[Elecraft] Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

[Larry Phipps]

I have an early serial number K2 that I have updated as well. I'm not 
concerned that there will be support... just wondering what form it will 
take. If there are changes that are parts substitutions, I assume we 
will have the option of doing our own rework and updates. I have the 
tools for SMD rework, so this is not a problem. My concern would be a 
board revision, which would rise to the level that rework would be 
difficult or impossible.  I assume any board which does not meet 
published specs would be replaced under warranty. I am also assuming a 
redesign just to improve performance would not be free, but would be 
available at nominal cost.

With so many beta testers this is all probably unlikely, but it is an 
all new design and with hundreds of early adopters, with wide ranging 
needs, the rig will be tested in ways which have probably not been 
encountered yet. It might be a good idea (and probably already in the 
works) to direct the beta testers to run additional tests and operations 
based on the reflector comments and questions of the last few days. With 
such a hot new product, I am certain that Eric and Wayne are being 
especially careful about the roll-out, so as not to taint it.

73,
Larry N8LP



Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Larry,
>
> I would not be concerned about the hardware from the first production 
> run.  If the K2 stability can be any example, remember that the K2 did 
> not have significant hardware changes to the receiver or transmitter 
> chains.  There were a few enhancements, but my Field Test K2 has very 
> little rework that is not present on my SN2100 K2 - both are upgraded 
> to the current level.
>
> In the firmware arena, I do expect changes as customer requests for 
> added or changed functions are accommodated, but with the firmware 
> being available as a download, those changes are easy to install.
>
> As always, you can expect total commitment to customer support from 
> Elecraft.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Larry Phipps wrote:
>
>> I may wait for the second production run, although that may be sold 
>> out by the end of Dayton ;-) I'm guessing 200 for the first run, and 
>> maybe as many as 1,000 for the second run. I would like to hear 
>> feedback between those runs, but I don't think there will be time for 
>> much feedback. My main concern would be hardware changes between runs 
>> on the first few runs, and how they would be handled for early 
>> buyers. Obviously firmware changes are no problem. As good as the K3 
>> design appears to be, there are always little running changes in a 
>> rollout.
>>
>> 73,
>> Larry N8LP
>
>