[hpsdr] Hercules II

[Tim O'Rourke]

I would like to see this happen, I use the Hercules amp every day with fine results.
I would however like to have the T/R switching be incorporated in the amp. A better way maybe via the i2C buss.
I believe but can not confirm that the 25 conductor cabling can cause some issues and going to a 2 wire control scheme may take that out of the picture, makes a cleaner install for sure. With a little research the finals issue can be resolved easily. Maybe class E is the best solution.
I am not opposed to this being a kit either, winding toroids is not a big deal for me.

JM3CW Tim W4YN


-----Original Message-----
>From: Ronald Cox <w9kfb1 at mac.com>
>Sent: Jul 25, 2010 7:05 AM
>To: Gerd Loch <g.loch at nt-electronics.de>, Tom Holmes <n8zm at tapr.org>, Phil Harman <phil at pharman.org>
>Cc: HPSDR list <hpsdr at lists.openhpsdr.org>, David Poole <dlpoole at sbcglobal.net>
>Subject: [hpsdr] Hercules II
>
>***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
>
>To Gerd (DJ8AY), TAPR, and HPSDR leaders,
>
>I keep looking at the current offering of 100 Watt amplifiers for the HPSDR project and the one design I like best is the current Hercules.
>For a follow on project or to make this Amplifier the AMP of choice, for a Hercules II, recommended changes are proposed as follows:
>
>1. Use the same form factor as the Alex board set with the same mounting features, dimensions and match the input and output BNC connector locations exactly as applicable. Review the Alex design and use a modified version of it for incorporation into Hercules II for high performance RX and TX filtering. Place the heatsink so that the Pandora's cooling fan provisions will be effective in cooling the PAs. This would make Hercules II a drop in replacement for Alex in the Pandora box.
>
>2. Keep the automatic band switching from Penelope/Hermes and antenna tuner controls as is or improve them per experience with Hercules I. Have an english version of the monitor software available (I understand that this is being developed now).
>
>3. Resolve the current PA transistor availability and cost issues with a more cost effective modern PA design using FET's in a design similar to the state of the art used in Pennywhistle.
>
>4. Include the Antenna switch and the 6 meter LNA in the design.
>
>This would be a great step forward with HPSDR hardware.
>
>Ron W9KFB
>Indianapolis
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Tim O'Rourke 
W4YN at ARRL.Net
Low Power Amateur Radio Rocks 
Member of Flying Pigs,ARCI,GQRP,RSGB,ARRL Life Member
NHRA Life Member

 1280059922.0