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Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

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Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO

Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

Just as an aside on the tremendously personal and intimate experience of participating in the K3 roll-out, I've also been monitoring the FT-2000 Yahoo group to see what they're talking about over there. Over the past week, nearly 100% of the voluminous postings there have been about firmware updates.

1) A new firmware revision called v1.26 showed up on the Internet from SOMEWHERE -- nobody knows where it came from. A lot of people tried to install it and found serious problems. Yaesu eventually disclaimed it as somebody's unauthorized hack and advised people not to install it. This took weeks.

2) People began wondering how they could determine what firmware revision their unit is running. Answer: Fuhgedaboudit. There is no way to get feedback from the FT-2000 as to its own firmware revision. So patently absurd that nobody could believe it until it was finally confirmed by a Yaesu tech rep. Reason: Yaesu keeps track of what firmware revision is in your radio on a serial-number basis. You don't need to know this.

3) When a new and officially sanctioned v1.27 firmware update finally emerged, people wondered what bug fixes it covered and what new features it offered. Answer: Fuhgedaboudit. You don't need to know this. Just trust Yaesu that it's better. Well, your country's sales rep might be able to find out for you... If you can actually talk to him. Or maybe not.

4) Want to go to the Yaesu website and download the update? Fuhgedaboudit. You can only get it by email from an authorized rep from your particular country on a one-by-one basis. Got problems and you want it right now? Fuhgedaboudit. You get on a wait list and... wait. And hope it gets sent to you One of These Days Real Soon Now. (So as a result, unauthorized personal website postings of the update popped up within 24 hours of its release. Is it the real v1.27? The correct country-specific v1.27 for your radio? Who knows?)

Y'all can thank your lucky stars that Elecraft owners have a completely different kind of experience with the manufacturer of their radio. I just thought you might like to know just how different it really is.

Bill / W5WVO
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Simon (HB9DRV)

Re: Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

If you think the tale of woe regarding the FT-2000 is bad, look at the
FTDX-9000. To be fair to Yaesu they are trying to sort it out, it looks like
it was rushed to the market. ICOM were very good with the IC-7800 - I owned
one, now sold.

I have never come a cross a company that listens to customers like Elecraft
does - I doubt that a radio has received so many advanced orders. I have so
far failed to find a single thing that needs enhancing in the K3's spec /
email replies from Wayne.

Simon Brown, HB9DRV

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill W5WVO" <[hidden email]>

Just as an aside on the tremendously personal and intimate experience of
participating in the K3 roll-out, I've also been monitoring the FT-2000
Yahoo group to see what they're talking about over there. Over the past
week, nearly 100% of the voluminous postings there have been about firmware
updates.

[chop-o-matic]

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N8LP

Re: Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

In reply to this post by Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO

I wonder if there is any K3 chatter on the FT-2000 list... seems like
they are squarely in the crosshairs ;-)

Larry N8LP

Bill W5WVO wrote:

> Just as an aside on the tremendously personal and intimate experience of participating in the K3 roll-out, I've also been monitoring the FT-2000 Yahoo group to see what they're talking about over there. Over the past week, nearly 100% of the voluminous postings there have been about firmware updates.
>
> 1) A new firmware revision called v1.26 showed up on the Internet from SOMEWHERE -- nobody knows where it came from. A lot of people tried to install it and found serious problems. Yaesu eventually disclaimed it as somebody's unauthorized hack and advised people not to install it. This took weeks.
>
> 2) People began wondering how they could determine what firmware revision their unit is running. Answer: Fuhgedaboudit. There is no way to get feedback from the FT-2000 as to its own firmware revision. So patently absurd that nobody could believe it until it was finally confirmed by a Yaesu tech rep. Reason: Yaesu keeps track of what firmware revision is in your radio on a serial-number basis. You don't need to know this.
>
> 3) When a new and officially sanctioned v1.27 firmware update finally emerged, people wondered what bug fixes it covered and what new features it offered. Answer: Fuhgedaboudit. You don't need to know this. Just trust Yaesu that it's better. Well, your country's sales rep might be able to find out for you... If you can actually talk to him. Or maybe not.
>
> 4) Want to go to the Yaesu website and download the update? Fuhgedaboudit. You can only get it by email from an authorized rep from your particular country on a one-by-one basis. Got problems and you want it right now? Fuhgedaboudit. You get on a wait list and... wait. And hope it gets sent to you One of These Days Real Soon Now. (So as a result, unauthorized personal website postings of the update popped up within 24 hours of its release. Is it the real v1.27? The correct country-specific v1.27 for your radio? Who knows?)
>
> Y'all can thank your lucky stars that Elecraft owners have a completely different kind of experience with the manufacturer of their radio. I just thought you might like to know just how different it really is.
>
> Bill / W5WVO
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Bill W4ZV

Re: Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

In reply to this post by Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO

HB9DRV:
>I have never come a cross a company that listens to customers like
Elecraft does

I strongly second that! Ten-Tec does much
better than most but they are about 10 dB down from
Elecraft. I can't comment on Flex Radio from personal
experience but they also appear to be very responsive.
It's interesting to watch the resurgence of 3 American
radio manufacturers all building their businesses around
the customer, and quite surprising others are not
since it is a fundamental part of Deming, TQM, etc...
which were re-taught to us by the Japanese in the
1980's..

If I were back in business school, someone
could probably write a case study about how Elecraft
has built an extremely strong business around
customer responsiveness. It's truly sad how many
companies simply do not understand the fundamental
importance of listening to customers. Congratulations
to Wayne and Eric for completely instilling this value
throughout their company! May it always remain so.

73, Bill W4ZV

P.S. A K3 is probably in my future as soon as I
learn a little more about it (e.g. phase-locked stereo
diversity, LO phase noise, IMD, etc).

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N8LP

Re: Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

In reply to this post by N8LP

That's one of the main reasons I bought the K2 in the first place. I
like assembling kits, but not for weeks at a time as I have plenty of
assembly to do on my own products/projects. Serviceability and customer
support are number one for me. That's why I will be buying a K3. For
that reason alone, the K3 should cost more than a Japanese radio,
factoring in future repair costs ;-)

I may wait for the second production run, although that may be sold out
by the end of Dayton ;-) I'm guessing 200 for the first run, and maybe
as many as 1,000 for the second run. I would like to hear feedback
between those runs, but I don't think there will be time for much
feedback. My main concern would be hardware changes between runs on the
first few runs, and how they would be handled for early buyers.
Obviously firmware changes are no problem. As good as the K3 design
appears to be, there are always little running changes in a rollout.

73,
Larry N8LP

johnny wrote:

> Hi Larry,
> I have enough with my FTDX9000 and luckily I have already sold it only
> at some losses. Even I now have my IC7800, I still placed my order for K3.
> As everyone here, I appreciate the customer support from Elecraft. I
> have enough experience with Ft2000 and FTDX9000 which I do not discuss
> in an Elecraft mail reflector. K3 will be my new rig which can be
> serviced by myself to some degree. I like my IC7800 but if the radio
> has anything wrong, my hands will be up in the air and a tip to ICOM
> service center is unavoidable.
> cheers,
> Johnny Siu VR2XMC
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Larry Phipps <mailto:[hidden email]>
> *To:* Bill W5WVO <mailto:[hidden email]>
> *Cc:* [Elecraft] <mailto:[hidden email]>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, May 01, 2007 9:09 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!
>
> I wonder if there is any K3 chatter on the FT-2000 list... seems like
> they are squarely in the crosshairs ;-)
>
> Larry N8LP
>
>
>
> Bill W5WVO wrote:
> > Just as an aside on the tremendously personal and intimate
> experience of participating in the K3 roll-out, I've also been
> monitoring the FT-2000 Yahoo group to see what they're talking
> about over there. Over the past week, nearly 100% of the
> voluminous postings there have been about firmware updates.
> >
> > 1) A new firmware revision called v1.26 showed up on the
> Internet from SOMEWHERE -- nobody knows where it came from. A lot
> of people tried to install it and found serious problems. Yaesu
> eventually disclaimed it as somebody's unauthorized hack and
> advised people not to install it. This took weeks.
> >
> > 2) People began wondering how they could determine what firmware
> revision their unit is running. Answer: Fuhgedaboudit. There is no
> way to get feedback from the FT-2000 as to its own firmware
> revision. So patently absurd that nobody could believe it until it
> was finally confirmed by a Yaesu tech rep. Reason: Yaesu keeps
> track of what firmware revision is in your radio on a
> serial-number basis. You don't need to know this.
> >
> > 3) When a new and officially sanctioned v1.27 firmware update
> finally emerged, people wondered what bug fixes it covered and
> what new features it offered. Answer: Fuhgedaboudit. You don't
> need to know this. Just trust Yaesu that it's better. Well, your
> country's sales rep might be able to find out for you... If you
> can actually talk to him. Or maybe not.
> >
> > 4) Want to go to the Yaesu website and download the update?
> Fuhgedaboudit. You can only get it by email from an authorized rep
> from your particular country on a one-by-one basis. Got problems
> and you want it right now? Fuhgedaboudit. You get on a wait list
> and... wait. And hope it gets sent to you One of These Days Real
> Soon Now. (So as a result, unauthorized personal website postings
> of the update popped up within 24 hours of its release. Is it the
> real v1.27? The correct country-specific v1.27 for your radio? Who
> knows?)
> >
> > Y'all can thank your lucky stars that Elecraft owners have a
> completely different kind of experience with the manufacturer of
> their radio. I just thought you might like to know just how
> different it really is.
> >
> > Bill / W5WVO
>

Bill Steffey NY9H

Re: customer service: & NEW RADIOS

Larry you make such a great point here.////
This is why I cancelled an order a few years ago from another
manufacturer for a very large expensive radio. BEFORE IT SHIPPED..
and it appears that it was the right choice as there were ongoing
changes (hard and soft)which were never really "finished" in my opinion.

I have an expectation with Eric & Wayne..and Elecraft that if such
hardware changes are necessary that those "early adopters" would be
covered like a blanket.

Bill NY9H K2# 269 K3# ___

Now this is the spot where we hear some comment from Eric or Wayne
saying something like..." of course!!!.

>I may wait for the second production run, although that may be sold
>out by the end of Dayton ;-) I'm guessing 200 for the first run, and
>maybe as many as 1,000 for the second run. I would like to hear
>feedback between those runs, but I don't think there will be time
>for much feedback. My main concern would be hardware changes between
>runs on the first few runs, and how they would be handled for early
>buyers. Obviously firmware changes are no problem. As good as the K3
>design appears to be, there are always little running changes in a rollout.
>
>73,
>Larry N8LP
>
>
>
>johnny wrote:
>>Hi Larry,
>>I have enough with my FTDX9000 and luckily I have already sold it
>>only at some losses. Even I now have my IC7800, I still placed my order for K3.
>>As everyone here, I appreciate the customer support from Elecraft.
>>I have enough experience with Ft2000 and FTDX9000 which I do not
>>discuss in an Elecraft mail reflector. K3 will be my new rig which
>>can be serviced by myself to some degree. I like my IC7800 but if
>>the radio has anything wrong, my hands will be up in the air and a
>>tip to ICOM service center is unavoidable.
>>cheers,
>>Johnny Siu VR2XMC
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> *From:* Larry Phipps <mailto:[hidden email]>
>> *To:* Bill W5WVO <mailto:[hidden email]>
>> *Cc:* [Elecraft] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, May 01, 2007 9:09 PM
>> *Subject:* Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!
>>
>> I wonder if there is any K3 chatter on the FT-2000 list... seems like
>> they are squarely in the crosshairs ;-)
>>
>> Larry N8LP
>>
>>
>>
>> Bill W5WVO wrote:
>> > Just as an aside on the tremendously personal and intimate
>> experience of participating in the K3 roll-out, I've also been
>> monitoring the FT-2000 Yahoo group to see what they're talking
>> about over there. Over the past week, nearly 100% of the
>> voluminous postings there have been about firmware updates.
>> >
>> > 1) A new firmware revision called v1.26 showed up on the
>> Internet from SOMEWHERE -- nobody knows where it came from. A lot
>> of people tried to install it and found serious problems. Yaesu
>> eventually disclaimed it as somebody's unauthorized hack and
>> advised people not to install it. This took weeks.
>> >
>> > 2) People began wondering how they could determine what firmware
>> revision their unit is running. Answer: Fuhgedaboudit. There is no
>> way to get feedback from the FT-2000 as to its own firmware
>> revision. So patently absurd that nobody could believe it until it
>> was finally confirmed by a Yaesu tech rep. Reason: Yaesu keeps
>> track of what firmware revision is in your radio on a
>> serial-number basis. You don't need to know this.
>> >
>> > 3) When a new and officially sanctioned v1.27 firmware update
>> finally emerged, people wondered what bug fixes it covered and
>> what new features it offered. Answer: Fuhgedaboudit. You don't
>> need to know this. Just trust Yaesu that it's better. Well, your
>> country's sales rep might be able to find out for you... If you
>> can actually talk to him. Or maybe not.
>> >
>> > 4) Want to go to the Yaesu website and download the update?
>> Fuhgedaboudit. You can only get it by email from an authorized rep
>> from your particular country on a one-by-one basis. Got problems
>> and you want it right now? Fuhgedaboudit. You get on a wait list
>> and... wait. And hope it gets sent to you One of These Days Real
>> Soon Now. (So as a result, unauthorized personal website postings
>> of the update popped up within 24 hours of its release. Is it the
>> real v1.27? The correct country-specific v1.27 for your radio? Who
>> knows?)
>> >
>> > Y'all can thank your lucky stars that Elecraft owners have a
>> completely different kind of experience with the manufacturer of
>> their radio. I just thought you might like to know just how
>> different it really is.
>> >
>> > Bill / W5WVO
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>Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Thom LaCosta

Re: customer service: & NEW RADIOS

On Tue, 1 May 2007, Bill NY9H wrote:

> I have an expectation with Eric & Wayne..and Elecraft that if such hardware
> changes are necessary that those "early adopters" would be covered like a
> blanket.

I submitted a question about the K3 3 times, once to the list and Lyle, Once to
Wayne and once to Eric. Based on not getting an answer to any of the messages,
I am not willing to assume the early adopters would be covered for hardware
changes...but a simple statement from Elecraft might clear up any
mis-understanding.

Thom

www.baltimorehon.com/ Home of the Baltimore Lexicon
www.tlchost.net/hosting/ Web Hosting as low as 3.49/month
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Don Wilhelm-3

Re: Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

In reply to this post by N8LP

Larry,

I would not be concerned about the hardware from the first production
run. If the K2 stability can be any example, remember that the K2 did
not have significant hardware changes to the receiver or transmitter
chains. There were a few enhancements, but my Field Test K2 has very
little rework that is not present on my SN2100 K2 - both are upgraded to
the current level.

In the firmware arena, I do expect changes as customer requests for
added or changed functions are accommodated, but with the firmware being
available as a download, those changes are easy to install.

As always, you can expect total commitment to customer support from
Elecraft.

73,
Don W3FPR

Larry Phipps wrote:

> I may wait for the second production run, although that may be sold out
> by the end of Dayton ;-) I'm guessing 200 for the first run, and maybe
> as many as 1,000 for the second run. I would like to hear feedback
> between those runs, but I don't think there will be time for much
> feedback. My main concern would be hardware changes between runs on the
> first few runs, and how they would be handled for early buyers.
> Obviously firmware changes are no problem. As good as the K3 design
> appears to be, there are always little running changes in a rollout.
>
> 73,
> Larry N8LP

N8LP

Re: Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

I have an early serial number K2 that I have updated as well. I'm not
concerned that there will be support... just wondering what form it will
take. If there are changes that are parts substitutions, I assume we
will have the option of doing our own rework and updates. I have the
tools for SMD rework, so this is not a problem. My concern would be a
board revision, which would rise to the level that rework would be
difficult or impossible. I assume any board which does not meet
published specs would be replaced under warranty. I am also assuming a
redesign just to improve performance would not be free, but would be
available at nominal cost.

With so many beta testers this is all probably unlikely, but it is an
all new design and with hundreds of early adopters, with wide ranging
needs, the rig will be tested in ways which have probably not been
encountered yet. It might be a good idea (and probably already in the
works) to direct the beta testers to run additional tests and operations
based on the reflector comments and questions of the last few days. With
such a hot new product, I am certain that Eric and Wayne are being
especially careful about the roll-out, so as not to taint it.

73,
Larry N8LP

Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Larry,
>
> I would not be concerned about the hardware from the first production
> run. If the K2 stability can be any example, remember that the K2 did
> not have significant hardware changes to the receiver or transmitter
> chains. There were a few enhancements, but my Field Test K2 has very
> little rework that is not present on my SN2100 K2 - both are upgraded
> to the current level.
>
> In the firmware arena, I do expect changes as customer requests for
> added or changed functions are accommodated, but with the firmware
> being available as a download, those changes are easy to install.
>
> As always, you can expect total commitment to customer support from
> Elecraft.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Larry Phipps wrote:
>
>> I may wait for the second production run, although that may be sold
>> out by the end of Dayton ;-) I'm guessing 200 for the first run, and
>> maybe as many as 1,000 for the second run. I would like to hear
>> feedback between those runs, but I don't think there will be time for
>> much feedback. My main concern would be hardware changes between runs
>> on the first few runs, and how they would be handled for early
>> buyers. Obviously firmware changes are no problem. As good as the K3
>> design appears to be, there are always little running changes in a
>> rollout.
>>
>> 73,
>> Larry N8LP
>
>

Craig Rairdin

RE: Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

As an early adopter of many new devices and technologies I fully understand
that my serial number < 100 device will probably require some updates, and
may require them at my expense. I refuse to demand that Elecraft "cover me
like a blanket" for any necessary updates. If I wasn't willing to take some
risk in order to be among the first owners of this radio, I wouldn't have
placed my order within 30 minutes of the announcement being posted to the
list.

There are three kinds of people when it comes to a new product like this.
Those who jump in with no regrets and no expectations beyond getting the
radio before anyone else (early adopters); those who wait for all the
glitches to be wrung out and for the price to come down (the patient); and
those who are actually in the latter camp but who really want to get their
hands on the product early (the hand-wringers). I don't think it's
Elecraft's responsibility to make that third group feel better about their
purchase decision.

If there are big hardware changes that need to be made and Elecraft sends me
a replacement module for the cost of shipping, great. If they send me
instructions and a bag of parts, great. If they send me an apology and an
order form for a replacement module at my expense, great. If that's not the
way you look at it then you're wise to wait a year or two. Better yet, wait
for the K4 then pick up a late-model K3 on eBay. (The first post-K3 K2 is up
there now.) :-)

Craig
NZ0R
KX1 #1499
K1 #1966
K2/100 #4941
K3/100 #20-#220

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Larry Phipps
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 10:58 AM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: [Elecraft]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

I have an early serial number K2 that I have updated as well. I'm not
concerned that there will be support... just wondering what form it will
take. If there are changes that are parts substitutions, I assume we
will have the option of doing our own rework and updates. I have the
tools for SMD rework, so this is not a problem. My concern would be a
board revision, which would rise to the level that rework would be
difficult or impossible. I assume any board which does not meet
published specs would be replaced under warranty. I am also assuming a
redesign just to improve performance would not be free, but would be
available at nominal cost.

With so many beta testers this is all probably unlikely, but it is an
all new design and with hundreds of early adopters, with wide ranging
needs, the rig will be tested in ways which have probably not been
encountered yet. It might be a good idea (and probably already in the
works) to direct the beta testers to run additional tests and operations
based on the reflector comments and questions of the last few days. With
such a hot new product, I am certain that Eric and Wayne are being
especially careful about the roll-out, so as not to taint it.

73,
Larry N8LP

Don Wilhelm wrote:

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Simon (HB9DRV)

Re: Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

I purchased from the first batch for two reasons:

[1] To be able to support K3 users with Ham Radio Deluxe,
[2] I expect the demand to be so great that were I to wait more than a few
weeks I could well be waiting for delivery in 2008. I am not prepared to
wait - this is a stonking radio.

Too many good friends have died young, all with unfulfilled plans.

Carpe diem & 73,

Simon Brown, HB9DRV

----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig Rairdin" <[hidden email]>

[chop-o-matic]

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Vic K2VCO

Re: Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

In reply to this post by Craig Rairdin

Craig Rairdin wrote:
> As an early adopter of many new devices and technologies I fully understand
> that my serial number < 100 device will probably require some updates, and
> may require them at my expense. I refuse to demand that Elecraft "cover me
> like a blanket" for any necessary updates. If I wasn't willing to take some
> risk in order to be among the first owners of this radio, I wouldn't have
> placed my order within 30 minutes of the announcement being posted to the
> list.

There are several reasons why the K3 pioneers will not be taking too
many arrows in their backs.

First of all, the K3 has a good balance of technology between the
hardware and the firmware. Most upgrades will be firmware-only, and
since it will be downloadable, you won't even need to worry about
zapping a chip.

Second, the K2 is modular. Even if a board has to be replaced, I expect
that the cost will be reasonable.

Third, the development process has been thorough as is the testing
process. Elecraft has been working on it for more than three years (I
know, because I found out about it in 2004 and actually kept my mouth
shut -- it wasn't easy), and their development team has been wringing
out the prototypes for months. Beta testers (non-Elecraft people) will
continue to test it before the first 200 orders are shipped. The K3 will
not be released half-baked, as some recent products of other
manufacturers have (they know who they are).

I waited for a while before getting a K2 -- my K2 is serial no. 709. The
above considerations plus my experience with Elecraft has convinced me
that I don't need to wait for the K3, and I am going for the lowest
serial number I can get!
--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
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dave.wilburn

Re: Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

In reply to this post by N8LP

I remember hearing in one of the posts that they had been working on
this for 3 years. Would it be possible to hear an overview of their
beta testing process, how many folks were involved, maybe some
interesting anecdotes from the process? Just curious. If I'm stepping
into areas best left alone, that is fine.

David Wilburn
[hidden email]
K4DGW
K2 #5982

Larry Phipps wrote:

> I have an early serial number K2 that I have updated as well. I'm not
> concerned that there will be support... just wondering what form it will
> take. If there are changes that are parts substitutions, I assume we
> will have the option of doing our own rework and updates. I have the
> tools for SMD rework, so this is not a problem. My concern would be a
> board revision, which would rise to the level that rework would be
> difficult or impossible. I assume any board which does not meet
> published specs would be replaced under warranty. I am also assuming a
> redesign just to improve performance would not be free, but would be
> available at nominal cost.
>
> With so many beta testers this is all probably unlikely, but it is an
> all new design and with hundreds of early adopters, with wide ranging
> needs, the rig will be tested in ways which have probably not been
> encountered yet. It might be a good idea (and probably already in the
> works) to direct the beta testers to run additional tests and operations
> based on the reflector comments and questions of the last few days. With
> such a hot new product, I am certain that Eric and Wayne are being
> especially careful about the roll-out, so as not to taint it.
>
> 73,
> Larry N8LP
>
>
>
> Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> Larry,
>>
>> I would not be concerned about the hardware from the first production
>> run. If the K2 stability can be any example, remember that the K2 did
>> not have significant hardware changes to the receiver or transmitter
>> chains. There were a few enhancements, but my Field Test K2 has very
>> little rework that is not present on my SN2100 K2 - both are upgraded
>> to the current level.
>>
>> In the firmware arena, I do expect changes as customer requests for
>> added or changed functions are accommodated, but with the firmware
>> being available as a download, those changes are easy to install.
>>
>> As always, you can expect total commitment to customer support from
>> Elecraft.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> Larry Phipps wrote:
>>
>>> I may wait for the second production run, although that may be sold
>>> out by the end of Dayton ;-) I'm guessing 200 for the first run, and
>>> maybe as many as 1,000 for the second run. I would like to hear
>>> feedback between those runs, but I don't think there will be time for
>>> much feedback. My main concern would be hardware changes between runs
>>> on the first few runs, and how they would be handled for early
>>> buyers. Obviously firmware changes are no problem. As good as the K3
>>> design appears to be, there are always little running changes in a
>>> rollout.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Larry N8LP
>>
>>
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Bill Coleman-2

Re: Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-3

On May 1, 2007, at 10:44 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> If the K2 stability can be any example, remember that the K2 did
> not have significant hardware changes to the receiver or
> transmitter chains.

No? The 2nd XFIL mod, the BFO stability, PLL temperature
compensation, the KPA100 mods, the PLL stability mods all seem
significant to me.

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: [hidden email]
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
-- Wilbur Wright, 1901

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Don Wilhelm-3

Re: Elecraft customer service: appreciate it!

Bill,

Sorry that you missed my point - those changes, while significant, did
not change the block diagram - they did produce modifications of the
circuits within the blocks, but the transmit and receive chain were
unaltered.

Even these changes, while significant, did not result in extreme rework
of the K2 - of course, your concept of extreme rework may differ from
mine, but I relate to extreme changes as a *major* rework of the circuit
area rather than a minor change or addition of components.

I might point out that I have worked with large computer cards that have
had layers of change wiring that one had difficulty getting a 'scope
probe onto the pins of the card - that to me is major rework - the K2
rework changes are minor with that perspective.

73,
Don W3FPR

Bill Coleman wrote:

>
> On May 1, 2007, at 10:44 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>
>> If the K2 stability can be any example, remember that the K2 did not
>> have significant hardware changes to the receiver or transmitter chains.
>
> No? The 2nd XFIL mod, the BFO stability, PLL temperature compensation,
> the KPA100 mods, the PLL stability mods all seem significant to me.
>
> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: [hidden email]
> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
> -- Wilbur Wright, 1901
>
>
>
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