Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 144, Issue 12

[Elecraft mailing list]

On 08/04/16 23:36, [hidden email] wrote:

> Message: 8
> Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2016 12:08:49 -0600
> From: Ken G Kopp<[hidden email]>
> To:[hidden email],[hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft Utilities
> Message-ID:
> <[hidden email]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Wayne and Eric:
>
> PLEASE don't cave in to the requests of those on the reflectors who are
> asking
> you to disclose the "genetic makeup" of their radios by publishing the
> software
> that would enable anyone to modify how a given radio operates.
>
> I see this as no different than a breeder of a thoroughbred breed of dog
> opening
> the pen and letting all comers mate with the females.  You would end up
> with a
> "contaminated" breed.
>
> I envision an increased workload at Elecraft in dealing with the customers
> who
> manage to "mess up" their radio's "brains" and want help in restoring them
> to
> the original state.  Nothing but non-profit overhead.
>
> I would be wary ... read "never" ... of buying a used Elecraft product for
> fear
> that it's genetic makeup had been altered and really wasn't an Elecraft
> anymore.
>
> Perhaps I'm not understanding something ...
>
> 73!
>
> Ken Kopp - K0PP
> Full K-line, KX3, PX3, KXPA100, K2/100, W2's, etc.

Hi.

It's not the internal secrets of the radios that is wanting to be
revealed, just the ability to run the firmware maintenance utilities
(I'd also include the XG3 tool in the list) on a non ix86 platform, such
as the Pi.

It could be done independently, as it's trivial to intercept the data
flowing between the PC and rig, then write from scratch something to do
the same.   That could then be released as open source so could then be
built (compiled) to be used on other platforms.  I'm sure there are some
reading this list that have the skills (I don't, but I have looked at
the serial traffic between rig and software.)

In the case of the Pi, it already runs Linux.   Plus there are already
Linux versions of the K3/KX3 and XG3 tools, but as they are not open
source, they can't be built to run on the ARM equipped Pi's or Beagle
Bones by us "the paying users" of the equipment.  Shame really.

It would be relatively easy for the authors concerned to create an ARM
compatible Linux version, but that takes time to do and importantly test
and perfect, as there are always subtle differences to trip over, that
and "They" don't have Pi's or BBB's in their shack's, to test on.

A "Command line" version of just the firmware up-loader tool's would
indeed be a fine compromise for many.   Such things can always be
wrapped in a simple GUI or desktop launcher for those who suffer fright
of black screens and just text!  ;-)

The 64/32 bit thing is also possible to overcome, in the same way as
x86/ARM cpu compatibility, but that does mean potentially multiple
versions of the same tool's!

I don't know if the Pi (or BB's) can have a Java run time installed.  
If so, the Elecraft tools could be ported to Java, then that can be run
on anything that supports a JRE.   Many many similar tools for other
(non radio) and some Ham products are run that way.

Anyway, add my name/call to the list of "interested parties" in regards
to Pi compatible (however done) Elecraft support tools.

73.

Dave G0WBX.



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[Elecraft mailing list]

The Pi and BB can indeed run Java and pretty much anything else that
normally runs on linux.

Doug -- K0DXV

On 4/9/2016 1:50 PM, Dave B via Elecraft wrote:

> On 08/04/16 23:36, [hidden email] wrote:
>> Message: 8
>> Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2016 12:08:49 -0600
>> From: Ken G Kopp<[hidden email]>
>> To:[hidden email],[hidden email]
>> Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft Utilities
>> Message-ID:
>>     <[hidden email]>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>>
>> Wayne and Eric:
>>
>> PLEASE don't cave in to the requests of those on the reflectors who are
>> asking
>> you to disclose the "genetic makeup" of their radios by publishing the
>> software
>> that would enable anyone to modify how a given radio operates.
>>
>> I see this as no different than a breeder of a thoroughbred breed of dog
>> opening
>> the pen and letting all comers mate with the females.  You would end up
>> with a
>> "contaminated" breed.
>>
>> I envision an increased workload at Elecraft in dealing with the
>> customers
>> who
>> manage to "mess up" their radio's "brains" and want help in restoring
>> them
>> to
>> the original state.  Nothing but non-profit overhead.
>>
>> I would be wary ... read "never" ... of buying a used Elecraft
>> product for
>> fear
>> that it's genetic makeup had been altered and really wasn't an Elecraft
>> anymore.
>>
>> Perhaps I'm not understanding something ...
>>
>> 73!
>>
>> Ken Kopp - K0PP
>> Full K-line, KX3, PX3, KXPA100, K2/100, W2's, etc.
> Hi.
>
> It's not the internal secrets of the radios that is wanting to be
> revealed, just the ability to run the firmware maintenance utilities
> (I'd also include the XG3 tool in the list) on a non ix86 platform,
> such as the Pi.
>
> It could be done independently, as it's trivial to intercept the data
> flowing between the PC and rig, then write from scratch something to
> do the same.   That could then be released as open source so could
> then be built (compiled) to be used on other platforms.  I'm sure
> there are some reading this list that have the skills (I don't, but I
> have looked at the serial traffic between rig and software.)
>
> In the case of the Pi, it already runs Linux.   Plus there are already
> Linux versions of the K3/KX3 and XG3 tools, but as they are not open
> source, they can't be built to run on the ARM equipped Pi's or Beagle
> Bones by us "the paying users" of the equipment.  Shame really.
>
> It would be relatively easy for the authors concerned to create an ARM
> compatible Linux version, but that takes time to do and importantly
> test and perfect, as there are always subtle differences to trip over,
> that and "They" don't have Pi's or BBB's in their shack's, to test on.
>
> A "Command line" version of just the firmware up-loader tool's would
> indeed be a fine compromise for many.   Such things can always be
> wrapped in a simple GUI or desktop launcher for those who suffer
> fright of black screens and just text!  ;-)
>
> The 64/32 bit thing is also possible to overcome, in the same way as
> x86/ARM cpu compatibility, but that does mean potentially multiple
> versions of the same tool's!
>
> I don't know if the Pi (or BB's) can have a Java run time installed.  
> If so, the Elecraft tools could be ported to Java, then that can be
> run on anything that supports a JRE.   Many many similar tools for
> other (non radio) and some Ham products are run that way.
>
> Anyway, add my name/call to the list of "interested parties" in
> regards to Pi compatible (however done) Elecraft support tools.
>
> 73.
>
> Dave G0WBX.
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

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