[Elecraft] K4 remote software question

[Fred Jensen]

Indeed!  I'm old, been through this many times.  Regardless of what is 
causing problems:

Don't publicize a release date because of uncertainties and the World 
will give you a thousand reasons why you are wrong and should have given 
a date.

Publicize a release date and then miss it because of uncertainties and 
the the same World will criticize you a thousand times for missing the 
date.

Adjust the design(s) to accommodate the uncertainties and make your 
release date, and the same World will criticize you a thousand times for 
all the missing design elements while waiting for the upgrades.

Pre-assign serial numbers to pre-orders and publish them and the World 
will criticize you a thousand times when the production pace does not 
keep up with expectations.  When pre-orders cancel, the rest of the list 
will criticize you for not adjusting the serial number sequence so "they 
can get a lower number."  If you adjust the sequence, the rest of the 
list will criticize you because they now can't track production rates.

Publish weekly reports detailing problems, progress or the lack thereof, 
and estimated release date and the World will have a thousand complaints 
about your lack of progress, missing the release date, and spelling, 
grammar, frequency, and content of your reports.

Please post if you ever find a "win" in any of these scenarios, I never 
have.

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 8/10/2020 6:54 AM, Dave wrote:
> Bob
>
> I’ll chime in.
>
> If a company gives a forecasted ship date and misses the mark for any reason, including unforeseen circumstances that company would be “burned at the stake”.  I have seen it before. So with COVID-19 the big wildcard, it is virtually impossible to predict any long term forecast.
>
> Some hams treat a projected date as written in stone.
>
> Dave wo2x
>
> Sent from my waxed string and tin cans.
>
>> On Aug 10, 2020, at 2:04 AM, K5WA <k5wa at comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> After listening to Eric’s EXPO presentation, I thought I heard him say Elecraft would have an API for developers to develop remote software for the K4.  I take that to mean that Elecraft will NOT have their own remote software offering so you must buy a K4/0 until software is available from 3rd parties.   I had understood previously that Elecraft would actually have their own software available around the ship date of the K4 so I’ve been planning for that in my remote project.  I guess I’ll have to switch gears and delay my remote project further.  I was hoping to have it installed this year.
>>
>>
>>
>> On the K4 delivery issue, since the Group 1 purchasers are a known lot, it seems that any group that is full and finite should be able to be given a number (maybe even the actual/projected S/N) so that, for example, as people on this reflector announce that they received S/N 25 and your number was 50, you’d have a clue that your rig was getting close.  Ideally, with supply chains running smoothly, Elecraft could show their production projections by S/N or at least an estimated units per week forecast as they ramp up.  I realize the exact S/N may change due to special circumstances, but at least we’d have a ballpark pecking order of when to sit at the mailbox looking down the street (longingly) for a delivery truck.  I’m not aware of a downside to letting folks know their actual or approximate spot in line.  We all know Gavin Newsome and Dr. Faucci have the largest influence on delivery dates but I’d sure like to have a wee bit more transparency from Elecraft about our investment.
>>
>>
>>
>> I know there will be folks telling me to sit tight (as I have for the last 15+ months), they’re coming, but since late August is still the announced best guess for first production shipments, Elecraft surely has internal forecasts by now that could be parceled out to folks on the waiting list.  Heck, I’ll even volunteer to be the body that tabulates the list if Elecraft wants to put me to work.  (I’m guessing there are 500-1000 units in Group 1?)
>>
>>
>>
>> Semi-patiently waiting,  😉
>>
>>
>>
>> Bob K5WA
>>