Warning: You may not need a Companion Board (HL2+)

[Jürgen Weißmann (7ii)]

Warning: you may not need a Companion Board! I bought one, but I don't see any benefit in it. That's why I didn't install it.

1. Normal sound I hear via the laptop.

2. My Morse code is heard via my MFJ-8043 IC Electronic Keyer without delay. It is plugged into the HL2.

3) I use a USB microphone plugged into my laptop for radiotelephony. I operate PTT with a foot switch with a jack plug, which is plugged into the HL2.

What could I need the Companion Board for?  

73 de df7ii Jürgen

[Ron Lewkowicz]

Well, it also added a control interface for the HardRock 50 amplifier and for tuners.  I believe you are now better served with the I/O board.  Adding the audio codec is pointless for phone as you still require a computer. The claims made by plus board maker in this regard are not accurate.  I was drawn to the HL2 because it did not have built in audio and allowed me to use higher quality audio interface and microphone which I already had.

[Jürgen Weißmann (7ii)]

Dear Ron,

thank you for the useful information.

73 Juergen

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Juergen,

I have been saying this for years. People are better off investing money in a quality generic sound card, which can be used for other purposes, and learning how to configure it properly for use with the HL2. All audio must be sent to/from the host PC for processing, so the ak4951 is essentially an expensive ethernet sound card.

https://groups.google.com/g/hermes-lite/search?q=ak4951

73,

Steve

kf7o

[Jürgen Weißmann (7ii)]

Hi Steve,

can you name a specific sound card that is available on the market?

73 de df7ii juergen

[Gareth “68CT080”]

Focusrite Solo works fantastic

[Franz Schöning]

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/audio-interfaces/komplete-audio-1-audio-2

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[Paul-M1TZR]

PreSonus Studio24 in use here and it works great.

[Gareth “68CT080”]

Very good lots of choice. Im using mine with the fduce sl40x mic, nice and natural sound witout processing. Previous to that I used the usb Blue Yeti also very good. 

Cheers

[Ron Lewkowicz]

If you don't mind I'm curious about your MFJ keyer. I see an RCA KEY plug on the back.  I assume this simply connects to the tip and sleeve on the KEY/PTT plug on the front of the HL2.  When I close tip to sleeve it appears to send and my amp gets triggered so I assume it's as simple as that.  I don't know how to CW but i'm curious about learning.

As for audio interfaces and microphones etc.  I'm a strong proponent on use what you have.  If you have audio and speakers for your computer that you are happy with this is good for receive in which case you may only need a microphone.  There are many fairly good USB microphones available that simply plug in and are ready to go.  If you like headsets there are lots of good options for USB headsets for gaming or ones designed for call center use. Again just plug in and off you go.  If you already have a nice XLR type microphone that you wish to use then a USB audio interface with a built in XLR connection with preamp and phantom power will get you going with that.  Many many brands and choices there and a wide range of pricing.  

[Ron Lewkowicz]

I apologize  I just went back and opened up your original post and I see that you already have your microphone and audio sorted. Still curious about your CW keyer thought. I see MFJ has a model MFJ-407E now.

[Jürgen Weißmann (7ii)]

[Ron Lewkowicz]

Very cool!  This is what I made for PTT.  I left the spare RCA plug attached so I guess I'm good to go plugging into a keyer as well.  That looks like a fair bit of weight hanging off your KEY/PTT jack on the HL2. I think I would get a small extension to plug in and get that Y adapter down onto the table instead. Thanks for the photo.

[Jürgen Weißmann (7ii)]

Dear Ron,

You're absolutely right. I have already removed the weight from the key/PTT socket and replaced it with a Y-cable.

[Seven Axe]

I see you're using the Neptune 100w amp with your hl2. How does it work for you and no issues with the auto band switching ?  Specifically in SSB (since that's what some people seem to have troubles with) ? 

[Jürgen Weißmann (7ii)]

No issues at all! But I use SparkSDR 🙂, not Thetis🙃

[Seven Axe]

Excellent ! 🙂 But unfortunately I was planning on using thetis. (I don't have the HL2 yet. It is on its way) . 

I might send an email to 60dbm with my concerns. 

[Robert Holsti]

I built a K3NG Arduino CW keyer to key the hermes and also provide PTT to my Juma PA100D amplifier.
It also keys a pure sinewave audio oscillator that I use instead of listening to the software generated sidetone and deal with latency.
Audio goes from PC to a controlled switch that opens the PC audio line, connects to the oscillator output  when transmitting and closes during receive. You get more flexibility when you build it your self.
Commercial products for a cw keyer have never provided what I needed. A picture of the keyer is on my QRZ webpage. You can build it simple or complex, Just start simple and work up from there.
Robert KH2BR

[Jürgen Weißmann (7ii)]

@Seven Axe

I've just had Paul install the software update online in case I need to do something with Thetis again. The update procedure takes about 5 minutes and is very simple. Paul does the complicated part:

hello
hi
is it amp connected to programmer and programmer inserted to USB port?
yes and yes
sendet allready a foto
ok, everything is correct

please be ready to remove RST-GND jumper AFTER I push CONNECT in r software
 okay
remove programmer , wait few second and put it again
I will press OK now
You remove jumper
done
you can try
Try what?
connect TRX to AMP
connect RF load
connect PTT
Use amp
Shall I remove programmer first?
yes, of course
software updated

waiting news from you
drop me a message aftyer you tested amp with new firmware
Sri for delay
I wasent prepared for an instand test

It is working!
TNX dr Paul!

"

[Scott Massey]

I too built the K3NG keyer and do not use the Companion Board.  It works great and the K3NG features are awesome!  I like having one key connection between radios along with all the other features.  I use an audio splitter (tip and ring splitter) for key in and a PTT foot switch.  It all works a treat.

Scott Massey | M +1.248.535.6510

(iPhone transmission)

On May 11, 2024, at 19:05, Robert Holsti <kh2b...@gmail.com> wrote:

I built a K3NG Arduino CW keyer to key the hermes and also provide PTT to my Juma PA100D amplifier.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/747f2598-01ae-468d-bd4e-e47e57f54bccn%40googlegroups.com.

[Seven Axe]

Great. Well at least that is reassuring in case I would need support. Thanks for the informative message.  

Although I would prefer to do this firmware update / patch myself if possible.