[Elecraft] Firmware and DSP Upgrades

[K9ZTV]

A lot of the comments about software problems are due to people not 
reading the release notes, not understanding multiple configuration 
options, not accurately following the assembly manuals, as well as newly 
licensed hams who bypass entry level radios in favor of sophisticated 
rigs that end up being over their heads.  A fair number of comments are 
also mere grousing for the sake of grousing.

As noted after nearly every firmware release, gripes are frequently 
followed by praise once the new options are understood and played with.

The assertion that each new release is a step backward is patently 
untrue (and also unfair).  By comparison, the Big Three NEVER release 
information about hardware or firmware upgrades, NEVER encourage 
retrofitting, and NEVER even answer email.  They want you to buy new stuff.

Elecraft on the other hand is still supporting all their rigs, still 
upgrading both hardware and software (KX1 has a new p.a.) even as they 
are fine-tuning the K3.  Many purchasers have marveled that their emails 
to the support staff get answered within hours, even on the weekends.  
Independent testing, as the writer below calls it, IS being done by 
over  a dozen beta-testers working without pay for the love of the 
product and the hobby.  A lot of the so-called "issues" alluded to in 
this post are merely personal preferences that are not shared by the 
majority of purchasers.  It is to Elecraft's credit that they have bent 
over backward to accommodate even the eclectic among us while 
maintaining an affordable radio that has superior performance.

But the most important fact to keep in mind is that none of us are share 
holders.  It's not our company.  "Suggest" all you want, but it's their 
debt, their mortgage, their retirement, their business AND . . . none of 
ours.


Kent  K9ZTV





Someone wrote:
> I don't know to what extent or to what degree the tests of K3 firmware and DSP upgrades must reach before being released for general use.
>
> However, it is apparent to me with the numerous issues with NR and DSP that more needs to be done before K3 software products are released for general use.
>
> While I have no aversion to software upgrades, one does not want to trade one set of problems for others.  This, unfortunately, appears to be happening more and more as the software becomes more extensive in capabilities.
>
> I don't know if Elecraft utilizes such techniques, but independent verification and validation (IV&V) of software has proven time and time again to work.  One cannot expect a software developer to adequately test his work.  
>
> Independent testing by a third party against approved criteria catches many bugs and problems developers fail to see.  And unless one has a rigorous, structured software testing effort, problems such as those with DSP and NR will come back and bite you every time.  Having software tested by the developer often leads to the old problem of two steps forward and one in reverse with software releases.
>
> I  make the suggestion that more time be spent proofing firmware and DSP upgrades and for Elecraft to employ software IV&V.