TX runaway

[Randal Warren]

Hermes Lite 2 with IO board running Thetis v2.10.3.8

I’m not sure whether this was a potential bug or just a computer glitch.

I was using VarAC as I have many times before. My station was running AFK, sending out beacons and acting as an email gateway—something I’ve done often without issues.

When I walked into my shack, I glanced at the computer and noticed that Thetis was completely glitched out. I checked my amplifier (XPA125B), and it was at 60°C, transmitting at 40 watts. According to the logs, it had been stuck in transmit for about 13 minutes. I was extremely lucky to catch it when I did.

Thetis didn’t show any errors in its log; I only determined the 13-minute duration from the VarAC logs. Fortunately, nothing was damaged, but now I’m hesitant to run this setup while I’m AFK.

[Ron Lewkowicz]

Wouldn't you need to be there to monitor the frequency to determine whether it is clear before TXing anyway?

[Randal Warren]

Hi Ron.

No VarAC is made to be run while your away. Its an email gateway that beacons. And if the frequency is busy Vara knows that and will pause it's beacons until the frequency is free.

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[Ron Lewkowicz]

I guess that explains why we constantly get Vara firing up and dumping QRM onto our net then. Piece of crap software. Glad you caught it before it melted your amp. 

[Randal Warren]

It wasnt vara that caused it. It was either thetis or the HL2.

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[Luca De Biase]

just to know that VarAC monitor the frequency before tx , if the channel is busy (DCD) tx is delayed.

So the problem wasn't VarAC, that , dear Ron , is NOT a piece of crap software. Also is designed to work on frequencies established for that. 

IDK if your net is in the Varac frequencies and in which band.( I.e. 40 mt assigned frequency is unusable in my opinion...)

The problem is to search in the computer or hardware, but i've never liked to let the station operating when i am away...

Just a suggestion.

73 Luca

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

The HL2 FPGA gateware includes a watchdog to prevent TX runaway. If the HL2 doesn't hear from the host software within a specified amount of time (very short), then it will disable TX. This can be disabled in software, so you may want to check that it is enabled for your application. I don't remember where the switch is for Thetis. It is unlikely that software would hang but continue to send recognizable data to the HL2.

Search for watchdog

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

https://groups.google.com/g/hermes-lite/search?q=watchdog

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Ron Lewkowicz]

Thetis and HL2 do not just randomly put themselves into TX. If there is network error they drop out of TX.  This is not a bug in Thetis or HL2.  

I can assure you that Vara will TX QRM over top of any on going QSO with the possible exception of another station TXing Vara.  On amateur radio *ALL* frequencies are shared.  Just because some piece of software puts a frequency in a drop down list does not create ownership.  There is no such thing as Vara frequencies.  40 meters in North America is tricky because the data band plan for continental USA stations overlaps the phone band for Alaska, Hawaii and Canada.  Listen,  ask if the frequency is clear then TX only if the frequency is clear.