It has often been stated, by both Elecraft and our customers, that we leverage user input as we flesh out new products. In this article I'll clarify our development model, hopefully elevating it above hearsay. It's intentional and methodical. We like to think it's one of the things that makes Elecraft unique among well-known amateur radio brands.
* * * The design of commercial gear is subject to many constraints. It has to meet user expectations, earn type acceptance, do well in performance benchmarks, and yet be fairly priced. To varying degrees it must also satisfy a universal requirement for communications gear: it should be usable during emergencies to support local or regional traffic. (For some of us, knowing we might be called upon as the last resort in difficult times motivates us to keep our equipment and skills fresh.) Most use of our gear is by hobbyists, so an additional set of requirements comes into play. For example, a radio has to be enjoyable to operate. If it's a kit, it must be rewarding and educational to build. We take this two steps further. First, we believe that our customers -- the real experts when it comes to using ham gear -- are a rich source of creative and technical input. Second, we recognize that since this is a hobby, the road is just as important as the destination. In other words, we want to share the *process* of product design with our customers, not just plant a stake in the ground and say "this is what we've done; take it or leave it." To this end, at the onset of a new product cycle we imagine the hardware and firmware as an elastic canvas upon which we and our customers can sketch and refine ideas. This means products must be endowed with a great degree of modularity; we have to leave spaces that can be filled in the future, firing the imagination of users. Here's a musical analogy: If you've ever listened to jazz trumpeter Miles Davis play, you'll notice some gaps between his phrases. These allow listeners to engage with his music, completing their part of the conversation. The result? You work a bit harder at it, but come away more satisfied. (Don't get me started on the Key of Morse.) What this means in practice is that we take continuous customer input, weight it, adjust firmware implementation priority, and revise or extend hardware over time. Let me give you two examples of how this has played out. K2 The K2 was the test case for our "canvas" development model. To ensure flexibility, we designed intermodule communications around a 1-wire bus -- the auxBus -- which we routed to every option connector in the radio. These connectors were strategically distributed to nodes where they could pick up supply voltages, control, and RF or audio paths. The idea was that each module would have its own small MCU, hanging on the auxBus, where it could exchange information with the main MCU. We then started shipping the K2 to early adopters, soliciting their input on what they'd like to see next. I can't claim that this process was entirely democratic, and in truth it was messy at times. But the upshot was that we quickly followed with new K2 options and firmware features in an order that gave users a vote. When 60 meters came on the scene, we added a module for that as well. Here's where the auxBus comes in: On power-up, each option module checks in with the main MCU, reporting its status. But the MCU needn't know every detail of how modules function. For example, when you go into the menu entry for the K2's ATU (KAT2), the text for the various settings is supplied by the KAT2's own MCU, over the auxBus. If you update the ATU module to one that has different settings, the main MCU doesn't have to be updated -- just the KAT2 itself. The main MCU thus functions as a "server" for semantic information supplied by each of the option modules. The K2 is also an exemplar of hardware flexibility, embodied in something we called the 2D fastener. This is a short length of 1/4" aluminum bar with three tapped 4-40 holes that permits attachment of PC boards, sheet metal, and hardware. Over the years we and our customers have taken advantage of 2D fasteners to upgrade or enhance products. Our seafaring customers helped us migrate to all stainless-steel hardware at some point, facilitated by 2D fasteners as generic attachment points. Shortly after we thought we'd fully populated the K2 with options, we were contacted by Lyle Johnson, KK7P. Lyle had reverse-engineered the auxBus node associated with our KAF2 analog audio filter module, where he inserted his own: the KDSP2, a DSP-based audio filter complete with noise reduction. This is an extreme case of tapping community creativity. In addition to adding the KDSP2 to our product line, we added Lyle to our engineering staff. One final note about the K2 and extensibility. Once we had accumulated a number of useful upgrades, we created an "A" to "B" conversion kit. This was the genesis of our promise to provide an upgrade path for every owner of our transceivers so they can remain current. K3 The K3, with its larger MCU and plenty of interior space, has benefitted from many suggestions by its user base over the 10 years since initial release. We phased in a high-performance sub receiver, 2 meter transverter, enhanced ATU, DVR, SWL band-pass filter array, reference lock module, USB port for control/audio, and most significantly, an entirely new synthesizer design. As the phrase "competition-grade" evolved, the K3 continued to set the standard. Accessories have been added to the K-Line based on customer needs as well -- the P3 panadapter, KPA500 amp, KAT500 ATU, SP4 speaker, and K-Pod remote controller. All of these new modules and accessories were accompanied by hundreds of free firmware upgrades. Like the K2, the K3 underwent one major face-lift, in the form of the K3S. In keeping with our model, we offered just about everything but the "K3S" front panel bezel to those who wanted the latest in Elecraft tech. * * * Our first two decades have been a time of challenge, opportunity, and satisfaction for our team. Reflecting on this time, we need to thank our customers not just for their creativity and enthusiasm, but also for their patience. We've traveled the road together, bumps, potholes and all, and I hope you've all enjoyed the ride as much as we have. It goes without saying that our future products will continue to reflect our philosophy of community involvement and "hands-on" design. Here at Elecraft headquarters, we're already raising a toast to the next decade. Wayne, N6KR ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
