[Elecraft] New K3/K3S Beta Firmware, rev. 5.26: Support for K3S and upgraded modules

[George Danner]

Bill,
I believe it was said long ago that it was made different (and not 
automated) to make sure you understood that it was not the Production 
version.

After the 2nd Beta download for my K3, I set-up a "Beta" folder where I 
download the firmware and then un-compress.
My Utility is pointed to the last folder I installed; so it is fairly easy 
to redirect it and install Beta Firmware.
Since Production firmware comes from Beta that is promoted; I don't remember 
loading a Production version at least not in many years!

Very occasionally I do skip a Beta version because of time constraints or 
"Senior Moments".
When an update is skipped it is not lost. It will be in all future releases 
unless it is modified later on!

73 George AI4VZ


-----Original Message----- 
From: David Cole
Hi Bill,
I think part of the circuitous route downloading and running the Beta
Software in intentional.  It keeps it from being accidentally loaded.
-- 
Thanks and 73's,

On Wed, 2015-05-20 at 12:53 -0700, Bill Frantz wrote:
> I admit I would run the beta software more often if it were
> easier. From my point of view, having a "run beta software" box
> in the utilities which would automatically search the Elecraft
> site for beta versions which are newer than the latest
> production version, down load them, and install them. Icing on
> the cake would be an easy to back out to the latest production
> version in case of problems.
>
> 73 Bill AE6JV
>
> On 5/20/15 at 9:21 AM, w3fpr at embarqmail.com (Don Wilhelm) wrote:
>
> >K3Utility will tell you if the production firmware has been
> >updated, it is an easy matter to download and install those.
> >Beta releases are a different matter.  Those will be announced
> >on the Elecraft reflector (and in the beta section of the
> >Elecraft website), and if you wish to download a beta version,
> >follow the instructions for downloading a beta release on the
> >Elecraft website.
> >Occasionally, Wayne will announce an early beta release (or
> >per-release if you prefer) asking those interested in trying it
> >to send him an email.