Rise in HL2 Sales

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

Now that most FPGA supply chain issues seem to have been resolved, there has been a rise in HL2 sales. Over 400 have sold so far just this year. I've lost track, but I think we are close to 2000 units in total manufactured and sold. Still, Makerfabs has been able to keep the HL2 in stock:

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

After almost 10 years, it seems this project has moved on from being an experimental, QRP radio, which I miss. Most new users just want an inexpensive SDR which works with Thetis, PureSignal and a PA. 

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Pez]

Steve,

I just want to say congratulations to all involved in the project! I have not used my FTDX-10 or TS-990S since my first HL2 arrived. It is outstanding value for money for the performance, and is lots of fun to use, which I think is the most important part! I am using one HL2 at home with an amp, and another is more for portable QRP use. When remote solutions become a bit more polished, I plan to have a few more HL2's scattered about the place as well :) 

73

[radi...@mail.com]

That's amazing Steve. Testament to your great foresight with an amazingly clever design. Congratulations.

Very simply, for me, without the existence of the HL2 I would never have been able to afford to get into SDR and that is what brought me fully back in to the hobby. I use it QRP on CW and digital modes and also with a PA for SSB. I've actually got two, one for HF and one to drive my collection of antiquated (but modified) transverters for 6m/4m/2m/70cm. They are my only transceivers currently in use (or likely to be, other than when I finally get to unpack my old Drake station).

So from me it's a wholehearted "thank you", not just for a superb bit of kit that is in the true tradition of ham radio experimentation, but also the rig that awakened my interest in the hobby after a gap of nearly 40 years out of it.

73

Max

[Fred Krause]

I have a feeling these numbers will continue to grow.   I found a group of guys on 40m and I asked for an audio check after getting my XPA125B working with my HL2.  All 5 of us were running HL2s.   We all agreed it was the best deal in radio.   Thank you for your awesome design.  

—Fred  WF8Z

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 15, 2023, at 19:45, radi...@mail.com <radi...@mail.com> wrote:

That's amazing Steve. Testament to your great foresight with an amazingly clever design. Congratulations.

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[Steve Haynal]

Hi All,

I did receive a private message from someone building their own PA, so there are still builders and experimenters out there using the HL2. I'd love to hear more about that. We have a community wiki page with a lot of past projects. Anyone can add their project to that page:

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

Also, there is the new IO board being developed and tested:

https://groups.google.com/g/hermes-lite/c/WM5DsY_o1T8/m/ZOjEP02TBAAJ

It just amazes me that the HL2 continues to sell. My original estimate was 100-200 units. This project and the technology used in it are not exactly new. This project is almost 10 years old, with the AD9866 at the center for the entire project. The AD9866 was introduced in 2005, 18 years ago, and the Cyclone IV FPGA in 2009, 14 years ago. The openhpsdr project, from which the HL2 leveraged quite a bit, began in 2006, 17 years ago.

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Colin Larsen]

Ah, that was me, sorry hit the wrong reply button.

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[Pierre Martel]

HI Steve,

There are a lot of new users that want to use the Hermes Lite 2 as a simple radio to use and maybe use an amp and PS. 

This shows to me that Big SDR companies are not fulfilling the needs of the market.

A cheap 100 watt PS enabled SDR is what many people want. It may have been a home brewing project at first but it grew up to be a very capable radio. And that is because of your vision, your skills and the nice community that has been built around that project. I could have built the radio as I built a few radioberry. But the nice casing, the large PCB and the front and back panel for the casing made me reconsider building more radioberry and buy a fully built radio from MakerFabs. 

Now the only other thing I would love to see is a cheap SDR that can, if connected to a Hermes lite, do diversity receive.

No need for a TX section for that second receiver. wondering if another chip could be used than the actual AD9866. And maybe even have another fpga as the workhorse to digitize/control the stream..  I don't know, I have no idea how the whole thing works ;-). The sync of both boards could be done by using the 20 mhz signal output from the Hermes. I know it would mean a rework of the gateware software. But this would put the Hermes lite 2 as one if not of the most powerful small transceiver SDR and all in a expandable radio as it could be added later on like the filers section and other boards addon that are already in production. 

Been following for a pretty nice time. Could not provide any help as this is way over my pay grade. But boy did I love the whole project. 

Pierre

VE2PF

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[Ron Lewkowicz]

Doesn't surprise me in the least that these are selling like hot cakes.  I am very pleased with my HL2. 

I guess I would be in the group of buyers you describe except I don't personally care for Thetis and PureSignal seems entirely optional.  I got my license in March of this year and started looking for a radio.  All I really knew is I wanted an SDR that was completely controlled by computer software.  I didn't like the software used by Flex and balked at 3-4 grand for a radio in a hobby I was still uncertain of.  Anan could be run with software I liked but 4-5 grand. Both also very limited availability.  Then I stumbled across your HL2 radio.  I am very happy I chose to order one.

I built my whole station for less than the cost of an IC-7300.  It runs exactly as I wanted.  I can make contacts QRP but  the 50 watt PA gets me beyond North America.  I primarily use FT8 and I can't think of how any setup could be better.

I am very happy for the success of your project and I hope the HL2 continues to be available for a long time to come.  It is unique.  Without the HL2 I might still be radio shopping or would have settled for a station that was far less than what I wanted. 

VE6RLZ