Hermes lite 2 and Hardrock 50 amplifier

[Alton tschirhart]

I have the subject system and it works excellent.  I need to know if there is an interface or nstructions to get the amplifier work with automatic bandswitching with data information from the HL2.  Getting components and board to build this interface is difficult and I was hoping someone had a "plug and play" solution to make this combo fully automatic.  

[Mike S]

The Neptune 50 or 100 watt amp works well. The  band select is automatic and works every time.

[Abuck289]

The Neptune is OK but it doesn't have an internal tuner or any remote control capabilities. 

[Ron Lewkowicz]

Did you look at the N2ADR I/O board https://github.com/jimahlstrom/HL2IOBoard ? You can buy them from Makerfabs now.

[Luke Williams]

I replied earlier, but I think it might have been held since I posted a link in the content. The Hardrock can get Kenwood format CAT and switch bands on its own. On the HR50 website, look under Transceiver Interfacing and see the section on the Flex-1500. It describes how to do it with PowerSDR, but the instructions should work for software that can emulate Kenwood CAT to a serial port. You will have to connect the USB port of the amp to the computer running the SDR application.

The N2ADR board will require less configuration once you have the Pico on it configured, but it will be limited to software that is writing the proper I2C parameters while the direct CAT might give you other options.

Luke - AE5AU

[Luke Williams]

If you can connect your HR50 to your computer via USB and are using SDR software that can emulate Kenwood CAT, you don't even need hardware...well, other than a USB cable:

https://sites.google.com/site/hardrock50beta/hardrock-50-builders-information-site/transceiver-interfacing/flex-1500?authuser=0

That refers to the Flex-1500 and PowerSDR, but it will work with any SDR software that can do Kenwood CAT over a serial port.

I have the original group buy HR50 and it doesn't have isolated USB, so that has caused me a little trouble, but the newer amps have isolated USB and should be no trouble at all.

Luke - AE5AU