A lot of the comments about software problems are due to people not
reading the release notes, not understanding multiple configuration
options, not accurately following the assembly manuals, as well as newly
licensed hams who bypass entry level radios in favor of sophisticated
rigs that end up being over their heads. A fair number of comments are
also mere grousing for the sake of grousing.
As noted after nearly every firmware release, gripes are frequently
followed by praise once the new options are understood and played with.
The assertion that each new release is a step backward is patently
untrue (and also unfair). By comparison, the Big Three NEVER release
information about hardware or firmware upgrades, NEVER encourage
retrofitting, and NEVER even answer email. They want you to buy new stuff.
Elecraft on the other hand is still supporting all their rigs, still
upgrading both hardware and software (KX1 has a new p.a.) even as they
are fine-tuning the K3. Many purchasers have marveled that their emails
to the support staff get answered within hours, even on the weekends.
Independent testing, as the writer below calls it, IS being done by
over a dozen beta-testers working without pay for the love of the
product and the hobby. A lot of the so-called "issues" alluded to in
this post are merely personal preferences that are not shared by the
majority of purchasers. It is to Elecraft's credit that they have bent
over backward to accommodate even the eclectic among us while
maintaining an affordable radio that has superior performance.
But the most important fact to keep in mind is that none of us are share
holders. It's not our company. "Suggest" all you want, but it's their
debt, their mortgage, their retirement, their business AND . . . none of
ours.
Kent K9ZTV
Someone wrote:
I don't know to what extent or to what degree the tests of K3 firmware and DSP
upgrades must reach before being released for general use.
However, it is apparent to me with the numerous issues with NR and DSP that
more needs to be done before K3 software products are released for general use.
While I have no aversion to software upgrades, one does not want to trade one
set of problems for others. This, unfortunately, appears to be happening more
and more as the software becomes more extensive in capabilities.
I don't know if Elecraft utilizes such techniques, but independent verification and validation (IV&V) of software has proven time and time again to work. One cannot expect a software developer to adequately test his work.
Independent testing by a third party against approved criteria catches many
bugs and problems developers fail to see. And unless one has a rigorous,
structured software testing effort, problems such as those with DSP and NR will
come back and bite you every time. Having software tested by the developer
often leads to the old problem of two steps forward and one in reverse with
software releases.
I make the suggestion that more time be spent proofing firmware and DSP upgrades
and for Elecraft to employ software IV&V.
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