Connecting a Hermes Lite 2
The Hermes Lite 2 is a software-defined radio: it sends the shack computer raw samples of a slice of spectrum (48 kHz wide, or up to 384 kHz for a wider scope) and takes samples to transmit. The RemoteMyShack agent does the rest itself, so there's nothing else to install, and Quisk, SparkSDR or Thetis aren't needed.
Support for the Hermes Lite 2 is in beta. It's built from the openHPSDR protocol documents and tested against a simulator, but not yet with a real HL2. Meter readings in particular are approximate until they're calibrated. If something doesn't work, tell us.
What you need
- The HL2 and the shack computer on the same network. The agent finds it from its answer to the openHPSDR discovery request.
- No other program streaming from it. The HL2 talks to one program at a time, so close Quisk, SparkSDR or Thetis on every computer first.
Add the radio
- On the shack computer, open the agent's setup page and choose + Add another radio (or Add your radio the first time).
- Your HL2 is listed under Radios on this network. Select it, and the form switches to Hermes Lite 2. If it's marked in use, another program is streaming from it.
- If it isn't listed, choose Hermes Lite 2 under Radio and type its IP address.
- Choose Save & connect.
In the console
- Tuning, band and mode: USB, LSB, CW, AM, FM and RTTY. DATA mode works as USB or LSB.
- The spectrum and waterfall are centered on the receiver and update 25 times a second. The span buttons zoom from ±2.5 kHz to ±100 kHz; the console starts at ±25 kHz. For ±25 kHz and wider, the agent asks the radio for a wider slice: 96 kHz for ±25 kHz, 192 kHz for ±50 kHz, 384 kHz for ±100 kHz. That uses more of the shack computer's processor and network, and the audio drops out for a moment when you change between them.
- RF gain sets the HL2's receive gain (its LNA, -12 to +48 dB). Set how loud it plays with Volume.
- TX power sets the drive level. The HL2's top power is about 5 W.
- AGC is always on. There's no preamp, attenuator, noise blanker or noise reduction button, and no filter choice yet: SSB is 200 to 2800 Hz and CW 500 Hz wide.
- CW: the agent is the keyer. It keys the transmitter itself for the text you send, at the speed you set, so there's no break-in setting on the radio to worry about. See CW.
The HL2 has no power switch that can be reached over the network, so there's no power button in the console.
Troubleshooting
- The radio isn't listed. Check that it's on and on the same network as the shack computer, then type its IP address.
- "no I/Q from the radio". Another program is streaming from it, or it's off. Close the other program and the agent connects by itself.
- The audio is quiet or noisy. Adjust RF gain: too low and weak signals vanish, too high and strong ones overload the receiver.