It's all about the Software

Being new to SDR is fun but has it downsides. I am using a Hermes lite 2 with SDR Console and have been able to receive well on 10, 15,17,20, and 40 meters. I am trying to transmit through a usb connected mic with no progress. I have tried to tune and tone and don’t see anything on the spectrum display when I do. Are the settings for HL 2 with Windows 10 available online someplace I have not found? Simon’s site is great but I still get lost trying to set this up for the first time. Are there Windows settings I need to have? Do I need Virtual Audio Cables or some other software?
Appreciated,
Bonker

Bonker wrote: Wed Jan 01, 2025 5:17 am Being new to SDR is fun but has it downsides. I am using a Hermes lite 2 with SDR Console and have been able to receive well on 10, 15,17,20, and 40 meters. I am trying to transmit through a usb connected mic with no progress. I have tried to tune and tone and don’t see anything on the spectrum display when I do. Are the settings for HL 2 with Windows 10 available online someplace I have not found? Simon’s site is great but I still get lost trying to set this up for the first time. Are there Windows settings I need to have? Do I need Virtual Audio Cables or some other software?
Appreciated,
Bonker

You don't need a VAC if you can select the output of the USB mic on the TX DSP input panel. However, in the Audio Devices panel, you must set all sources and destinations to/from SDRC to be 48kHz or you may well see what you are seeing i.e. nothing, as the 48kHz is used as a clock in SDRC.

Hit the Windows key then type "Run" to bring up the Windows Run dialogue then enter "mmsys.cpl" (without the quotes) and hit enter to bring up Audio Devices panel, then in the Recording tab, find the USB Mic, double click on it (brings up the Properties) and set to 48kHz sample rate. This may solve your issue. I believe there are some USB mics that only offer 44.1kHz sample rate in which case you will need to plug a regular mic into the PC soundcard and set to 48kHz.

If it does not then post here (attached, not picture insert) a screenshot. Must be the full screenshot as generated by SDRC and showing the TX DSP panel, ideally in Tune mode, showing also the TX DSP panel spectrum display. Also in the Ribbon Bar at top, have the Home tab selected.

https://www.sdr-radio.com/screenshot

If you decide to go on and do FT8 or other digi-modes, the you will need a VAC of some sort or other. Most people find that VB-Audio VAC does the job.

Let us know how it goes.

Max

Also see here for some more notes pertaining to the HL2:

https://www.sdr-radio.com/hermes-lite-2

If no power output despite audio input then don't forget to enable the PA (as described in the link above). Also be aware that with the HL2 there are two places that affect the drive level, including the "OP Power" slider in the HL2 Radio panel (in RX DSP). I normally leave this one set to 100%.

Stick with it..... you will not regret it despite all the recommendations to use Thetis on the HL2 Google Group!

73

Max

i got it figured out. Thank you all

Bonker wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2025 1:37 am i got it figured out. Thank you all

Good to hear

Max