[Elecraft] Re: Firmware Fatigue - was K2 v K3

[David Yarnes]

I may be the eternal optomist, but with regard to the K3 I an not 
particularly worried about these software glitches.  I got scared away from 
the original Orion because of problems like these, but Ten-Tec seemed very 
obviously to be floundering as to what to do next.  Not so with Elecraft.  I 
can only imagine the difficulty in getting things right, but Elecraft is 
putting a lot of effort into doing just that.  Ten-Tec, on the other hand, 
has left a bunch of folks hanging while their attention was diverted 
elsewhere.  If you watch that reflector you will know what I mean.  I know, 
for example, that a lot of folks are using a much earlier version of the 
Orion I software because it sort of works for them, while the later version 
still has big issues apparently.

Wayne and Lyle, and others, are pretty much focused specifically on getting 
the K3 just right.  Knowing that, I don't seem much reason to kick and 
scream or throw darts.  Their "pride of authorship" will get us what we want 
and need a lot quicker than spears thrown in their direction.  And I know 
Wayne doesn't punch out at 5 p.m.  He takes his work home with him!  I 
happened to work him on 40 CW a while back--late at night by the way--and he 
mentioned he had been working on the software.  I have a sneaking hunch that 
some of that so called vacation time he just had was spent doing the same 
thing.

I know these glitches are frustrating.  But I am reasonably sure this stuff 
isn't all that easy.  I'm equally sure that these folks are smart enough to 
figure it out successfully.  Remember, we are kind of plowing new ground 
with some of this radio software stuff.  Personally, I think it's 
fascinating what apparently can, and will be, achieved in due time.

As for myself, I have been sort of dragging my feet on some of the software 
upgrades.  I'm still using 1.75, which generally works pretty well.  I'm 
letting everyone else shake things out first.  I know I'll be upgrading soon 
enough.  I'm anxious to see things work better, but I'm not losing any sleep 
over it.  I have been assured that the things I've noticed as being less 
than satisfactory will be dealt with.  I have no reason to doubt that, so 
I'm content to give them time to do it.  And although it has been said 
before, I'll repeat it--there isn't any other radio I know of where the 
users are communicating so openly with the designers to obtain desired 
changes.  Maybe there will come a day when I feel some disappointment with 
the K3, but I'm sure nowhere close to that point currently.  I could 
probably be critical of Elecraft about several things, but being responsive 
to their customers sure isn't one of them.

Dave W7AQK

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "VR2BrettGraham" <vr2bg at harts.org.hk>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 5:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Re: Firmware Fatigue - was K2 v K3


> Software isn't bug free until you stop using it.
>
> 73, VR2/KBrett7Graham/p.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>