Hermes-Lite 2.0 Build 6

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

I've made ~90% of the Hermes-Lite 2.0 Build 6 schematic and PCB changes. These changes are in github:

* Extra notes and note errors fixed on schematic. No electrical changes.

* LDMOS footprint changed so that PCB will always appear as 10cm by 10cm, not larger.

* Added small cutout so that CW jack will sit flat on PCB.

* Moved one via and converted one optional 2x1 header to surface mount so that heat flow in inner layers away form the AD9866 is improved.

* Updated version text on PCB.

* Copied footprints for all devices that have a large hole to manually solder the thermal pad. The copied footprints are for assembly use and only have small thermal vias. These footprints will be substituted when the final assembly gerbers are generated. The main KiCAD files will still have the old footprints for those still wishing to do manually assembly.

There are no electrical changes. In fact, all changes to the PCB are such that the hl5b5 stencil could be used.

I still need to test all front and back IO. I don't expect any issues here.

73,

Steve

KF7O

[James Ahlstrom]

Hi Steve,

I am skiing, but from memory I did not have confidence that the LDMOS finals had the source pad soldered firmly to ground with solder paste. There is a through hole pad next to the source and this may create the same issues as the AD9866. I think we should also make a clean hole-free footprint for the finals. I think the hole is for a TO-220 part, but I thought we abandoned that plan.

Jim
N2ADR

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Jim,

Okay. I'll make that change on the assembly gerbers. Were you able to use RX or TX on your HL2b5?

73,

Steve

KF7O

[James Ahlstrom]

No Rx or Tx test yet. I installed the transformer and relay but have not applied power.

Jim
N2ADR

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

Hermes-Lite 2.0 build6 is released: https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/tree/master/hardware/hl/releases/hl2p0build6

See the notes at the above link for more details.Please let me know if you find anything wrong or questionable. This is the version the Elecrow will bid on for the next 25 boards.

73,

Steve

KF7O

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

I've added high resolution assembly pictures to the build 6 release subdirectory. 

I also added a FAQ to the wiki. This is to help people understand what the Hermes-Lite 2.0 is. Please feel free to add.

73,

Steve

KF7O

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

I'm almost ready to start extending offers to those on the Hermes-Lite 2.0 waiting list for the next run. I'm just waiting for Elecrow to confirm a few numbers. It looks like the unit price will be $199 and shipping will range from $12 to $22 depending on the carrier and destination. The price went up from $187 to $199 for several reasons. First, Elecrow is charging about $8 more to assemble each unit. They probably have a good idea of the assembly complexity now. Second, I increased the insurance fund contribution from 10 to 15 percent. Third, the AD9866s are ordered directly from the factory with date code 1544 and at a slightly higher price. The FPGAs are from Digi-Key with lower price. Both are in sealed packages to reduce moisture. But given the duties and shipping to China, the total price for these two parts come in at pretty much the same as we paid last time to Elecrow.

There will be no bare N2ADR filter board included with each order. We found a bug in the current design where the TR switch does not switch to RX when in 160M. I'm working on some workarounds. Jim will probably fix this in the next board revision.

The PCBs will be build6, which includes a couple of small changes to improve heat transfer away from the AD9866. The solder stencil is the same. See the build6 release page for more details.

73,

Steve

KF7O

On Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 7:10:11 PM UTC-8, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

[John Marvin]

Hmm, I guess I missed the request for joining the waiting list. I had seen the notice for build5, but I seem to remember that being a fairly restricted purchase. Anyway, if you are still taking people for the waiting list, please put me on it.

Regards,

John

On 3/4/2018 9:44 PM, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

I'm almost ready to start extending offers to those on the Hermes-Lite 2.0 waiting list for the next run. I'm just waiting for Elecrow to confirm a few numbers. It looks like the unit price will be $199 and shipping will range from $12 to $22 depending on the carrier and destination. The price went up from $187 to $199 for several reasons. First, Elecrow is charging about $8 more to assemble each unit. They probably have a good idea of the assembly complexity now. Second, I increased the insurance fund contribution from 10 to 15 percent. Third, the AD9866s are ordered directly from the factory with date code 1544 and at a slightly higher price. The FPGAs are from Digi-Key with lower price. Both are in sealed packages to reduce moisture. But given the duties and shipping to China, the total price for these two parts come in at pretty much the same as we paid last time to Elecrow.

There will be no bare N2ADR filter board included with each order. We found a bug in the current design where the TR switch does not switch to RX when in 160M. I'm working on some workarounds. Jim will probably fix this in the next board revision.

The PCBs will be build6, which includes a couple of small changes to improve heat transfer away from the AD9866. The solder stencil is the same. See the build6 release page for more details.

73,

Steve

KF7O

On Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 7:10:11 PM UTC-8, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

I've added high resolution assembly pictures to the build 6 release subdirectory. 

I also added a FAQ to the wiki. This is to help people understand what the Hermes-Lite 2.0 is. Please feel free to add.

73,

Steve

KF7O

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Hermes-Lite" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Steve Haynal]

Hi John,

You are on the waiting list. I forwarded your request to herme...@gmail.com. It looks like you are within the group of next 20 people. There was a rush of e-mails to the waiting list early on, and I am about up to those who made a request on or before November 14, 2017.

73,

Steve

KF7O

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to hermes-lite+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

I have sent out the group buy invitations to the next 20 people on the list. The e-mail will come from herme...@gmail.com. The details are pretty much as discussed earlier on this thread. 

John's original request, dated November 14, is actually the next one on the list. Usually there are some people who back out or don't respond, so there will probably be another round or two of invitations. Also, I'm offering 20 out of the 25 units in case there are problems with some units. There will eventually be at least 3 more units available from this run to US buyers from the list.

If you sent a request on or before November 14 2017 (check your sent box) and did not receive an invitation, please let me know.

73,

Steve

KF7O

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

The first round of invitations for the Hermes-Lite 2.0 Build6 group buy has ended. 15 people purchased a unit, 2 decided to buy at a later time due to logistics and scheduling, and 3 never responded within the time window. I have sent out the second invitation round to the next 5 people on the list. The e-mail will come from herme...@gmail.com.

73,

Steve

KF7O

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

The group buy is progressing well. 18 units have been purchased and 2 invitations are still out. The FPGA and AD9866 parts are on their way to China and should arrive on Wednesday. Elecrow will probably start production of the PCBs on Monday. I expect Elecrow will ship units in 2 to 3 weeks.

One purpose of the Hermes-Lite 2.0 project is to better understand and educate on small batch assembly to help other "maker" and low volume DIY electronic projects. Everything with Hermes-Lite 2.0, including the final design files and production process, is open source. So, to those ends, here are some of my recent learnings.

Shipping integrated circuits to China can be expensive. For this last group buy, there was about 27% overhead for shipping parts, 8% for shipping and 19% for import tariffs. Overall the final price for the AD9866s and FPGAs were pretty much the same as Elecrow would have charged for sourcing the same within China, but we do have AD9866s sourced from the factory and everything is properly packaged and protected from moisture. 

The AD9866 parts were ordered directly from Analog Devices using the link at the bottom of this page. There is a price break at 25 pieces. These parts were shipped from Singapore. It turns out that the parts can be sent directly to China for less even when ordered in the US. Next time I will do that or encourage Elecrow to order directly from Analog Devices.

The FPGAs were ordered from DigiKey as Altera fixes the price and I couldn't find any good deals. The FPGAs are packed in a large tray with some slots empty in the tray. This bulk increases shipping costs. Next time I will repackage the parts provided I find a good way to reseal the electrostatic/moisture wrapper.

Some of the larger part distributors (Verical, Arrow, Avnet) will offer periodic sales and/or free shipping, including international. This is the only way I know of for discounts on certified new FPGAs. For the next run, I am watching these sites for sales.

DHL had the best shipping rates to China. Their web site guides you nicely through the entire international shipping process including customs and paperwork. The prices are lowest if you use one of their standard shipping boxes and not your own box.

73,

Steve

KF7O

On Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 9:48:33 PM UTC-8, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,