Firmware Stability

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Firmware Stability

BOB PHILBROOK
I am sitting here with K3 #818 with firmware release 1.7X waiting a version of the K3 firmware to stabilize and be around for longer than a few days before a new version or new Bata development is released.  Sort of like tracking a moving target that never stops moving.  I have noticed the frequency of firmware releases does not seem to diminish.  Am I expecting too much and should just join the crowd downloading release after release?

Bob, K9PAG
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Re: Firmware Stability

Don Wilhelm-4
Bob,

If you are happy with the firmware release that you have now, you are
certainly welcome to stay with it.
Just don't be surprised if when reporting a 'problem', that the answer
is that it has been fixed in firmware release x.xx.

I would recommend that you do keep up with the current public release
(or the beta release, your choice).

If the frequency of releases bothers you, why not just make a resolution
to check for a new release once a week - if a new one is available,
download it and install in your K3.

Elecraft is now trying to make the newest beta releases available as
soon as possible after the firmware field test group has had enough time
with the new version to know it does not have any major problems.  Many
owners do want the upgraded firmware as soon as possible, others, like
you, may not.

The choice is yours, but Elecraft (Wayne) does suggest that you use the
latest beta version - see his post earlier today.

73,
Don W3FPR

BOB PHILBROOK wrote:
> I am sitting here with K3 #818 with firmware release 1.7X waiting a version of the K3 firmware to stabilize and be around for longer than a few days before a new version or new Bata development is released.  Sort of like tracking a moving target that never stops moving.  I have noticed the frequency of firmware releases does not seem to diminish.  Am I expecting too much and should just join the crowd downloading release after release?
>
>  
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Re: Firmware Stability

Brett Howard
In reply to this post by BOB PHILBROOK
I've found upgrading to be VERY rewarding!  Actually it wasn't too long
ago that I was talking with Wayne when I'd had radio troubles and I'd
mentioned that I wished there was a way to erase memories.  He mentioned
that he didn't understand why I'd want that when all I had to do was
just write something else back over the top of it.  Mainly its just
cause I'm anal and like to have things clean and tidy....  Anyway he
decided it was a relatively simple fix and poof it showed up.  That was
a fun one cause many other than myself appreciated that one.

As well I had a slight problem in the way the scan feature worked.  I
sent an email to Wayne mentioning that I was having an issue that was
very repeatable that resulted in the receiver being muted with no way to
get out of it other than starting scanning again until it stops or power
cycling the radio.  There was a beta version of code that hadn't even
been released yet that Wayne emailed me and poof my problem was solved.
No remark of well you should buy the Elecraft K3 Mark IIG just oh here
is a firmware update that resolves your exact issue.  I should also
mention that I got this update on a Sunday evening!!!!  Wayne and Lyle
and the rest of the Elecraft crew are working their ASSES off to keep
these things moving forward and constantly improving.  If a new firmware
results in a regression I've seen that Wayne is VERY quick to jump on
those and get those resolved.  That's why often a release will result in
several subsequent releases.

My advice is most definitely keep up to date for several reasons.  First
off Wayne recommends it.  Secondly the more people we have using the
latest software the better it becomes as there are more people testing
it out in more ways.  We all operate slightly differently.  If we were
all the same then no issue would ever make it past the field testers.
Lastly the more often you update your rig the more you are allowed to
"grow" with it.  Things can change quite a bit from a version of the
code that you are running to the new code today.  Upgrading more often
can allow you to become accustomed to the changes and understand what is
new.  Its kinda like the difference between visiting with grandkids
every few months or only getting to see them every 5 years.  Only seeing
them every 5 years results in a lot more shock each time as to how much
they've changed rather than every few months.  That and it results in
MUCH less cheek pinching!!!  I'm not old enough to have grandkids yet
but hopefully my analogy makes sense.... :)

Thanks

Brett (KC7OTG)





On Wed, 2008-07-23 at 22:03 -0500, BOB PHILBROOK wrote:

> I am sitting here with K3 #818 with firmware release 1.7X waiting a version of the K3 firmware to stabilize and be around for longer than a few days before a new version or new Bata development is released.  Sort of like tracking a moving target that never stops moving.  I have noticed the frequency of firmware releases does not seem to diminish.  Am I expecting too much and should just join the crowd downloading release after release?
>
> Bob, K9PAG
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Re: K3 Firmware Stability

Geoffrey Downs-2
In reply to this post by BOB PHILBROOK
Personally I like the frequent firmware releases too. It's good to have it
developing and improving with new features etc. The whole firmware process
strikes me as honest, open and customer-friendly and miles ahead of what you
would get with some other manufacturers!

73 to all

Geoff
G3UCK

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AW: K3 Firmware Stability

Klaus Koppendorfer
i agree

Ver 2.19 sounds very good for me
AGC and also NR

73
OE6KYG
KX1 244
K2 1331
K3 115

>
> Personally I like the frequent firmware releases too. It's good to have it
> developing and improving with new features etc. The whole firmware process
> strikes me as honest, open and customer-friendly and miles ahead of what
> you
> would get with some other manufacturers!
>
> 73 to all
>
> Geoff
> G3UCK
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Re: Firmware Stability

drewko
In reply to this post by BOB PHILBROOK
On Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:03:51 -0500, Bob, K9PAG wrote:

>I am sitting here with K3 #818 with firmware release 1.7X waiting a version of the K3 firmware to stabilize and be around for longer than a few days before a new version or new Bata development is released.  Sort of like tracking a moving target that never stops moving.  I have noticed the frequency of firmware releases does not seem to diminish.  Am I expecting too much and should just join the crowd downloading release after release?
>
>Bob, K9PAG


It's really easy to update the firmware (or go back to previous
version) so I don't see any point in waiting for it to "stabilize". I
like the constant stream of fw revisions and enjoy installing them.

Usually products which boast upgradeable firmware will have a revision
or two (for major bug fixes) then that's it. With Elecraft you get the
idea that they will be enhancing the operation of the rig, not just
fixing a few major bugs and moving on to something else.

Having said that, I only install the updates when they involve some
feature that I'm interested in. I did the latest version because I'm
interested in the AGC mods.

I bet there are probably a number of firmware improvements since
version 1.7 which you would enjoy having. Have you checked the
revision history? It's located at

http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_fw_release_notes.htm


73,
Drew
AF2Z

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Re: Firmware Stability

.k8dd.-2
In reply to this post by Brett Howard
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brett Howard" <[hidden email]>

> Actually it wasn't too long
> ago that I was talking with Wayne when I'd had radio troubles and I'd
> mentioned that I wished there was a way to erase memories.  He mentioned
> that he didn't understand why I'd want that when all I had to do was
> just write something else back over the top of it.  Mainly its just
> cause I'm anal and like to have things clean and tidy....  Anyway he
> decided it was a relatively simple fix and poof it showed up.  That was
> a fun one cause many other than myself appreciated that one.
>
> As well I had a slight problem in the way the scan feature worked.  I
> sent an email to Wayne mentioning that I was having an issue that was
> very repeatable that resulted in the receiver being muted with no way to
> get out of it other than starting scanning again until it stops or power
> cycling the radio.  There was a beta version of code that hadn't even
> been released yet that Wayne emailed me and poof my problem was solved.


I always wondered how things got to the top of the wish list!

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RE: Firmware Stability

Brett Howard
Heck I think the scanning bug that I found had already been fixed when I
mentioned it.  Wayne actually mentioned that they'd been working on that and
he emailed me code in VERY short order.  But that was also a time in which
Elecraft had made it clear they were excited about the scan feature and they
wanted help testing it.  

I often find that asking for features in the area that the software engineer
is currently working is a good way to get things moved to the top of the
list.  When a guy is in tight an intimate with a section of code you're more
apt to get something fixed in that area of the project than if you ask about
something totally different.  

It's all about being flexible.  I mean honestly at this point in time (if
you choose to) each and every one of us is working for the elecraft software
test department.  You don't have to as you can stick on a firmware that
makes you happy and the rig operates to a level on par and better than most
other radios on the market.  You can stick and be satisfied or you can go
with the flow and grow with it.  Thankfully many are true elecrafters and
are willing to grow with the rig.  I'll admit I didn't get to grow up
through the ranks of a K2.  My first elecraft rig was a K1.  But I can
assure you I will be building a K2 someday...  Talk about a radio that has
become VASTLY more than what it was when it first hit the market!  And the
guys with very early K2 serial numbers can buy the upgraded boards at a
reasonable price and get the upgrades.

Granted I've got things about the K3 I want changed here and there but I've
got no complaints at all.  My problem is I work in this industry and
understand what it takes to get this stuff done...  Maybe my expectations
are too realistic...

-----Original Message-----
From: hank k8dd [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 1:32 PM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Firmware Stability

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brett Howard" <[hidden email]>

> Actually it wasn't too long
> ago that I was talking with Wayne when I'd had radio troubles and I'd
> mentioned that I wished there was a way to erase memories.  He mentioned
> that he didn't understand why I'd want that when all I had to do was
> just write something else back over the top of it.  Mainly its just
> cause I'm anal and like to have things clean and tidy....  Anyway he
> decided it was a relatively simple fix and poof it showed up.  That was
> a fun one cause many other than myself appreciated that one.
>
> As well I had a slight problem in the way the scan feature worked.  I
> sent an email to Wayne mentioning that I was having an issue that was
> very repeatable that resulted in the receiver being muted with no way to
> get out of it other than starting scanning again until it stops or power
> cycling the radio.  There was a beta version of code that hadn't even
> been released yet that Wayne emailed me and poof my problem was solved.


I always wondered how things got to the top of the wish list!

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Re: K3 Firmware Stability

N5GE
In reply to this post by Geoffrey Downs-2
On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:02:10 +0100, "Geoffrey Downs"
<[hidden email]> wrote:

>Personally I like the frequent firmware releases too. It's good to have it
>developing and improving with new features etc. The whole firmware process
>strikes me as honest, open and customer-friendly and miles ahead of what you
>would get with some other manufacturers!
>
>73 to all
>
>Geoff
>G3UCK
[snip]

I agree!  I have an Orion II and during the two years I've had it there were
only two firmware updates.

Tom, N5GE - SWOT 3537 - Grid EM12jq

"Those who would give up
Essential Liberty to
purchase a little Temporary
Safety deserve neither
Liberty nor Safety"

An excerpt from a letter
written in 1755 from the
Assembly to the Governor
of Pennsylvania.

Support the entire Constitution, not
just the parts you like.

http://www.n5ge.com
http://www.eQSL.cc/Member.cfm?N5GE

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Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
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K3 Firmware Stability - wrong description

hf4me
In reply to this post by Geoffrey Downs-2
We are not really talking about stability here.  Generally, we are talking
about variations is existing functions between versions that some weren't
expecting.  If there was a setting that got bumped accidentally during an
upgrade, well, that's the way it is sometimes.  Not a big deal and it gets
fixed right away.  The end result is more functionality in a radio that
continues to grow even after you buy it.  And if your idea of an additional
or varied function is feasible, it may even be implemented.  Try that with
one of the other manufacturers.  It would get posted in the break room as a
joke.

Think about this.  You buy ANY other radio and you get what you bought,
period.  Like it or not.   (Flex 5000 maybe??, but you have a better radio
here).  It MAY get a bug fix or two but it certainly will not get any
enhancements and YOU certainly won't have any input.

The concept of bringing the "kit" radio to the market, allowing you to
configure it in the manner you like, and even upgrade it with other options
later is what one could only hope for until now.

THANKS, ELECRAFT, AND KEEP IT UP.

Owner wannabe,
Awaiting my k3,
Jim


----- Original Message -----
From: "Geoffrey Downs" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 5:02 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Firmware Stability


> Personally I like the frequent firmware releases too. It's good to have it
> developing and improving with new features etc. The whole firmware process
> strikes me as honest, open and customer-friendly and miles ahead of what
you

> would get with some other manufacturers!
>
> 73 to all
>
> Geoff
> G3UCK
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> 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
>

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