RE: [Elecraft] Firmware Stability
Heck I think the scanning bug that I found had already been fixed when I mentioned it. Wayne actually mentioned that they'd been working on that and he emailed me code in VERY short order. But that was also a time in which Elecraft had made it clear they were excited about the scan feature and they wanted help testing it. I often find that asking for features in the area that the software engineer is currently working is a good way to get things moved to the top of the list. When a guy is in tight an intimate with a section of code you're more apt to get something fixed in that area of the project than if you ask about something totally different. It's all about being flexible. I mean honestly at this point in time (if you choose to) each and every one of us is working for the elecraft software test department. You don't have to as you can stick on a firmware that makes you happy and the rig operates to a level on par and better than most other radios on the market. You can stick and be satisfied or you can go with the flow and grow with it. Thankfully many are true elecrafters and are willing to grow with the rig. I'll admit I didn't get to grow up through the ranks of a K2. My first elecraft rig was a K1. But I can assure you I will be building a K2 someday... Talk about a radio that has become VASTLY more than what it was when it first hit the market! And the guys with very early K2 serial numbers can buy the upgraded boards at a reasonable price and get the upgrades. Granted I've got things about the K3 I want changed here and there but I've got no complaints at all. My problem is I work in this industry and understand what it takes to get this stuff done... Maybe my expectations are too realistic... -Original Message- From: hank k8dd [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 1:32 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Firmware Stability - Original Message - From: "Brett Howard" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Actually it wasn't too long > ago that I was talking with Wayne when I'd had radio troubles and I'd > mentioned that I wished there was a way to erase memories. He mentioned > that he didn't understand why I'd want that when all I had to do was > just write something else back over the top of it. Mainly its just > cause I'm anal and like to have things clean and tidy Anyway he > decided it was a relatively simple fix and poof it showed up. That was > a fun one cause many other than myself appreciated that one. > > As well I had a slight problem in the way the scan feature worked. I > sent an email to Wayne mentioning that I was having an issue that was > very repeatable that resulted in the receiver being muted with no way to > get out of it other than starting scanning again until it stops or power > cycling the radio. There was a beta version of code that hadn't even > been released yet that Wayne emailed me and poof my problem was solved. I always wondered how things got to the top of the wish list! Receive Notifications of Incoming Messages Easily monitor multiple email accounts & access them with a click. Visit http://www.inbox.com/notifier and check it out! ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Firmware Stability
- Original Message - From: "Brett Howard" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Actually it wasn't too long ago that I was talking with Wayne when I'd had radio troubles and I'd mentioned that I wished there was a way to erase memories. He mentioned that he didn't understand why I'd want that when all I had to do was just write something else back over the top of it. Mainly its just cause I'm anal and like to have things clean and tidy Anyway he decided it was a relatively simple fix and poof it showed up. That was a fun one cause many other than myself appreciated that one. As well I had a slight problem in the way the scan feature worked. I sent an email to Wayne mentioning that I was having an issue that was very repeatable that resulted in the receiver being muted with no way to get out of it other than starting scanning again until it stops or power cycling the radio. There was a beta version of code that hadn't even been released yet that Wayne emailed me and poof my problem was solved. I always wondered how things got to the top of the wish list! Receive Notifications of Incoming Messages Easily monitor multiple email accounts & access them with a click. Visit http://www.inbox.com/notifier and check it out! ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Firmware Stability
On Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:03:51 -0500, Bob, K9PAG wrote: >I am sitting here with K3 #818 with firmware release 1.7X waiting a version of >the K3 firmware to stabilize and be around for longer than a few days before a >new version or new Bata development is released. Sort of like tracking a >moving target that never stops moving. I have noticed the frequency of >firmware releases does not seem to diminish. Am I expecting too much and >should just join the crowd downloading release after release? > >Bob, K9PAG It's really easy to update the firmware (or go back to previous version) so I don't see any point in waiting for it to "stabilize". I like the constant stream of fw revisions and enjoy installing them. Usually products which boast upgradeable firmware will have a revision or two (for major bug fixes) then that's it. With Elecraft you get the idea that they will be enhancing the operation of the rig, not just fixing a few major bugs and moving on to something else. Having said that, I only install the updates when they involve some feature that I'm interested in. I did the latest version because I'm interested in the AGC mods. I bet there are probably a number of firmware improvements since version 1.7 which you would enjoy having. Have you checked the revision history? It's located at http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_fw_release_notes.htm 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Firmware Stability
I've found upgrading to be VERY rewarding! Actually it wasn't too long ago that I was talking with Wayne when I'd had radio troubles and I'd mentioned that I wished there was a way to erase memories. He mentioned that he didn't understand why I'd want that when all I had to do was just write something else back over the top of it. Mainly its just cause I'm anal and like to have things clean and tidy Anyway he decided it was a relatively simple fix and poof it showed up. That was a fun one cause many other than myself appreciated that one. As well I had a slight problem in the way the scan feature worked. I sent an email to Wayne mentioning that I was having an issue that was very repeatable that resulted in the receiver being muted with no way to get out of it other than starting scanning again until it stops or power cycling the radio. There was a beta version of code that hadn't even been released yet that Wayne emailed me and poof my problem was solved. No remark of well you should buy the Elecraft K3 Mark IIG just oh here is a firmware update that resolves your exact issue. I should also mention that I got this update on a Sunday evening Wayne and Lyle and the rest of the Elecraft crew are working their ASSES off to keep these things moving forward and constantly improving. If a new firmware results in a regression I've seen that Wayne is VERY quick to jump on those and get those resolved. That's why often a release will result in several subsequent releases. My advice is most definitely keep up to date for several reasons. First off Wayne recommends it. Secondly the more people we have using the latest software the better it becomes as there are more people testing it out in more ways. We all operate slightly differently. If we were all the same then no issue would ever make it past the field testers. Lastly the more often you update your rig the more you are allowed to "grow" with it. Things can change quite a bit from a version of the code that you are running to the new code today. Upgrading more often can allow you to become accustomed to the changes and understand what is new. Its kinda like the difference between visiting with grandkids every few months or only getting to see them every 5 years. Only seeing them every 5 years results in a lot more shock each time as to how much they've changed rather than every few months. That and it results in MUCH less cheek pinching!!! I'm not old enough to have grandkids yet but hopefully my analogy makes sense :) Thanks Brett (KC7OTG) On Wed, 2008-07-23 at 22:03 -0500, BOB PHILBROOK wrote: > I am sitting here with K3 #818 with firmware release 1.7X waiting a version > of the K3 firmware to stabilize and be around for longer than a few days > before a new version or new Bata development is released. Sort of like > tracking a moving target that never stops moving. I have noticed the > frequency of firmware releases does not seem to diminish. Am I expecting too > much and should just join the crowd downloading release after release? > > Bob, K9PAG > ___ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Firmware Stability
Bob, If you are happy with the firmware release that you have now, you are certainly welcome to stay with it. Just don't be surprised if when reporting a 'problem', that the answer is that it has been fixed in firmware release x.xx. I would recommend that you do keep up with the current public release (or the beta release, your choice). If the frequency of releases bothers you, why not just make a resolution to check for a new release once a week - if a new one is available, download it and install in your K3. Elecraft is now trying to make the newest beta releases available as soon as possible after the firmware field test group has had enough time with the new version to know it does not have any major problems. Many owners do want the upgraded firmware as soon as possible, others, like you, may not. The choice is yours, but Elecraft (Wayne) does suggest that you use the latest beta version - see his post earlier today. 73, Don W3FPR BOB PHILBROOK wrote: I am sitting here with K3 #818 with firmware release 1.7X waiting a version of the K3 firmware to stabilize and be around for longer than a few days before a new version or new Bata development is released. Sort of like tracking a moving target that never stops moving. I have noticed the frequency of firmware releases does not seem to diminish. Am I expecting too much and should just join the crowd downloading release after release? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Firmware Stability
I am sitting here with K3 #818 with firmware release 1.7X waiting a version of the K3 firmware to stabilize and be around for longer than a few days before a new version or new Bata development is released. Sort of like tracking a moving target that never stops moving. I have noticed the frequency of firmware releases does not seem to diminish. Am I expecting too much and should just join the crowd downloading release after release? Bob, K9PAG ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
