[Elecraft] How Elecraft Manuals Come About...

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Dave, W7AQK wrote:
 
Only that the owner's manual refers to V 1.06 when discussing the Info
Report on page 7.  I assumed that perhaps they would use the latest firmware
version in the instructions, but that may be a stretch!  Anyway, no big
deal--just speculation on my part.
 
Very nice job on the manual Ron.  It certainly contained lots of very
appropriate warnings where errors could commonly occur.  It was also obvious
that someone very carefully documented potential problems in the building
process, like not soldering certain leads before an adjoining lead was also
ready to be soldered.  I particularly liked the thrice stated "get the right
LED lead in the right hole" warning!  You must have had me in mind when you
did that!  Anyway, it's a very thorough and well thought out construction
guide indeed.  Thanks for making it a heck of a lot easier for us klutzes!
 
--------------
 
Ha!  Ha! Wayne missed where he used ver 1.06 as an example of how the
firmware revision is reported. Yes, Wayne went to a 1.07 just before
production started. 
 
Thank you for the nice words about the assembly manual. This is the third
such manual I've written for Elecraft, and let me say that it is *not* the
product of my own fingers, but rather a very concerted team effort. At least
a dozen people had input into that assembly manual. 
 
It starts with the engineer, of course. In this case it was Wayne working
out the electrical and mechanical design, always thinking about the person
who will ultimately build the kit as well as use the finished unit.
Designing something others can build makes a project much, much bigger than
just making it work well! 
 
When the design is getting close to a final product, it's my turn to build
one. I get the schematic, notes the designer has made about tricky parts of
the build, and a box of parts. As I build the unit I take photos, make
drawings, document the steps and analyze the build process. Some engineers
who also do a lot of writing, like Wayne, also provide a lot of notes, which
makes my job go faster.
 
My goal is to get a complete assembly procedure together in time for the
field test. 
 
The field testers then get the manual and the field test "kits" of parts
that are close to what we plan to deliver to customers. They build their
units and comment on all aspects of the design, assembly procedure and
performance of the unit while the engineer and I take careful notes. I'm
constantly tweaking and revising the manual to correct any errors and to
make the process clearer each step of the way. The engineer is watching
closely for any design issues that need addressing. That's where emphasis on
certain issues, like making sure the LED's are installed correctly, are
identified and warnings included in the manual. 
 
Sometimes, when significant design changes occur, I do another build. I
think I built two KX1's and 3-1/2 XV transverters before the engineers and
field testers were happy with the product and I was happy with the manual.
All the time the manual is constantly being updated and corrected and
reviewed. 
 
Finally, then, the product shipments start and, as you've probably noticed,
I'm hovering around the reflector looking for comments about the assembly
procedure in case a mistake slipped by.
 
So the manual, like the whole design, is really a huge team effort. I'm
pleased to be a part of a great team who works together very well. 
 
And, by now, I'm sure that you've noticed that, as a customer taking the
time to make a comment, you've become a valuable member of that team as
well. From what I've seen, no Elecraft product is ever truly finished. Each
one is carefully scrutinized by users everywhere and feedback is taken very
seriously.
 
Whenever a design change or improvement is called for to ensure the device
works as advertised, it's made without hesitation thanks in large part to
the rest of the design team: all the Elecraft owners who ask questions and
offer feedback. 
 
Thanks Dave! 
 
Enjoy the T1!
 
Ron AC7AC