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All:
<br>
<br>
I've been collecting HPSDR pieces over the years, but not had much
chance to do anything with them.
Hoping to do so this winter.<br>
<br>
In my ultimate end state vision, I'd like to be using HPSDR
components on HF/6m and possibly 2m with transverter, AND with
UHFSDR as IF for my microwave stack.
(I want separate 2m and microwave/uhf rigs, so that I can
independently run 2m liaison and whatever other vhf/uhf/microwave
band.)<br>
<br>
This leads to several questions, remember from a guy who's only
peripherally aware of what's been going on.
<br>
1. I have Metis, Penny, Pennywhistle, Linear power supply, Pandora,
Atlas, Mercury, Janus, and Ozy. It appears that I could use Atlas,
Janus, and Ozy to interface with UHFSDR, which wants a Flex1000-like
interface. Is this correct?
<br>
2. In the HPSDR documentation I read today, there was a reference
to an "Atlas-light" which would only take 2 boards (Janus/Ozy). Did
that ever come to fruition? If so, how do I get one?<br>
3. If 1 is true, could I use USB<==>Ethernet extenders to put
the equipment 300 feet away from the computer? (Acknowledge that I
might have to do something about geting audio out and back.) Any
experience with this?<br>
3. Separately, could I use a second Atlas, Metis, and
Mercury//penolope on HF, controlling over ethernet 300 feet away?
Any way to do I/Q in the computer and send audio on the ethernet
path?<br>
4. I have seen a bunch of traffic about updates to the various
board FPGAs, installed using Metis. Is there a guide out there
somewhere for somebody who's late to the party? While I'd be
inclined to assemble what I bought over the years as-is to avoid
corruption and to minimize variables in the system, the QuickStart
guide I read today suggests that the firmware versions may be
incompatible and I should update each board as soon as I install
it. What is the definitive answer on this?<br>
5. I've seen a lot of traffic on this reflector recently about the
new SVN and new versions of firmware and PowerSDR software. Is a
dedicated HPSDR version of PowerSDR still required? Where do I get
it? Is there a web-based access to board firmware or must I select
and download an SVN client?<br>
6. I see the info about multiple receivers in a single or multiple
Mercury boards. Is there an easy way to get the latest SINGLE
receiver version? I'd like to keep it simple initially. Multiple
receivers can come later.<br>
7. Excalibur is clearly a great way to get good frequency accuracy,
either through onboard TCXO or external GPS stabilized oscillator.
The METIS documentation <i>suggests</i> that it has all those
features, and Excalibur is not necessary. Can anyone confirm,
this? Especially, is the onboard TCXO as good as in Exclalibur?<br>
8. The documentation suggests that the line audio in and out are
600 ohm. I assume single-ended, since two channels are on 3 pins.
In my broadcast days a couple of centuries ago, we moved high
quality signals for miles on 600 ohm balanced lines. Does anyone
have any experience remoting HPSDR using 600 ohm balanced lines for
audio or for I/Q? If so, how did you transition from single-ended
to balanced -- the transformers I used to buy cheap are now
horrendously expensive.<br>
9. The QuickStart document specifies chapters of the Flex 5000
manual to read, which I did. Does the HPSDR version of PowerSDR
support the virtual comm port and virtual audio cables referred to
in the Flex manual?<br>
10. Any experience running one instance of PowerSDR for HPSDR and
another instance for "softrock" on the same computer at the same
time?<br>
11. Linux: I have a Linux computer which was given to me. Looks
capable, runs a RedHat flavor of linux. QuickStart guide suggests
Ubunto, which I'd be willing to install. This computer would live on
my network only to be able to move upgrades and communicate with the
HPSDR hardware. Question: What is minimum performance required of
this computer if I went with a Linux version of PowerSDR or other
SDR software?<br>
<br>
Thanks & very 73,
<br>
Jim
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:wb4gcs@amsat.org">wb4gcs@amsat.org</a>
<br>
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