Just how long is the field testing going to take ?
Posted 2 years ago
KY6LA - Howard, Elmer
KY6LA - Howard, Elmer
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
Fred, the answer is field testing will conclude when FlexRadio feels that the product has reached a quality level where it can be released based on the feedback from our testing team. This is no different than the quality process that we undertake when releasing software. It is challenging to quantify something like a specific time period when there are still a few unknowns to be known that come to light when our testing team puts the new product through a series of real-world use cases.
And I can honestly tell you that everyone at FlexRadio and I mean everyone wants nothing more than to ship you your new radio or amplifier as soon as possible. It is our singular focus as it has been for the past months. It is easy to give in to external pressures and relax your quality processes to meet an arbitrary ship date. We want to provide the best user experience possible with our products and it is going to take just a little longer to achieve that goal. We appreciate your patience. Thank you.
And I can honestly tell you that everyone at FlexRadio and I mean everyone wants nothing more than to ship you your new radio or amplifier as soon as possible. It is our singular focus as it has been for the past months. It is easy to give in to external pressures and relax your quality processes to meet an arbitrary ship date. We want to provide the best user experience possible with our products and it is going to take just a little longer to achieve that goal. We appreciate your patience. Thank you.
(Edited)
From posts I've seen elsewhere, it would seem Icom is having just this problem. Releasing before enough real world testing has taken place. Even though I am anxious to get my 6600M, I would rather testing is as complete as reasonably possible, before I put it thru it's paces at my place.
James
WD5GWY
James
WD5GWY
Gerald - K5SDR, Employee
Let me add that there are no known problems with either the production hardware or software for the new radios. This is our fifth generation direct sampling, network based radio design going back to 2008 for the government. In fact for a large number of you, your radio is already assembled and tested waiting to pull the trigger for shipment.
Since there is only one SmartSDR that runs all radios, we have to make sure that we have completed appropriated field testing on all FLEX-6000 models before general release. This is to make sure we haven't missed something in the software merge for all the new hardware products on to the SmartSDR general release. We also want to make sure the user experience is right out of the box. You want us to take that kind care I am sure.
None of you want it sooner than I do. Soon means soon but not sooner than it should be. ;>)
73,
Gerald
Since there is only one SmartSDR that runs all radios, we have to make sure that we have completed appropriated field testing on all FLEX-6000 models before general release. This is to make sure we haven't missed something in the software merge for all the new hardware products on to the SmartSDR general release. We also want to make sure the user experience is right out of the box. You want us to take that kind care I am sure.
None of you want it sooner than I do. Soon means soon but not sooner than it should be. ;>)
73,
Gerald
Proud and elated to own one of these radio's Gerald.
Compliments and congratulations to you and your staff.
Merry Christmas and thanks for doing it your way.
Simply the best!
Compliments and congratulations to you and your staff.
Merry Christmas and thanks for doing it your way.
Simply the best!
Very helpful and informative post. Many thanks and happy holidays to the Flex staff....
@WD5GWY,
OMG, the owner feedback on the 7610, including from Rob Sherwood, is terrible! Can't believe it Icom would release a radio like this.
See it for your self http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/13607
OMG, the owner feedback on the 7610, including from Rob Sherwood, is terrible! Can't believe it Icom would release a radio like this.
See it for your self http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/13607
Looks like they like the radio to me,,why shouldn't they?
Yes, people do like the radio. James was trying to spread rumors to the contrary:
From posts I've seen elsewhere, it would seem Icom is having just this problem. Releasing before enough real world testing has taken place.
@ Howard i tink that kind answer generate lot of frustration
now is much more hardware related ,so flex have already prototype on hand since at least Xenia ,based on picture of flexinsider it have at least over 60 radio near complete and PCB for ~150 more ,i think that if flex put million of dollars in part to assemble PCB , it knot that that it work flayless
so beta testing of radio it much more for testing very minor production glitch so usually short time
think that it likely that flex start to ship right after Xmas holiday
not to forgot that seem that Beta Team have on had since some time now the new Smartsdr
so part of the testing job is already started
think to said something like 15 January some of the first batch radio will be delivery is a good guest
now is much more hardware related ,so flex have already prototype on hand since at least Xenia ,based on picture of flexinsider it have at least over 60 radio near complete and PCB for ~150 more ,i think that if flex put million of dollars in part to assemble PCB , it knot that that it work flayless
so beta testing of radio it much more for testing very minor production glitch so usually short time
think that it likely that flex start to ship right after Xmas holiday
not to forgot that seem that Beta Team have on had since some time now the new Smartsdr
so part of the testing job is already started
think to said something like 15 January some of the first batch radio will be delivery is a good guest
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
Without going into a lot of details, it's more than just minor glitches. A lot of what we do as alpha testers is UAT - User Acceptance Testing. We come from a wide cross section of the amateur community. I am a contester and DXer, but I also rag chew. Some of us like nets. Some like CW operation. One guy is a hard core VHF/UHF operator and uses transverters a lot. Then you have multi op stations like K9CT who basically put everything through its paces on a contest weekend. If we don't like something we let the dev team know. They will come back to us with modifications, we test and provide our feedback.
Personally I don't want anything reaching you that I won't like using myself. I look at competitive products and also observe other operators' style of operating. I monitor the contest reflectors and the contest results to see who scored how high using what equipment and how. All of this gets fed back to the team when I see something I wish Flex would do, or that they can do better.
As for this new release, there are a number of factors at play. There are at least five new hardware products - 6400, 6600, and M versions, and the Power Genius XL. All of them are integrated with this new version of SmartSDR.
Personally I don't want anything reaching you that I won't like using myself. I look at competitive products and also observe other operators' style of operating. I monitor the contest reflectors and the contest results to see who scored how high using what equipment and how. All of this gets fed back to the team when I see something I wish Flex would do, or that they can do better.
As for this new release, there are a number of factors at play. There are at least five new hardware products - 6400, 6600, and M versions, and the Power Genius XL. All of them are integrated with this new version of SmartSDR.
HI Ria i have made reference to "hardware" part of the radio
since software glitch not delay the production of the radio , even if ship only when all work , that what make SDR great , after radio is out , radio still in evolution
since software glitch not delay the production of the radio , even if ship only when all work , that what make SDR great , after radio is out , radio still in evolution
KY6LA - Howard, Elmer
Je plaisantais sur le correctif du correctif parce que j’étais fatigué des gens poser la même question maintes et maintes fois
;-) pas de rancune cetait pas personnel , must admit that i was bit upset today ,yesterday snow storm leave 18" of snow so likely that now that must wait for next April for going back to air so likely miss for sure Bouvet on EME
guest it time for me to work for fit snow thrower into a ski-doo
guest it time for me to work for fit snow thrower into a ski-doo
Keep in mind that there is also a release of SmartSDR that will need to be ALPHA tested with the new hardware.
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
They go hand in hand as the new hardware is dependent on the new software.
It'll be good (fingers crossed)...
All these comments make me believe shipment will not begin "SOON". I hope I am mistaken..
David Decoons wo2x, Elmer
Not sure of exact timeframe for word "soon" but Flex has already been testing in-house.
The reason for field testing is what Ria outlined above, in the real world we can help verify and test many more configurations with peripheral hardware and software than you can in a lab environment.
Since the new radios and software are built to support the old radios as well we also need to ensure that the existing radios continue to work without any regressions.
Even though the time for releases is longer than people would like the quality of the releases is much better than early on in the history of the 6000 series. I thought the 2.0 rollout went very smooth.
Dave wo2x
The reason for field testing is what Ria outlined above, in the real world we can help verify and test many more configurations with peripheral hardware and software than you can in a lab environment.
Since the new radios and software are built to support the old radios as well we also need to ensure that the existing radios continue to work without any regressions.
Even though the time for releases is longer than people would like the quality of the releases is much better than early on in the history of the 6000 series. I thought the 2.0 rollout went very smooth.
Dave wo2x
The Flex definition of soon has been lengthened drastically from its Webster definition. I just hope the field testing doesnt drag out for another few months.
I wish Flex would follow the Apple model of new product announcements with the products available in volume a week after the announcement.
I think if Flex had the operating capital that Apple has they would probably do that
I was really hoping
to have a new 6600M under the tree this year but it doesn't look like
that’s going to happen. ;(
We shall survive!
Apple announced the new iMac Pro on June 5 and some versions are just now becoming available--have to wait until January for other versions.
Mike - VE3CKO, Elmer
I FRS followed the Apple model that would mean we would have millions upon millions of hams and you think there is QRM now. Apple can accommodate because they have the numbers to commit to very large production runs.
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager