[hpsdr] HPSDR

[Jim Sanford]

All:
Some basic and weird questions from somebody who's been lurking for years:

Background:

I have been interested in HPSDR from the outset, and acquiring pieces 
along the way.  I now have:
     Atlas (not yet built, hands too shaky)
     Pandora and power supply
     Pennywhistle
     Mercury
     PennyLane
     Ozy
     Alex

Original intent was for HPSDR to be the HF rig in the house.  
Subsequently discovered RemoteRig, which lets me put the IC 706 at the 
tower (300 feet from the house), which gets me on HF and 2m/70cm (low 
performance) NOW, with only power ant CAT5 to the tower.    For 
completeness, RemoteRig accessories let me control a rotor, switch 
several power sources (or other switched "things"), and monitor 
something like 32 temperatures.  I can literally do it all, with only 
power and CAT5 to the tower.  Given how little I use HF, am considering 
using the 706 on HF, and repurposing the SDR for 6M - 10 GHz.

I see Metis is available for Ethernet interface to HPSDR instead of USB.

Questions:
1.  Is there a "getting started" document for somebody who has acquired 
the pieces but not opened the ESD bags (due to lack of time for hobby)?
2.  I've seen lots of firmware updates.  Is there a document which 
discusses how/why to update, and what is latest for each board?
3.  If I replace Ozy with Metis, how do audio, PTT, and CW Padle get to 
the SDR -- must I run 300 feet of wire, or is it all from the control 
computer to the SDR via ethernet? (Preferred)
4.  Can Atlis/Metis/Software support multiple receivers and 
transmitters, so that I could simultaneously be on 2m and the microwave 
band of choice?  Or would I need a completely different HPSDR "rig"?
5.  Anybody know of a competent individual/organization which could 
assemble the Atlas for me at a reasonable price?
6. /What else should I be asking that I'm not even smart enough to know 
to ask?/

Thanks & 73,
Jim
wb4gcs at amsat.org

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