio for me. 

Jim makes a good point about making the audio idiot proof but as Steve & Jim suggested idiots don't buy Hermes Lites :)  The clock rate matching is a small advantage but it is not hard to do this in software with no extra latency( or no more than 1 sample).

I think one of the great things about the Hermes Lite is that it encourages experimentation and it would be a shame to stifle that, I think you recent contribution guidelines allow for that in a manageable way.  My feeling is that if someone produced a pr for on board audio following the guidelines, why not have it as a build option, however given the competition for pins and gates for other uses I'd need some convincing to make it part of the standard build.

73 Alan M0NNB 

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[Sid Boyce]

That's OK Steve,
If one prefers a Windows solution there is the Atomic Pi (not sure of
availability), LattePanda and may be others.

For a keyer I use a Curtis 8044 with side tone that can be configured
for a paddle or straight key.
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~malcolm/radio/8044print.pdf

I think the 8044 is no longer available but there is the K1EL
http://k1el.tripod.com/files/k16man.pdf
73 ... Sid.

On 23/10/2019 03:40, Steve Haynal wrote:
> Hi Sid,
>
> Thanks for sharing. You are always up to date with the lastest SBCs.
>
>
> 73,
>
> Steve
> kf7o
>
>
> On Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 5:12:49 PM UTC-7, Sid Boyce wrote:
>
> Hi Steve,
> I totally agree. The audio codec is already in the PC or SBC or
> can be
> added with a low spec USB audio dongle.
>
> An example is my standalone HiQSDR in an enclosure which houses the
> HiQSDR transceiver board + Preselector + 10W PA + ODROID-C2 with USB
> audio dongle + 10W audio amp, Keyboard, mouse and 7" touch screen
> and a
> USB Ethernet dongle that connects to my LAN for Ubuntu
> updates/upgrades.
> It's done this way so I can operate it from any location with DC
> power
> and an antenna. Clean audio at 960K samplerate.
>
> HL2 is on my LAN accessible from PC's, ODROID-C2, ODROID-N2 and
> Atomic

> Pi SBC's  (choice of quisk, linhpsdr or piHPSDR).

> I shall eventually put one in an enclosure with a PA, SBC and
> peripherals so it can be used like my HiQSDR based rig, pictures
> can be
> seen on my QRZ.com page.
>
> It's not hard to do and it requires no special magic.
> i won't or can't call it other than a standalone HL2 with x watts
> output
> as i am not really adding any functionality to HL2.
> 73 ... Sid.
>
> On 22/10/2019 18:25, Steve Haynal wrote:
> > Hi Group,
> >
> > IMHO, this last post from Robert with "Hermes-Lite 2+" in prominent

> > lettering is internet trolling
> > <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

> <https://github.com/ji1udd/Hermes-Lite2/tree/CompactTRX>. But now

> > expense of other features such as ATU control.Â

> > an email to hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com
> <mailto:hermes-lite%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>
> > <mailto:hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com
> <mailto:hermes-lite%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>>.

> > To view this discussion on the web visit
> >
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/6a25ad4f-99fe-47f3-a117-2abf94715de2%40googlegroups.com
> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/6a25ad4f-99fe-47f3-a117-2abf94715de2%40googlegroups.com>
>
> >

> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/6a25ad4f-99fe-47f3-a117-2abf94715de2%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer

> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/6a25ad4f-99fe-47f3-a117-2abf94715de2%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>>.
>
>
>
> --
> 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
>

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[Marc OLANIE]

Hi Sid

Nice suggestions. The K1EL could also run with the excellent K3NG's arduino keyer
https://blog.radioartisan.com/arduino-cw-keyer/

I think the Atomic Pi or the LattePanda are a little bit underpowered for running a real Windows app. The industrial branch of Asus -Aeeon, the UP board manufacturer- is selling nice motherboards for embedded sdr

See "compaq.jpg", a quad pentium board running simultaneously an HermesLite2/PowerSDR, an Airspy/SDRSharp and a HackRF one/HDSDR. All SDRs are in the computer's case, and there is enough free RAM to run multiple instances of FreeDV, FLdigi. DRM etc

These configurations are "just for fun and profit"... I definitely agree with Steve, the Hermes familly (from the early HPSDR to the HL2, including all sorts of Red Pitaya, ody2 etc) are essentially very versatile network devices.

But for demo during hacker's conferences/workhop or hamfest, I prefere to use a PiHPSDR or one of my "embedded" SDR. Less stuff to pack, less cables to carry.

Back home, I never switch the "in box computer" on: the hermeslite is a network device again, located outside, close to the dog's kennel and the antenna. The major advantage of a SDR is to be "modulation agnostic/Gigabit believer" . Adding a DAC audio board restricts the use of the rig to old "last century's analog schemes" and adds latency. (even if I understand the tropism of many hams in favor of a "traditional transceiver"). From this point of view, an audio hardware integration is a regression compared with an embedded computer configuration.

Very few things have changes since ghpsdr3-Alex in fact. It's just a matter of computing power :- ))

Anyhow, I've seen approximately the same "onboard dac" demand in the Red Pitaya realm, without mentionning the many threads on the Apache and Odyssey forum/mailing list.

So I'll never criticize this way of seeing things, as long as these developments and add-in don't change the original HPSDR network based architecture and compatibility :- ))

Marc f6itu



-----Message d'origine-----
De : herme...@googlegroups.com <herme...@googlegroups.com> De la part de Sid Boyce
Envoyé : mercredi 23 octobre 2019 13:33
À : herme...@googlegroups.com
Objet : Re: New Forum: Hermes Lite 2 Plus

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[Sid Boyce]

Hi Marc,
Nice setup but looks bulkier than I like.

The ODYSSEY2 with built-in codec and keyer is a neat package indeed but
still needs  PA/LPF to boost it's output and it costs far more than the HL2.
I interfaced it to a 100W PA/LPF board from an IC-737. Pressing PTT
immediately output 20W and whistled up to ~30W. I recently replaced the
DC-DC convertor providing the bias with a LM317 in case excess ripple
was the cause , yet to be tested.
ODY-2 is fine with ODROID-C2, ODROID-N2 here running linhpsdr and pihpsdr.

Some time ago Marty Wittrock on the LimeSDR forum says he was running
Windows 10 on a LattePanda without problems, may be because the CPU
demand of sdrangel/gqrx is considerably less than openHPSDR-mrx. Quite a
few years ago I had openHPSDR-mrx running in openOffice under openSUSE
and it took around 2 minutes to paint a single square.

The use of a USB audio dongle, audio amp and speaker does the job
without any real increase in needed space in the enclosures.

My efforts are towards compact packages that are easily transported for
portable use and demos.

BTW I had SDRConsole and Thetis running OK under Windows 10 on
VirtualBox on openSUSE x86_64.
I run and test the latest development kernels on openSUSE but VirtualBox
has not caught up.
73 ... Sid.

On 23/10/2019 13:37, Marc OLANIE wrote:
> Hi Sid
>
> Nice suggestions. The K1EL could also run with the excellent K3NG's arduino keyer
> https://blog.radioartisan.com/arduino-cw-keyer/
>
> I think the Atomic Pi or the LattePanda are a little bit underpowered for running a real Windows app. The industrial branch of Asus -Aeeon, the UP board manufacturer- is selling nice motherboards for embedded sdr
>
> See "compaq.jpg", a quad pentium board running simultaneously an HermesLite2/PowerSDR, an Airspy/SDRSharp and a HackRF one/HDSDR. All SDRs are in the computer's case, and there is enough free RAM to run multiple instances of FreeDV, FLdigi. DRM etc
>
> These configurations are "just for fun and profit"... I definitely agree with Steve, the Hermes familly (from the early HPSDR to the HL2, including all sorts of Red Pitaya, ody2 etc) are essentially very versatile network devices.
>
> But for demo during hacker's conferences/workhop or hamfest, I prefere to use a PiHPSDR or one of my "embedded" SDR. Less stuff to pack, less cables to carry.
>
> Back home, I never switch the "in box computer" on: the hermeslite is a network device again, located outside, close to the dog's kennel and the antenna. The major advantage of a SDR is to be "modulation agnostic/Gigabit believer" . Adding a DAC audio board restricts the use of the rig to old "last century's analog schemes" and adds latency. (even if I understand the tropism of many hams in favor of a "traditional transceiver"). From this point of view, an audio hardware integration is a regression compared with an embedded computer configuration.
>
> Very few things have changes since ghpsdr3-Alex in fact. It's just a matter of computing power :- ))
>
> Anyhow, I've seen approximately the same "onboard dac" demand in the Red Pitaya realm, without mentionning the many threads on the Apache and Odyssey forum/mailing list.
>
> So I'll never criticize this way of seeing things, as long as these developments and add-in don't change the original HPSDR network based architecture and compatibility :- ))
>
> Marc f6itu
>
>
>
> -----Message d'origine-----

> De : herme...@googlegroups.com <herme...@googlegroups.com> De la part de Sid Boyce
> Envoyé : mercredi 23 octobre 2019 13:33
> À : herme...@googlegroups.com
> Objet : Re: New Forum: Hermes Lite 2 Plus

>> Pi SBC's  (choice of quisk, linhpsdr or piHPSDR).

>> I shall eventually put one in an enclosure with a PA, SBC and
>> peripherals so it can be used like my HiQSDR based rig, pictures
>> can be
>> seen on my QRZ.com page.
>>
>> It's not hard to do and it requires no special magic.
>> i won't or can't call it other than a standalone HL2 with x watts
>> output
>> as i am not really adding any functionality to HL2.
>> 73 ... Sid.
>>
>> On 22/10/2019 18:25, Steve Haynal wrote:
>> > Hi Group,
>> >
>> > IMHO, this last post from Robert with "Hermes-Lite 2+" in prominent

>> > lettering is internet trolling

>> > expense of other features such as ATU control.Â

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

Just moving the argument sideways – for the very lowest latency one wouldn’t use Ethernet anyway, the HL2/SDR would talk directly to a bus on the computer, how I don’t know.

 

The IC-7300 has quite spectacular latency figures but uses IIR filtering I believe and of course doesn’t really have many if indeed any of the issues a SDR radio + software package has when looking at latency.

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