K2 Control software

[Gary Hvizdak]

On Feb 8, 2007 Tom wrote ...

Can we get access to the software that runs the controller and menus, so if
we wanted different menu/switch functionality, it could be changed?

--- - - - ---

Hi Tom,

    The K2 firmware is proprietary and is so carefully protected that not
even the object code is disclosed.  Yes, having access to the object code
would make it possible for users to upgrade their firmware electronically,
rather than having to purchase replacement MCUs.  However, it would also
make it very easy to clone the K2, thereby stealing the design plans for
the K2's hardware and software, which are Elecraft's intellectual property.

73,
Gary
KI4GGX

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[Tom Zeltwanger]

Gary,

What a shame. I think you are missing an opportunity, but I certainly
understand your decision, and it IS your intellectual property.

I think the chance that someone would clone the hardware design is small, and
if they wanted to, that could be done now, and I'm sure software could be
written to control it.

If you released some software under something like the GPL used by the open
source software community, nobody else could do anything that they did not have
to disclose.

Thanks for a great product. I'm still building mine, but already thinking about
what interesting things I can do with it, other than the obvious.

73,

Tom KG3V


Quoting Gary Hvizdak <[hidden email]>:

> On Feb 8, 2007 Tom wrote ...
>
> Can we get access to the software that runs the controller and menus, so if
> we wanted different menu/switch functionality, it could be changed?
>
> --- - - - ---
>
> Hi Tom,
>
>     The K2 firmware is proprietary and is so carefully protected that not
> even the object code is disclosed.  Yes, having access to the object code
> would make it possible for users to upgrade their firmware electronically,
> rather than having to purchase replacement MCUs.  However, it would also
> make it very easy to clone the K2, thereby stealing the design plans for
> the K2's hardware and software, which are Elecraft's intellectual property.
>
> 73,
> Gary
> KI4GGX
>
>

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[Fred (FL)]

Probably the very last thing Elecraft would want to
do, is to release the source for their firmware in the
K2.

I suspect there is like 999lbs of code in a 1000lb
container!  If you know what I mean. Often firmware
is written even with real-time timed loops, and all
sorts of interrupt tricks - to make it work correctly.
If Elecraft were to ever do that - they'd end up with
service requests like; "...I just changed 10 bytes
of firmware, and now the K2 locks up, every time I
power on!?"

At one point in my distant career - I was responsible
for the support and maintenance of Kodak's office
copier 8080a firmware.  Then we had 99999.99 bytes
of code, in a 100000.00 container!  Even changing
a few bytes of structured-assembler code - often
caused great havoc in the copier's operation.
Unfortunately too - the firmware was minimally
documented, except for a few experts brains.
Scarey business.  But probably more structured
than it was in the 90's.

Perhaps the K2 is not so real-time sensitive.
But who knows.  The designer(s) does!

Maybe in the K3, they will let us get into
it!

Good Luck,
Fred N3CSY


 
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