[PCR-1000] PCR-1000 HELP info

[A10382]

I think we need some additional 'voice of reason' Like John Larson's note
below.  I doubt there have been more than a dozen PCR1000s with corrupted
EEPROM data worldwide - yet a  lot of noise has been made on backup, etc.

First, I do applaud anyone who tinkers with anything they own to learn more
about it.  It's the basic ham culture!

I do believe, however, that the number of trashed EEPROMS will rise!!  This
is mostly due to the education folks are getting on downloading, uploading,
and tinkering with their EEPROMS.  Programs line EX2099 will eventually lead
to more experimentation and expensive 'learning errors' - no one said
education is painless!).  The learning process is good - but can be painful.

The methodology of using EEPROMS for alignment and compensation for
component and manufacturing variances has allowed manufacturers to get more
of their gear off the line without pulling units for repair.  It is a great
technology - FOR THE MANUFACTURER.   Most manufacturers closely guard the
info for competitive reasons and to reduce service difficulties.  Only a
person who recently came from the manufacturer would have  current and
accurate knowledge about a specific product's EEPROM methodology.

There may very well be a large difference in EEPROM contents to compensate
for component swaps during the product life cycle of any product.
Components are continually being 'end-of-lifed' by their makers with little
or no notice to the OEMs who incorporate them into their products.  This is
a HUGE problem for manufacturers, leading them to 'second source' many
critical components.  The second source's component may very well have
different real tolerances and require alignment differences.

I deal with a number of products that have EEPROMS that are used to align,
adjust, and tune the device to compensate for component differences.
Customers who leave their units alone have almost no difficulties.  Avionics
shops that 'tinker' and 'tune' their units - mostly with information (more
like 'MIS-information) that can be best described as legend & lore,
eventually have to return the units to the manufacturer (Honeywell, Allied
Signal -now Honeywell, Raytheon, Collins, Motorola, and Garmin to name a
few).

All that said - I'LL KEEP ON TINKERING FOR MORE KNOWLEDGE - KNOWING THAT YOU
CAN SHOOT YOURSELF IN THE FOOT IN THE QUEST FOR PERFECTION!  Keep the cards
and letters coming.  I for one would LOVE to know all about the inner
locations of the EEPROM data!

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Lawson" <jpl15@panix.com>
To: <pcr-1000@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 1:26 PM
Subject: [PCR-1000] PCR-1000 HELP info


>
>
>   In the mass of Stuff well-meaning folks have posted in response to
> Leroy's very vexing situation (it's bad enough that an expensive radio is
> rendered useless, but also his entire HD is trashed w/no backup..!) I
> think it would be good to point out that some of the EEPROM settings are
> dependant on the individual radio's initial alignment at the factory, and
> using someone else's EEPROM data may or may not give satisfaction.  Of
> course it cant get much worse than it is now, so it might be worth a try.
>
>   Some of the mis-information proagated under this heading would be
> amusing if it wasn't for the fact that having a PCR-1000 realigned by Icom
> DownUnder(tm) is not: Pleasant, Fast, or Cheap.  So listmembers might want
> to do a little research before they (unintentionally) mislead someone who
> is probably not a world expert on black-box radios.
>
>  Most of my modern ham gear is Kenwood and Yaesu.. only my handheld
> airband tranciever is Icom, and I think I'll go with the Yaesu unit next
> time. (it has a nicer VOR display, anyway..)  Icom's persistant hardline
> attitude in re: the PCR1K has not impressed me even little bit.  I plan on
> communicating my disillusion dircetly to them at Dayton this year...  two
> months away.
>
>   Leroy, you can try to re-load an EEPROM image from someone else's unit,
> but Your Milage May Vary.  I hav eheard conflicting reports as to just how
> well it works.  Also, you have a fairly low-range serial number, and that
> may or may not be a complicating factor.
>
>   What might help you out with Icom is: were you actually *using* the Icom
> software when you machine was trashed? If so, then that may short-circuit
> their stupid xenophobia about '3rd party damage'.
>
>
>   Just some thoughts
>
>   Cheers
>
> John
>
>
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