Pending Maestro release ??

Peter

Are there others like me wondering if some may have "jump-the-gun" in saying that Maestro would be available since last November/December of 2015 time frame, it's now May 2016 almost ?


Just wondering!!!

Peter

KF4HR

Peter - Best to read through the latest Maestro thread. Gerald recently posted basically saying FRS and the beta testers are still working through software issues and when he feels it's ready, he'll start shipping.

Ron Morgan

There have been a few production pictures posted that show the new products going through initial buildup and testing. We are all eager and want a bug free product. I'd prefer not to be on the Bleeding edge as some of our Alpha Testers.

Mike va3mw

Peter, it is close. I know those sound like just words, but it is darn close. Tim might be able to say more. Mike va3mw

Ian1

If you want to be cutting edge there is a price to pay this is just one of those examples. Next will be when you take delivery and run into some minor issues. But isn't that what Ham Radio operators used to contend with all the time years ago. Ian

Lewis Cheek

Guess it will arrive when it does, sure nothing I can do to speed it up. Seems it's a way of life for forecast dates to be just that a forecast. What I really would like to see is the documents so I'll have some insight of what to expect. Understanding documents are subject to update. I would think at this point Flex would have Maestro nailed down, except for a few minor changes. POST MANUALS GUYS, surely you have something that is 90 percent.

Lew
N4CO

Steve W6SDM

I would much have something released when it's complete and working completely, not just to make some marketing date.  I wish the automobile industry felt the same - they would save a lot of money on recalls - not to mention lives due to defective products.

Steve K9ZW

Check out https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/finding-maestro  - maybe yours is in the picture - and also lots in Flex-Insiders (you got to sign up for the newsletter if you haven't already!)

FlexRadio Systems is doing an awesome amount of preparations for this launch and it is closer every hour!  I was told to expect an email with directions on how to confirm details, including payment and accessories, when the time comes. 

Have also been told the soft cases for the Maestro really look great, and that the hard case offering will be done at a later date.

I'd guess when we each get our emails and complete the responses we'll have a really good idea if it is time to order batteries and other non-FRS accessories!

Anticipation is such a tease, isn't it!

73

Steve

K9ZW

Peter

I hope that I am not being misunderstood as bashing Flexradio, I think they are doing a wonderful job. I just thought that all of the major Apha/Beta testing would have been locked down (to some degree) before setting a release date six months ago.

Peter

Ernest - W4EG

Peter,
I hope by now you know the old adage. "Things(replace this with your favorite word) happens!"
I hope you have the same expectations from the rice box companies.

Gerald-K5SDR

Peter,

As my kids used to say on long trips, "Are we there yet?"

A good friend of mine owns a company that builds commercial buildings such as hospitals.  He built a new building at our church that took over a year to get through the approval process at the city.  We kept thinking any day now they can start.  Then the building finally went up and looked like it was nearing completion.  I asked him how things were going and he said, "All we have left is finishing up."  It took four more months after that before we got a certificate of occupancy.  

The city had approved drawings for all of the fire protection system including the smoke detectors.  They came in and said we had to add more smoke detectors and different levels in the rooms.  Next when testing the system, the alarms did not properly control the sound systems.  On and on it seemed like there was one unexpected issue after another that delayed things another week or two and then another week or two.  Even after the certificate of occupancy was approved my friend told me, "All we have left is finishing up."

My friend does not have any software nor electronic hardware to develop.  However, he and I fully identify with each other when it comes to "finishing up."  Stuff happens that you don't expect.  You try to factor those things in on the front end but no one is prescient when it comes to planning complex projects.

Are we there yet?  Almost there.  We're just finishing up.  ;>)

Gerald

James Whiteway

Or, as a truck driver would say, " all I lack is getting there!"

Tim - W4TME

I cannot add anything more than what Gerald has already shared.

Tim - W4TME

We have posted everything on the web site related to Maestro that is ready for public release.

Lewis Cheek

Got it Tim, you stated so before. My guess is FLEX does NOT want to answer questions before Maestro rolls out. I suspect FRS will be loaded with questions about, can I do this, why didn't you do it this way, etc., hope staff is ready to address. Please not a Friday evening public dump like what goes on in Washington.

I have a Flex, and Maestro on order, but I don't drink the kool aid like others. My radio is NOT the best thing since sliced bread, and was hoping to know what to expect before the brown truck arrives.

Lew
N4CO

Steve K9ZW

Peter. If you've been following along the community and the Flex-Insiders, especially the Maestro special editions you wouldn't have self-formulated such a misconception. The information is all there, much of it spelled out by Gerald himself. None of it supports your pipe dream that a fully developed ready to go product has been held back . When it is ready, it is ready. Being ready doesn't depend on what anyone other than FlexRadio System decides. We've been told it is soon - but like on a commercial plane flight when the flight tracker shows your flight nearing, but the buckle seatbelt light hasn't gone on and the cabin crew is still walking around, it just ain't "landing time" yet! 73 Steve K9ZW

Tim - W4TME

We never release software or new products on a Friday.  Our support team works very hard and sometimes long hours during the work week, so we do not want to do anything purposely that would extend that another 7 days (weekend + the next work week)

AA0KM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSs6DcA6dFI

Lewis Cheek

I'll sleep better now, knowing I might receive a answer in timely manner

Lew
N4CO

Ernest - W4EG

If more Flex owners would listen and see that youtube video: They would have more time to enjoy their radio: And stop wondering when FRS is going to deliver this or that; when promise!

Thanks Jeff aka AA0KM

Norm - W7CK

Tim, "We never release software or new products on a Friday".   It sounds like there are a bunch of old sailors working there at Flex....  Departing Port on a Friday was considered very very bad luck - superstition....

The reluctance of **** to sail on a Friday reached such epic proportions, that in the 1800s the British Government decided to take strong measures to prove the fallacy of the superstition. They laid the keel of a new vessel on Friday, selected her crew on a Friday, launched her on a Friday and named her HMS Friday. They then placed her in command of one Captain James Friday and sent her to sea for the first time on a Friday. The scheme worked well, and had only one drawback ... neither ship nor crew was ever heard from again.






HMS Friday is an urban legend and believed to be false. 

Key word above is "believed"

Norm - W7CK - S/V Celebration

Norm - W7CK

Geez, I'm on my 5th bottle of wine and still no Maestro!   hahaha... That was a great video.  I don't care how long it takes for FRS to release the Maestro.  I just feel really special that I bought into a company with a philosophy that shares their FUTURE product line with the public.  I think it is pretty special that FRS lets us know what they are working on and what they are trying to produce well in advance of its release.  Shoot, do you know any other companies producing ham radio products that do this?  I don't. 

I think its fun hearing about a product way before its actual release date.  BUT, I fear this may be the last time FRS actually announces a product before it is ready for shipping.  With all of the complaining and general discontent, I don't foresee them sharing much with the community in the future.  I sure hope I'm wrong, but if it were me, I'd put the wraps on pre-announcements of all future development either software or hardware.  After all, we've already lost the Road Map.  Its only common sense that this is next.  Thanks folks!

Norm - W7CK

John Leonard

Oops! I went ahead and ordered a battery so it would be fully charged and ready to go when the Maestro does get here... I may have placed that order on a Friday... Good grief, I sure hope it wasn't me jinking the software debugging process...

(I'm kidding... please no QSL cards with white powder in the envelope) (grin)

Norm - W7CK

Ahoy Mate!  No use turning back for the harbor at this point.  You may as well weather out whatever is ahead and hope for the best.  God be with you!

George KF2T

Wow, after five bottles of wine, I would swear my dachshund is a Maestro.

ka7gzr

My experience has been with software development is to make the release dates. Slide the functionality if need be and don't release buggy software. The management of the software development is to not make promises the team can't keep. The ultimate "talent" of a software manager is to know the abilities of the developers and coders and the testers in foresight not in hindsight.

Jim

Peter

Hi Steve, with all due respect, I don't think FRS need anyone to defend them, Gerald has explained the challenges one encounters when producing a product very well, and without thinking that my question was a "misconception"  or "pipe dream". I think RFS does an excellent job at defending themselves with the questions that are being asked on here and not take them as a personal attacks on them or their products. BRAVO FRS!!

73
Peter

Peter

Thanks to RFS their feedback.

One last comment and this can be closed.

I have  noticed that when some questions are posted on here that they draw the irony of some Flex users. Seem like some Flex owners feel that they have to defend RFS (who
I think do a fantastic job of defending themselves). I believe RFS created this community site to
bring ALL Flex users together to share information and to get feedback from their users. Some of us are more educated, more technical and more experience Hams but we all have in common that fact that we have invested our hard earn money in a Flex Radio and as such have the right to ask questions.


So my suggestion is this, lets stop the browbeating, sarcasm, and superiority complex shown by some members in this group, let RFS defend themselves!


73
Peter
VE3PCD

Steve K9ZW

If posters would actually read prior posts, particularly the most recently posted information - a lot of banter would be avoided.

When FRS communicates over and over actual information, posts that read to bemoan the schedule take on a near troll-like tone. Perhaps unintentionally but the intellectual sloth that leads to ignoring the announced information sure leads to these posts sounding like they are picking a fight.

That is simply the natural response to post that read as complaints.

To now moan about not getting the agreement to incorrect assumptions resulting from being too lazy to read what the FRS announced status is certainly isn't helpful either.

FRS does an awesome job of communicating AND if you really want to know more have always been wonderful communicators in private.

YMMV but posting "Are there others like me wondering if some may have "jump-the-gun" in saying that Maestro would be available since last November/December of 2015 time frame, it's now May 2016 almost ?" when even Gerald is communicating about a very impending release, including candor with exceptional insight into what the final hurdles are, sure doesn't read like anything sort of "**** stirring " at best.

At least it sure comes across that way.

73

Steve
K9ZW

Tim - W4TME

Topic closed as per the poster's request.