[hpsdr] Follow-up on Hermes-Lite

[rodwall1234 at gmail.com]

Hi Steve,




I guess that if Herms Lite is firmware/software compatible with it’s big brother. I t can also be used as a VNA? At $150.00 for the hardware makes it a cheap VNA. Can Hermes Lite be used as a VNA?




Thanks,




Roderick Wall, vk3yc.



From: Steve Haynal
Sent: ‎Tuesday‎, ‎15‎ ‎April‎, ‎2014 ‎2‎:‎02‎ ‎PM
To: hpsdr at openhpsdr.org






Hello All,




I've read the comments and questions on the Hermes Lite and tried to capture my responses below.




* The jumper on the FPGA board selects whether the FPGA board is powered through the 80-pin connector or USB. This jumpered signal does run to the daughter board and in the next versionn should be controlled by the daughter board. There is a github issue recorded for this.




* The prototype has extra jumpers to provide flexibility to try different things. The next version of the PCB can reduce the number of jumpers.




* The power output is theoretically 100 mW, and even 200 mW if you tolerate some distortion. If have tested up to 50 mW as shown in the WSPR spots. I couldn't go up to 100 mW because I did not have a binocular core of the right size on hand to get the proper turns ratio. Eventually, I'd like to see a small amp integrated to make this more like a RXTX Ensemble.




* I agree that this project is not ready for general use as it is. Only the bravest should attempt to build the current version! I put it out there to see what would happen. Who knows what others can and will do... I have tried to capture everything I can think of that needs to be fixed/improved in the online github project issues list.




* There are unused pins from the FPGA that connect to the unused PCIE-like connector. These can be repurposed to provide some I/O and control in a next version. 




* Thanks to Rob, KL7NA, for keeping the demo going.




73,




Steve 

KF7O
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