Date
1 - 20 of 23
SDRC with Hermes Lite 2 - No output power
f5mwa
Hello everybody,
PTT works (TX led goes on ) with tune button too.
Any suggestions ?
After solving some initial receiver problems (sensitivity - but it was my fault because of antenna mismatch) I'm now trying to have the HL2 working on transmit with SDRConsole.
However I'm not able to get any power output.
The HL2 works fine with Thetis and I've very good reports, so the problem is with the SDRC setup.
The HL2 works fine with Thetis and I've very good reports, so the problem is with the SDRC setup.
PTT works (TX led goes on ) with tune button too.
When I look at the SDRC DSP pane I see the power output shoot to aro. 7W when tuning and the IPA to 300mA (see screenshot). Unfortunately the power goes down to zero immediately after.
The ALC stays steady on 100% which is of course too high and it closes the output power down. Why does the ALC behave like this (no such problem with Thetis) ?
I've followed all available instructions given by and others (activate PA, activate filter board etc.see 2nd screen shot) but I'm stuck.
I've followed all available instructions given by and others (activate PA, activate filter board etc.see 2nd screen shot) but I'm stuck.
Any suggestions ?
Many thanks in advance - Happy New Year to all of you.
K3EK / F5MWA
K3EK / F5MWA
Max
On Mon, Jan 2, 2023 at 12:31 PM, f5mwa wrote:
The "flick" to 7W and then quick die back is normal on SDRC. Not sure why it does it, but it's not an indicator of any power out.
To things:
(1) Please dock the TX DSP panel to the right, then send a FULL screenshot of SDRC in the "fault" condition that also shows the HL2 "Radio" panel on the left and also the TX audio in "scope" on the TX DSP panel. Like the one I am attaching to this message.
(2) You don't show the "Radio" panel in any of your screenshots, but do you have the power turned up where I have ringed in my screenshot. And also, as Mag Loop Simon says, you don't have any Drive (on the TX DSP panel), so that will also prevent power. Depending on how you have it set, "Tune" can reset to Drive zero after a set time period of receive (usually 10 seconds).
(2) This is somewhat counter-intuitive, but HL2 will not output any power in SDRC if you do not have a stable 48kHz audio source connected to the audio in on the TX DSP panel. No, not even in "Tune" or Tone" mode! Make sure you have a valid 48kHz audio source connected.
Your TX "Options" all look correct so don't think any issue there.
73
Max
In Tune mode yes, the ALC does sit at 100%. That's normal. It's only over 100% that the ALC will begin to close the power down.PTT works (TX led goes on ) with tune button too.When I look at the SDRC DSP pane I see the power output shoot to aro. 7W when tuning and the IPA to 300mA (see screenshot). Unfortunately the power goes down to zero immediately after.The ALC stays steady on 100% which is of course too high and it closes the output power down.
The "flick" to 7W and then quick die back is normal on SDRC. Not sure why it does it, but it's not an indicator of any power out.
To things:
(1) Please dock the TX DSP panel to the right, then send a FULL screenshot of SDRC in the "fault" condition that also shows the HL2 "Radio" panel on the left and also the TX audio in "scope" on the TX DSP panel. Like the one I am attaching to this message.
(2) You don't show the "Radio" panel in any of your screenshots, but do you have the power turned up where I have ringed in my screenshot. And also, as Mag Loop Simon says, you don't have any Drive (on the TX DSP panel), so that will also prevent power. Depending on how you have it set, "Tune" can reset to Drive zero after a set time period of receive (usually 10 seconds).
(2) This is somewhat counter-intuitive, but HL2 will not output any power in SDRC if you do not have a stable 48kHz audio source connected to the audio in on the TX DSP panel. No, not even in "Tune" or Tone" mode! Make sure you have a valid 48kHz audio source connected.
Your TX "Options" all look correct so don't think any issue there.
73
Max
f5mwa
Hello Max and Magloop Simon,
Nothing works until now. the drive was zero on the picture because it went down
as soon as I activated the Tune button..
OP in the main panel is at its max. value.
I can see the audio on the audio spectrum, the mike works well (it works with
Thetis). When I push the TX button on the DSP panel, I see the audio working properly, the tune audio signal is well there. The drive is set correctly, the ALC is 100% and IPA is 400 mA. The filters are correctly set.
In LSB mode I can see the audio and the Ipa shooting up.
One would think that all works properly but I still have no output power.
My antenna has a 1.1:1 SWR, so I have no mismatch. I do not see any reason why
SDRC does not work.
Here the last picture. I guess I'll be stuck with Thetis and must give up SDRC (very sorry for that)
unless Simon comes up with a solution.
Many thanks for your efforts - 73
Ezio
K3EK / F5MWA
Max
Which version of SDR Console are you running? It's odd you don't seem to get the HL2 Gateware version and PA temperature as shown in my screenshot (attached)? That makes me think you are running an old version of SDRC?
Suggest you download both the latest Gateware on HL2 and also the latest SDRC download from Simon's site. I suggest you use Simon's latest SDRC Beta. It's fully stable with HL2:
https://www.sdr-radio.com/download#Release
Also, at 400mA I too get very little power out. What happens when you advance the drive to 100%? You only have it on 48%? On 100% my IPA is around 1200mA, and then I see around 4W power out (power is on the low side on my particular HL2). You don't need to worry about the HL2 PA. It's bomb proof!
I suggest you use Simon's latest SDRC Beta. It's fully stable with HL2:
https://www.sdr-radio.com/download#Release
Max
Suggest you download both the latest Gateware on HL2 and also the latest SDRC download from Simon's site. I suggest you use Simon's latest SDRC Beta. It's fully stable with HL2:
https://www.sdr-radio.com/download#Release
Also, at 400mA I too get very little power out. What happens when you advance the drive to 100%? You only have it on 48%? On 100% my IPA is around 1200mA, and then I see around 4W power out (power is on the low side on my particular HL2). You don't need to worry about the HL2 PA. It's bomb proof!
I suggest you use Simon's latest SDRC Beta. It's fully stable with HL2:
https://www.sdr-radio.com/download#Release
Max
jdow
Do you have a really bad case of RF in the schack?
{^_^}
On 20230102 04:31:21, f5mwa wrote:
Hello everybody,After solving some initial receiver problems (sensitivity - but it was my fault because of antenna mismatch) I'm now trying to have the HL2 working on transmit with SDRConsole.However I'm not able to get any power output.
The HL2 works fine with Thetis and I've very good reports, so the problem is with the SDRC setup.
PTT works (TX led goes on ) with tune button too.When I look at the SDRC DSP pane I see the power output shoot to aro. 7W when tuning and the IPA to 300mA (see screenshot). Unfortunately the power goes down to zero immediately after.The ALC stays steady on 100% which is of course too high and it closes the output power down. Why does the ALC behave like this (no such problem with Thetis) ?
I've followed all available instructions given by and others (activate PA, activate filter board etc.see 2nd screen shot) but I'm stuck.
Any suggestions ?
Many thanks in advance - Happy New Year to all of you.
K3EK / F5MWA
Screenshot _4_.png
Screenshot-2023-01-02-130353.jpeg
FWIW 100% on ALC is what you should look for, this indicates you're fully modulating.
I'll read your post in more detail later today.
From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> on behalf of f5mwa via groups.io <f5mwa@...>
Sent: 02 January 2023 12:31
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io>
Subject: [SDR-Radio] SDRC with Hermes Lite 2 - No output power
Sent: 02 January 2023 12:31
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io>
Subject: [SDR-Radio] SDRC with Hermes Lite 2 - No output power
Hello everybody,
PTT works (TX led goes on ) with tune button too.
Any suggestions ?
After solving some initial receiver problems (sensitivity - but it was my fault because of antenna mismatch) I'm now trying to have the HL2 working on transmit with SDRConsole.
However I'm not able to get any power output.
The HL2 works fine with Thetis and I've very good reports, so the problem is with the SDRC setup.
The HL2 works fine with Thetis and I've very good reports, so the problem is with the SDRC setup.
PTT works (TX led goes on ) with tune button too.
When I look at the SDRC DSP pane I see the power output shoot to aro. 7W when tuning and the IPA to 300mA (see screenshot). Unfortunately the power goes down to zero immediately after.
The ALC stays steady on 100% which is of course too high and it closes the output power down. Why does the ALC behave like this (no such problem with Thetis) ?
I've followed all available instructions given by and others (activate PA, activate filter board etc.see 2nd screen shot) but I'm stuck.
I've followed all available instructions given by and others (activate PA, activate filter board etc.see 2nd screen shot) but I'm stuck.
Any suggestions ?
Many thanks in advance - Happy New Year to all of you.
K3EK / F5MWA
K3EK / F5MWA
--
- + - + -
Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.
f5mwa
Hello Simon and Max (and
Mag loop Simon),
Many thanks for your feedback.
As you may see from the screenshot, I flashed the latest Gateware and the SDRC I installed is the last one 3.2.
Strange things happen. Sometimes tha IPA goes up to 800mA when tuning. The Gateware version does not appear always.
I really hope that Simon has the right hint for me. Or my computer has a problem digesting SDRC.
Computer : HP Elite Desk 800 G1 - Core I7. 3.2 GHz - 8Gb memory 250G SSD.
Thanks in advance for your help
Ezio - F5MWA / K3EK
Many thanks for your feedback.
As you may see from the screenshot, I flashed the latest Gateware and the SDRC I installed is the last one 3.2.
Strange things happen. Sometimes tha IPA goes up to 800mA when tuning. The Gateware version does not appear always.
I really hope that Simon has the right hint for me. Or my computer has a problem digesting SDRC.
Computer : HP Elite Desk 800 G1 - Core I7. 3.2 GHz - 8Gb memory 250G SSD.
Thanks in advance for your help
Ezio - F5MWA / K3EK
So,
If you don't see the Gateware you have an issue with the comms.
- Please dock the Transmit DSP, don't leave it floating, it can hide interesting information.
- Transmit information looks OK, if sending pulses then you'll actually have a peak output of roughly twice what may be indicated.
- I need Max or another HL2 user to compare their screenshot with yours.
From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> on behalf of f5mwa via groups.io <f5mwa@...>
Sent: 03 January 2023 07:25
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io>
Subject: Re: [SDR-Radio] SDRC with Hermes Lite 2 - No output power
Sent: 03 January 2023 07:25
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io>
Subject: Re: [SDR-Radio] SDRC with Hermes Lite 2 - No output power
Hello Simon and Max (and Mag loop Simon),
Many thanks for your feedback.
As you may see from the screenshot, I flashed the latest Gateware and the SDRC I installed is the last one 3.2.
Strange things happen. Sometimes tha IPA goes up to 800mA when tuning. The Gateware version does not appear always.
I really hope that Simon has the right hint for me. Or my computer has a problem digesting SDRC.
Computer : HP Elite Desk 800 G1 - Core I7. 3.2 GHz - 8Gb memory 250G SSD.
Thanks in advance for your help
Ezio - F5MWA / K3EK
Many thanks for your feedback.
As you may see from the screenshot, I flashed the latest Gateware and the SDRC I installed is the last one 3.2.
Strange things happen. Sometimes tha IPA goes up to 800mA when tuning. The Gateware version does not appear always.
I really hope that Simon has the right hint for me. Or my computer has a problem digesting SDRC.
Computer : HP Elite Desk 800 G1 - Core I7. 3.2 GHz - 8Gb memory 250G SSD.
Thanks in advance for your help
Ezio - F5MWA / K3EK
--
- + - + -
Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.
Max
On Tue, Jan 3, 2023 at 07:26 AM, f5mwa wrote:
I am now not seeing anything abnormal about your screenshot. I have set mine to Drive Level 80 like yours and like you, I see about 1.5W out. A lot of the power out in HL2 comes in the last 20% of the drive control. Why do you not advance the drive to 100% to see what the power output is then?
So in short, I don't see any problems from the information on your screenshot. When you apply the drive you get a rise in IPA and corresponding rise in output power to the expected value. I repeat from my earlier post, that IPA on mine when in "Tune" mode is 1200mA at 4.5W output. The only thing is you seem reluctant to advance the Drive control to 100% for some reason? Don't worry about the PA. I've totally abused mine including in the early days running it direct into an unmatched wire at full power. It's still going two years later!
The only strange thing from your side is why the Gateware version sometimes does not appear on the Radio panel? I've never seen that myself. As Simon says, maybe points to a comms issue between HL2 and the PC? Out of interest, do you have a wi-fi link somewhere in your Ethernet chain? You need to be fully wired connection all the way through or there can be issues, as documented on the Hermes Lite Google Group. For testing, I'd connect HL2 direct with LAN cable direct to PC, though I've always used mine via a Netgear hub/switch and never had any issues at all. But I've always used wired, not wi-fi anywhere in the link.
Also for info (although I don't think it will make any difference to SDRC) my Gateware is 73.2 versus yours 72.8 but I really don't think that's an issue as far as I recall, although there may be some teaks to the networking so it's still worth updating just in case. You can very easily flash new Gateware using the built-in tool in SparkSDR. Here's the latest stable version 73p2:
https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/blob/master/gateware/bitfiles/stable/20210730_73p2/hl2b5up_main/hl2b5up_main.rbf
73
Max
Strange things happen. Sometimes tha IPA goes up to 800mA when tuning. The Gateware version does not appear always.Hi Ezio
I am now not seeing anything abnormal about your screenshot. I have set mine to Drive Level 80 like yours and like you, I see about 1.5W out. A lot of the power out in HL2 comes in the last 20% of the drive control. Why do you not advance the drive to 100% to see what the power output is then?
So in short, I don't see any problems from the information on your screenshot. When you apply the drive you get a rise in IPA and corresponding rise in output power to the expected value. I repeat from my earlier post, that IPA on mine when in "Tune" mode is 1200mA at 4.5W output. The only thing is you seem reluctant to advance the Drive control to 100% for some reason? Don't worry about the PA. I've totally abused mine including in the early days running it direct into an unmatched wire at full power. It's still going two years later!
The only strange thing from your side is why the Gateware version sometimes does not appear on the Radio panel? I've never seen that myself. As Simon says, maybe points to a comms issue between HL2 and the PC? Out of interest, do you have a wi-fi link somewhere in your Ethernet chain? You need to be fully wired connection all the way through or there can be issues, as documented on the Hermes Lite Google Group. For testing, I'd connect HL2 direct with LAN cable direct to PC, though I've always used mine via a Netgear hub/switch and never had any issues at all. But I've always used wired, not wi-fi anywhere in the link.
Also for info (although I don't think it will make any difference to SDRC) my Gateware is 73.2 versus yours 72.8 but I really don't think that's an issue as far as I recall, although there may be some teaks to the networking so it's still worth updating just in case. You can very easily flash new Gateware using the built-in tool in SparkSDR. Here's the latest stable version 73p2:
https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/blob/master/gateware/bitfiles/stable/20210730_73p2/hl2b5up_main/hl2b5up_main.rbf
73
Max
f5mwa
Hi Simon and Max,
The gateware is now correctly displayed. I'd flashed the most recent and stable one.
Max : I've connected the HL2 via Ethernet, no WiFi.
The value of Ipa is erratic. it goes from 200mA to 800mA.
In the attachment 4 screenshots. I really have tried all possible setups with no avail.
Thetis works fine although more complex than SDRC. I'd told myself
that if I was able to have the HL2 working with Thetis I'd have been able to use SDRC for
I expected to be easier to implement. Well, I was wrong ! ?
Thanks for taking your time Simon, I really would like to succeed in having my HL2 working with SDRC.
73 - Ezio F5MWA / K3EK
envoyé : 3 janvier 2023 à 08:31
de : Simon Brown <simon@...>
à : "main@SDR-Radio.groups.io" <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io>
objet : Re: [SDR-Radio] SDRC with Hermes Lite 2 - No output powerSo,
If you don't see the Gateware you have an issue with the comms.
- Please dock the Transmit DSP, don't leave it floating, it can hide interesting information.
- Transmit information looks OK, if sending pulses then you'll actually have a peak output of roughly twice what may be indicated.
- I need Max or another HL2 user to compare their screenshot with yours.
From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> on behalf of f5mwa via groups.io <f5mwa@...>
Sent: 03 January 2023 07:25
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io>
Subject: Re: [SDR-Radio] SDRC with Hermes Lite 2 - No output powerHello Simon and Max (and Mag loop Simon),
Many thanks for your feedback.
As you may see from the screenshot, I flashed the latest Gateware and the SDRC I installed is the last one 3.2.
Strange things happen. Sometimes tha IPA goes up to 800mA when tuning. The Gateware version does not appear always.
I really hope that Simon has the right hint for me. Or my computer has a problem digesting SDRC.
Computer : HP Elite Desk 800 G1 - Core I7. 3.2 GHz - 8Gb memory 250G SSD.
Thanks in advance for your help
Ezio - F5MWA / K3EK
--- + - + -Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.
Max
On Tue, Jan 3, 2023 at 04:09 PM, f5mwa wrote:
This is a great pity to abandon SDRC because it's a great a partner for the HL2. It just has to be a configuration issue of some sort.
In the screen shots you have sent, there's two things you have set differently to me:
1: You seem to have an external radio enabled? Wonder why? I never have done. However, I just tried enabling the panel (I don't have an external radio) and it made no odds, but try disabling it anyway to check.
2: In the TX Options, you have selected "disable PTT in Low Power mode". However, I am sure this only applies with the PA deactivated (i.e. for full duplex). I've actually tried with it selected and it did not affect normal operation so I don't think it's that either, but try it unchecked.
The fact you say IPA fluctuates (presumably you mean with Tune selected and without changing the Drive control?) and this seems to me to indicate a data steaming issue. I would try on another PC as a check if the problem persists?
I cannot state how important this is, but are you 100% sure that you are feeding a 48kHz audio source to the mic/audio input? We've had many on here that don't realise they are feeding 44.1kHz audio to the audio input. For example, some headsets (Plantronic I think is one) will only ever generate 44.1kHz audio. Simon takes clock from the audio input. If you don't have a solid 48kHz source selected (or on your soundcard if it's an analogue mic input) then this WILL cause issues, quite possibly the ones you are experiencing.
I'm sure you know how to do this, but you need to go to "Recording" tab in "Audio Devices" in Windows (Windows Run dialogue then type "mmsys.cpl" without the quotation marks to bring up the correct panel) and check sample rate for the source you are using to feed audio. See my attachment. As an experiment just to be sure, select any other 48kHz audio source to the audio input of SDRC, even if you think the Woodbrass is working correctly. I do seem to remember that some USB mics have given issues in the past.
73
Max
Hi EzioThetis works fine although more complex than SDRC. I'd told myself
that if I was able to have the HL2 working with Thetis I'd have been able to use SDRC for
I expected to be easier to implement. Well, I was wrong ! ?
This is a great pity to abandon SDRC because it's a great a partner for the HL2. It just has to be a configuration issue of some sort.
In the screen shots you have sent, there's two things you have set differently to me:
1: You seem to have an external radio enabled? Wonder why? I never have done. However, I just tried enabling the panel (I don't have an external radio) and it made no odds, but try disabling it anyway to check.
2: In the TX Options, you have selected "disable PTT in Low Power mode". However, I am sure this only applies with the PA deactivated (i.e. for full duplex). I've actually tried with it selected and it did not affect normal operation so I don't think it's that either, but try it unchecked.
The fact you say IPA fluctuates (presumably you mean with Tune selected and without changing the Drive control?) and this seems to me to indicate a data steaming issue. I would try on another PC as a check if the problem persists?
I cannot state how important this is, but are you 100% sure that you are feeding a 48kHz audio source to the mic/audio input? We've had many on here that don't realise they are feeding 44.1kHz audio to the audio input. For example, some headsets (Plantronic I think is one) will only ever generate 44.1kHz audio. Simon takes clock from the audio input. If you don't have a solid 48kHz source selected (or on your soundcard if it's an analogue mic input) then this WILL cause issues, quite possibly the ones you are experiencing.
I'm sure you know how to do this, but you need to go to "Recording" tab in "Audio Devices" in Windows (Windows Run dialogue then type "mmsys.cpl" without the quotation marks to bring up the correct panel) and check sample rate for the source you are using to feed audio. See my attachment. As an experiment just to be sure, select any other 48kHz audio source to the audio input of SDRC, even if you think the Woodbrass is working correctly. I do seem to remember that some USB mics have given issues in the past.
73
Max
f5mwa
Hi Max,
Just updated the Gateware to 73.2 like yours. I also unchecked the external radio and checked the audio sample rate. It was at 48.000 as you may see from the picture.
Things have changed, now I get some output power (see second screenshot) but the SWR shoots to astronomical values (fs).
There is no reason for that, because the same antenna and amplifier are used with Thetis and work fine.
Why would I have all of a sudden such a high SWR ?
My antenna has 1.1:1 on this frequency with Thetis and over 4 with SDRC ?
I'm going to try another computer tomorrow. Today I had eye surgery, so I could not work a lot on the problem.
Thanks again for helping me out with SDRC.
73
Ezio K3EK / F5MWA
Max
On Wed, Jan 4, 2023 at 06:15 PM, f5mwa wrote:
Hi Ezio
Very pleased you finally see some decent power. I also note you have audio set to single channel 48kHz. Simon will need to comment on this. I always have mine set to 2 channel. I know there has been some conversation on this but I can't remember the outcome, but I've never had any issue using 2 channel. Perhaps Simon will comment on this one. As it's a mono mic I think if you set 2 channel mode it will apply full audio equally to both channels. I don't have a USB mic so I can't really comment on this one. I have mono analogue mic to an outboard USB sound interface (Behringer UMC202HD). I always get very complimentary audio reports.
Regarding the high SWR, I'm sorry but I've never seen anything other than predictable behaviour here from SDRC. I have outboard SWR meter and it agrees well with the SDRC SWR meter. Of course it's not identical, but I've never seen anything like the discrepancy that you see here. Silly question, but are you sure the antenna was plugged in during this screenshot?! What does outboard SWR meter read? Maybe re-check your cable routing? Something that springs to mind is if your HL2 has the RX Only socket fitted (RF3), and you have antenna plugged into this in error? If so, you would see exactly this behaviour, i.e. RX would be normal but TX would be to the empty RF1 (ANT) socket, hence the high SWR. Sorry, other than that I can't help with this one, but I think it's definitely a hardware issue?
I note a few times you mention the ALC reading. Just to say I think Simon will confirm, this is not the same as an ALC meter on an analogue rig, where you don't want to see any significant ALC at all. On this software, it's totally normal to see the ALC go to 100%. I think it's more of a "modulation meter" than a true ALC, so it's readings over 100% it's better to avoid. Simon may say I have this wrong! Simon?
Certainly I take my to 100% on speech peaks and I've monitored my signal out and it's totally clean and has great audio quality. I will now stand by to be shot down in flames!
73
Max
Things have changed, now I get some output power (see second screenshot) but the SWR shoots to astronomical values (fs).
There is no reason for that, because the same antenna and amplifier are used with Thetis and work fine.
Why would I have all of a sudden such a high SWR ?
Hi Ezio
Very pleased you finally see some decent power. I also note you have audio set to single channel 48kHz. Simon will need to comment on this. I always have mine set to 2 channel. I know there has been some conversation on this but I can't remember the outcome, but I've never had any issue using 2 channel. Perhaps Simon will comment on this one. As it's a mono mic I think if you set 2 channel mode it will apply full audio equally to both channels. I don't have a USB mic so I can't really comment on this one. I have mono analogue mic to an outboard USB sound interface (Behringer UMC202HD). I always get very complimentary audio reports.
Regarding the high SWR, I'm sorry but I've never seen anything other than predictable behaviour here from SDRC. I have outboard SWR meter and it agrees well with the SDRC SWR meter. Of course it's not identical, but I've never seen anything like the discrepancy that you see here. Silly question, but are you sure the antenna was plugged in during this screenshot?! What does outboard SWR meter read? Maybe re-check your cable routing? Something that springs to mind is if your HL2 has the RX Only socket fitted (RF3), and you have antenna plugged into this in error? If so, you would see exactly this behaviour, i.e. RX would be normal but TX would be to the empty RF1 (ANT) socket, hence the high SWR. Sorry, other than that I can't help with this one, but I think it's definitely a hardware issue?
I note a few times you mention the ALC reading. Just to say I think Simon will confirm, this is not the same as an ALC meter on an analogue rig, where you don't want to see any significant ALC at all. On this software, it's totally normal to see the ALC go to 100%. I think it's more of a "modulation meter" than a true ALC, so it's readings over 100% it's better to avoid. Simon may say I have this wrong! Simon?
Certainly I take my to 100% on speech peaks and I've monitored my signal out and it's totally clean and has great audio quality. I will now stand by to be shot down in flames!
73
Max
f5mwa
Hi Max,
Wait a moment....with Thetis I've the receiver antenna (ANT) as the main output/input. You mean that I should use the other one (RF1) with SDRC ? !
It's specified that RF1 should be used only with a transverter :
"This is the low power RF output, max 17dBm. It is used in full-duplex mode such as
required for transverters. RF1 is the low power output and ANT becomes the dedicated
receive input."
I can try but to be careful I'll put a dummy load on the ANT output.
As for the antenna, as I said before, I only switch to SRDC after using Thetis and with the latter I've no such SWR. I've a Bird Wattmeter and the crossneedle display of my LDG antenna tuner. Both agree that my ant works fine.
I do not think the second audio channel is needed because I clearly see the audio signal on the DSP spectrum
display when tuning and the mike signal when modulating.
Again many thanks for your time spent with me
73
Ezio K3EK / F5MWA
Wait a moment....with Thetis I've the receiver antenna (ANT) as the main output/input. You mean that I should use the other one (RF1) with SDRC ? !
It's specified that RF1 should be used only with a transverter :
"This is the low power RF output, max 17dBm. It is used in full-duplex mode such as
required for transverters. RF1 is the low power output and ANT becomes the dedicated
receive input."
I can try but to be careful I'll put a dummy load on the ANT output.
As for the antenna, as I said before, I only switch to SRDC after using Thetis and with the latter I've no such SWR. I've a Bird Wattmeter and the crossneedle display of my LDG antenna tuner. Both agree that my ant works fine.
I do not think the second audio channel is needed because I clearly see the audio signal on the DSP spectrum
display when tuning and the mike signal when modulating.
Again many thanks for your time spent with me
73
Ezio K3EK / F5MWA
Max
On Thu, Jan 5, 2023 at 12:39 PM, f5mwa wrote:
However, as you say you use Thetis with low displayed SWR and also confirmed by the Bird, then the only thing you changed is the software, then my comments can be ignored. I was just exploring all the possible issues just in case we missed the obvious.
In this case then, I honestly have no idea how the SWR could show off the scale with SDRC while the Bird shows it perfectly OK. There's just no logic to that and I'm afraid I'm out of ideas! I can only say I (and quite a few others on here) use HL2 with no issues so I'm not sure what's causing the problems with your one. It's a pity. As I say I think SDC is a really great match for the HL2 and I've never been tempted to use any other software with it. Such a pity we cannot seem to get to the bottom of your issues.
I guess another path would be a total uninstall and reinstall of SDRC?
https://www.sdr-radio.com/reset
73
Max
Wait a moment....with Thetis I've the receiver antenna (ANT) as the main output/input. You mean that I should use the other one (RF1) with SDRC ? !Many apologies. ANT is RF2 and as you say RF1 is the low power output, so what I actually meant was.......... check RF2 (ANT) is not empty in error. Sorry for the confusion. You most likely don't have RF3 (separate receive only) fitted anyway as that's an owner addition. I just did not know if you were the original owner of your HL2 or from a previous owner who might have added the RF3.
However, as you say you use Thetis with low displayed SWR and also confirmed by the Bird, then the only thing you changed is the software, then my comments can be ignored. I was just exploring all the possible issues just in case we missed the obvious.
In this case then, I honestly have no idea how the SWR could show off the scale with SDRC while the Bird shows it perfectly OK. There's just no logic to that and I'm afraid I'm out of ideas! I can only say I (and quite a few others on here) use HL2 with no issues so I'm not sure what's causing the problems with your one. It's a pity. As I say I think SDC is a really great match for the HL2 and I've never been tempted to use any other software with it. Such a pity we cannot seem to get to the bottom of your issues.
I guess another path would be a total uninstall and reinstall of SDRC?
https://www.sdr-radio.com/reset
73
Max
f5mwa
Hi Max,
This afternoon I tried with another computer but I had the same results. The ALC shoots to FS and stays there as soon as I increase the drive and have a decent output power.
I'll try a few more things but I feel I'm now in a blind alley....
I hope Simon comes up with a hint.
Thanks again for your efforts to solve my problem.
73
Ezio - K3EK / F5MWA
This afternoon I tried with another computer but I had the same results. The ALC shoots to FS and stays there as soon as I increase the drive and have a decent output power.
I'll try a few more things but I feel I'm now in a blind alley....
I hope Simon comes up with a hint.
Thanks again for your efforts to solve my problem.
73
Ezio - K3EK / F5MWA
Max
On Thu, Jan 5, 2023 at 08:23 PM, f5mwa wrote:
The ALC shoots to FS and stays there as soon as I increase the drive and have a decent output power.
Hi Ezio
I guess you mean SWR shots to full scale, not ALC?
I am actually wondering if this could be a hardware issue, not software, and that SDRC and Thetis are interpreting it different in some way.
On the Hermes Lite Google Group I just read a couple of posts. Firstly, can you confirm you are definitely running the correct version of Thetis for the HL2? As I understand it the only correct version is the one adapted by Reid
Gi8TME/Mi0BOT? If you are not running that version it might explain discrepancies between SWR reading in Thetis and SDRC. To quote Steve Haynal from that group:
"Are you running the MI0BOT's version of Thetis with proper calculations for SWR on the Hermes-Lite?"
So have you downloaded the correct version of Thetis and been through that setup page on Hermes Lite Wiki?
If you can confirm that, then also I see this on today's posts:
Also, what is the (no TX) resting bias current on the SDRC IPA meter? Did you ever change the bias after receiving the HL2, or did you obtain HL2 pre-owned from another party, so they might have messed with the bias current, especially the balance between the two PA transistors? If you have any doubts here, I can give link to setting bias current and balance correctly using SparkSDR, In fact it may be worth checking anyway.
So some more things to look at!
Max
jdow
It occurs to me that some 50 ohm 5 watt dummy loads might provide you with some good tests. Place one on each RF input and output. Then you have known test conditions and can work from there. Beating it to death with the presumption of a software problem is making a very broad assumption. If it works with the dummy loads THEN diagnose which RF connector is being used for TX and for RX. Also place a volt meter on the power supply and see what it is doing.
Of course, I am perhaps rather rashly, assuming there is no RF feedback in the shack and all the cables are good.
{o.o}
On 20230105 13:42:15, Max wrote:
On Thu, Jan 5, 2023 at 08:23 PM, f5mwa wrote:
The ALC shoots to FS and stays there as soon as I increase the drive and have a decent output power.Hi EzioI guess you mean SWR shots to full scale, not ALC?I am actually wondering if this could be a hardware issue, not software, and that SDRC and Thetis are interpreting it different in some way.On the Hermes Lite Google Group I just read a couple of posts. Firstly, can you confirm you are definitely running the correct version of Thetis for the HL2? As I understand it the only correct version is the one adapted by ReidGi8TME/Mi0BOT? If you are not running that version it might explain discrepancies between SWR reading in Thetis and SDRC. To quote Steve Haynal from that group:"Are you running the MI0BOT's version of Thetis with proper calculations for SWR on the Hermes-Lite?"So have you downloaded the correct version of Thetis and been through that setup page on Hermes Lite Wiki?If you can confirm that, then also I see this on today's posts:Also, what is the (no TX) resting bias current on the SDRC IPA meter? Did you ever change the bias after receiving the HL2, or did you obtain HL2 pre-owned from another party, so they might have messed with the bias current, especially the balance between the two PA transistors? If you have any doubts here, I can give link to setting bias current and balance correctly using SparkSDR, In fact it may be worth checking anyway.So some more things to look at!Max