[Elecraft] Firmware Stability

[Brett Howard]

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
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