[hpsdr] A Happy and Satisfied Customer.

[Jeff Cook]

Hello All,

Well, having had my HPSDR transceiver for a couple of weeks now, or 
thereabouts, and having installed firmware version 2.4, and having 
afixed a small fan directly behind that infamous IC, just snugly between 
Mercury and Penny I can honestly say that I am deriving a great deal of 
pleasure from using the kit.  The software is likewise a pleasure to 
use, and I've had great fun in teaming up Ham Radio Deluxe and PowerSDR, 
two excellent pieces of software in tandem.  My cup runneth over.  
Likewise linking MixW with PowerSDR using VAC and N8VBvCOM was a very 
pleasurable magical mystery tour, and it all works.

I have a noise eliminating in-line module made by the BHI company here 
in England, the model number is NEIM 1031, and coupling the line output 
from Mercury to the line input on the NEIM 1031 produces the lowest 
noise and highest quality SSB audio I have ever heard, they seem to be 
the perfect combination.  I assume that this is due to the low noise 
level inherent with SDR radios being rendered well-nigh perfect by the 
BHI unit.

I've had one prearranged QSO with a local Ham who was particularly 
impressed with the transmit audio quality.  So far my 500 mW CQ calls 
have gone unanswered, which brings me to a question, how is PennyWhistle 
coming along?  A further question, I've been thinking about using the 
output from Penelope to drive either the PA stages in my TS 830, or, 
alternatively to drive the driver in my 830, but to be honest apart from 
using a hit and hope technique, I've not really any idea as to how to go 
about this, have any of you any suggestions please.

I'm having no trouble in getting the full 500 mW, indeed if I'm not 
careful the software meter indicates as much as 800 mW, is this over 
straining the output device?

Once again my thanks to those whose largesse and generosity of time have 
combined to produce the nicest piece of radio ham kit for many a year.

Jeff Cook G0AFQ.