[Elecraft] Software Upgrades

[Mike Cox]

Having already survived the Ten-Tec Orion I firmware and hardware 
upgrade fiasco, I must admit that my experiences with the Elecraft 
firmware migration has been a real pleasure. I eagerly download each new 
beta version as soon as I know it's available. I have never regressed to 
a previous edition. This was not the case with my Orion I. The ease of 
loading a new version of the K3 firmware is an added plus over the Orion 
(power on - hold the proper buttons - hold tongue just right while 
crossing fingers). If there is some substantive issue with a new K3 
version, a corrected version appears within hours (not weeks or months 
as was the case with my Orion I). Also, the actual programmers of the K3 
are accessible and responsive. I never did succeed in contacting an 
Orion I programmer. Waiting over a year for Orion firmware that did not 
occasionally crash like Windows 3.1 was frustrating! Considering the big 
3 japanese manufacturers; if it doesn't work to your expectations, 
simply wait for a subsequent model introduction and see if that's better.

If one is not comfortable with frequent K3 firmware upgrades, simply 
ignore the "beta" versions. New "production" versions are not all that 
frequent.

If one enjoys playing with new features and functions as soon as the 
guys in Aptos make them available, then dive into the "betas". It's an 
opportunity to participate in the engineering process! Hey, these guys 
LISTEN to our feedback. I'm having a ball participating in the evolution 
of this fine radio. I think they're doing it in a most acceptable fashion.

BOB PHILBROOK wrote:
> After reading countless reflector comments about firmware upgrades and releases, it appears to me that in many instances such so called upgrades are two steps forward and one in reverse.  
>
> You know the drill, fix this problem, add a new feature, and then find that something that worked in previous versions does not function as expected and now demands a fix and another firmware version.
>
> Personally, I would like to see fewer firmware releases and more time spent vetting firmware before it is released.  Firmware upgrades should be two steps forward -- period! 
>
> The rush to add new features and fix bugs in firmware appears to me to be too rushed to be efficient and effective.  Tell me fellows, why the rush?
>
> Bob, K9PAG
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