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#1
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Bert Craig wrote:
"Dave Heil" wrote in message ... "Steven R. Adell - KF2TI" wrote: In article , says... "KØHB" wrote in message thlink.net... I'm in love..... http://www.icom.co.jp/world/products...7800/index.htm ....or maybe in lust. Wowee! I Like Ike(com)! And a Wowee price $9995.00 (discounted) KJI Electronics I'll just keep slogging along with my ancient Orion. For the price of a '7800, I could own three Orions. Dave K8MN I believe that's the beauty of the Orion, it's never "ancient." The latest upgrade is just a download away. I feel for the poor slob who finally breaks down and buys a '7800 just before the '7800 Pro or Pro II comes out. TT just keeps making it better and better. The rig is now about eight months old and I've downloaded about ten firmware releases in that time. Dave K8MN |
#2
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In article , Dave Heil
writes: I believe that's the beauty of the Orion, it's never "ancient." The latest upgrade is just a download away. I feel for the poor slob who finally breaks down and buys a '7800 just before the '7800 Pro or Pro II comes out. TT just keeps making it better and better. The rig is now about eight months old and I've downloaded about ten firmware releases in that time. "FIRMWARE releases?!?" Gosh, you must be equipped with a Star Trek Transporter! :-) Oh, you mean SOFTWARE updates, right? Let's see, that's more than one per month. I would think that Orion could have stabilized the programming by now. No new band changes have happened in eight months... :-) Gosh, Orion must "not be interested in radio" if they can't get their software routines stabilized by now... LHA |
#3
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Len Over 21 wrote: In article , Dave Heil writes: I believe that's the beauty of the Orion, it's never "ancient." The latest upgrade is just a download away. I feel for the poor slob who finally breaks down and buys a '7800 just before the '7800 Pro or Pro II comes out. TT just keeps making it better and better. The rig is now about eight months old and I've downloaded about ten firmware releases in that time. "FIRMWARE releases?!?" Yes, firmware releases. Gosh, you must be equipped with a Star Trek Transporter! :-) No, just a PC with an internet connection. Oh, you mean SOFTWARE updates, right? No, I don't. I mean firmware updates. Let's see, that's more than one per month. - Version 1.325 - initial release 03/26/03 Version 1.326 03/27/03 Version 1.327 03/28/03 Version 1.328 03/31/03 Version 1.329 04/01/03 Version 1.330 04/02/03 Version 1.331 04/03/04 Version 1.332 04/04/03 Version 1.333 04/06/03 Version 1.334 04/07/03 Version 1.335 04/08/03 Version 1.336 04/10/03 Version 1.337 04/11/03 - 04/13/03 Version 1.338 04/14/03 - 04/16/03 Version 1.339 04/26/03-05/06/03 Version 1.340 05/12/03-05/14/03 Version 1.341 05/19/03-05/22/03 Version 1.342 05/27/03 Version 1.343 06/03/03 Version 1.344 06/06/03 Version 1.345 06/11/03 Version 1.346 06/13/03 Version 1.347 06/25/03 Version 1.348 07/08/03 Version 1.349 07/10/03 VERSION 1.350 07/29/03 Version 1.351 08/07/03 Version 1.352 08/11/03 Version 1.353 08/12/03 Version 1.354 08/15/03 Version 1.355 08/19/03 Version 1.356 08/21/03 Version 1.357 08/22/03 Version 1.358 08/25/03 Version 1.359 09/12/03 Version 1.360 09/16/03 Version 1.361 09/25/03 Version 1.362 10/06/03 Version 1.363 10/22/03 Version 1.364 10/23/03 Version 1.365 11/14/03 Version 1.366 12/19/03 Version 1.367 Well, it certainly looks like more than one per month, doesn't it old fellow? Interestingly, the manufacturer lists the above list under "Firmware Revision History". I would think that Orion could have stabilized the programming by now. No new band changes have happened in eight months... :-) Really? I seem to recall adding 60m capability to the Orion. Weren't you paying attention? Were you under the impression that "band changes" were the only things which could be modified in the Orion? Gosh, Orion must "not be interested in radio" if they can't get their software routines stabilized by now... "Orion" isn't? It would seem that the Ten-Tec folks would show their lack of interest by not issuing any updates at all. You may resume your nap, Leonard. Dave K8MN |
#4
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In article , Dave Heil
writes: Len Over 21 wrote: In article , Dave Heil writes: I believe that's the beauty of the Orion, it's never "ancient." The latest upgrade is just a download away. I feel for the poor slob who finally breaks down and buys a '7800 just before the '7800 Pro or Pro II comes out. TT just keeps making it better and better. The rig is now about eight months old and I've downloaded about ten firmware releases in that time. "FIRMWARE releases?!?" Yes, firmware releases. Gosh, you must be equipped with a Star Trek Transporter! :-) No, just a PC with an internet connection. Oh, you mean SOFTWARE updates, right? No, I don't. I mean firmware updates. Get it straight, Herr Robust. "Firmware" is hardware. There is NO computer system anywhere in the world that will "download firmware." Let's see, that's more than one per month. - Version 1.325 - initial release 03/26/03 Version 1.326 03/27/03 Version 1.327 03/28/03 Version 1.328 03/31/03 Version 1.329 04/01/03 Version 1.330 04/02/03 Version 1.331 04/03/04 Version 1.332 04/04/03 Version 1.333 04/06/03 Version 1.334 04/07/03 Version 1.335 04/08/03 Version 1.336 04/10/03 Version 1.337 04/11/03 - 04/13/03 Version 1.338 04/14/03 - 04/16/03 Version 1.339 04/26/03-05/06/03 Version 1.340 05/12/03-05/14/03 Version 1.341 05/19/03-05/22/03 Version 1.342 05/27/03 Version 1.343 06/03/03 Version 1.344 06/06/03 Version 1.345 06/11/03 Version 1.346 06/13/03 Version 1.347 06/25/03 Version 1.348 07/08/03 Version 1.349 07/10/03 VERSION 1.350 07/29/03 Version 1.351 08/07/03 Version 1.352 08/11/03 Version 1.353 08/12/03 Version 1.354 08/15/03 Version 1.355 08/19/03 Version 1.356 08/21/03 Version 1.357 08/22/03 Version 1.358 08/25/03 Version 1.359 09/12/03 Version 1.360 09/16/03 Version 1.361 09/25/03 Version 1.362 10/06/03 Version 1.363 10/22/03 Version 1.364 10/23/03 Version 1.365 11/14/03 Version 1.366 12/19/03 Version 1.367 Well, it certainly looks like more than one per month, doesn't it old fellow? Interestingly, the manufacturer lists the above list under "Firmware Revision History". All that many updates? Tells me they didn't know what they were doing to begin with, or just shoved software and hardware out the door before they had finished testing the firmware and software. I would think that Orion could have stabilized the programming by now. No new band changes have happened in eight months... :-) Really? I seem to recall adding 60m capability to the Orion. Weren't you paying attention? Were you under the impression that "band changes" were the only things which could be modified in the Orion? Apparently it can also TRANSPORT material things as they did on Star Trek. Perhaps they should have beamed up some smarts to release the RIGHT code the first time... Gosh, Orion must "not be interested in radio" if they can't get their software routines stabilized by now... "Orion" isn't? It would seem that the Ten-Tec folks would show their lack of interest by not issuing any updates at all. You may resume your nap, Leonard. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Oh, my, you drone on busy prussian bee. It's like listening to a lecture on 1800s science...all done by amateurs. Nothing new, same old "landfill" remarks from the prussian. LHA / WMD |
#5
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Len Over 21 wrote: In article , Dave Heil writes: Len Over 21 wrote: In article , Dave Heil writes: I believe that's the beauty of the Orion, it's never "ancient." The latest upgrade is just a download away. I feel for the poor slob who finally breaks down and buys a '7800 just before the '7800 Pro or Pro II comes out. TT just keeps making it better and better. The rig is now about eight months old and I've downloaded about ten firmware releases in that time. "FIRMWARE releases?!?" Yes, firmware releases. Gosh, you must be equipped with a Star Trek Transporter! :-) No, just a PC with an internet connection. Oh, you mean SOFTWARE updates, right? No, I don't. I mean firmware updates. Get it straight, Herr Robust. "Firmware" is hardware. Actually, kindly old gent, you don't have it quite right. You may go to http://whatis.techtarget.com/definit...212127,00.html to educate yourself. Afterward, you may like to take a look at the site where such firmware upgrades are available for the Orion: http://www.rfsquared.com/ Please note the first two words in blue at the top center of the page. There is NO computer system anywhere in the world that will "download firmware." It appears that you are quite mistaken. Let's see, that's more than one per month. - Version 1.325 - initial release 03/26/03 Version 1.326 03/27/03 Version 1.327 03/28/03 Version 1.328 03/31/03 Version 1.329 04/01/03 Version 1.330 04/02/03 Version 1.331 04/03/04 Version 1.332 04/04/03 Version 1.333 04/06/03 Version 1.334 04/07/03 Version 1.335 04/08/03 Version 1.336 04/10/03 Version 1.337 04/11/03 - 04/13/03 Version 1.338 04/14/03 - 04/16/03 Version 1.339 04/26/03-05/06/03 Version 1.340 05/12/03-05/14/03 Version 1.341 05/19/03-05/22/03 Version 1.342 05/27/03 Version 1.343 06/03/03 Version 1.344 06/06/03 Version 1.345 06/11/03 Version 1.346 06/13/03 Version 1.347 06/25/03 Version 1.348 07/08/03 Version 1.349 07/10/03 VERSION 1.350 07/29/03 Version 1.351 08/07/03 Version 1.352 08/11/03 Version 1.353 08/12/03 Version 1.354 08/15/03 Version 1.355 08/19/03 Version 1.356 08/21/03 Version 1.357 08/22/03 Version 1.358 08/25/03 Version 1.359 09/12/03 Version 1.360 09/16/03 Version 1.361 09/25/03 Version 1.362 10/06/03 Version 1.363 10/22/03 Version 1.364 10/23/03 Version 1.365 11/14/03 Version 1.366 12/19/03 Version 1.367 Well, it certainly looks like more than one per month, doesn't it old fellow? Interestingly, the manufacturer lists the above list under "Firmware Revision History". All that many updates? Why would I have reason to manufacture a phony list? Tells me they didn't know what they were doing to begin with, or just shoved software and hardware out the door before they had finished testing the firmware and software. No, that's simply what you've guessed and you'd again be incorrect. I would think that Orion could have stabilized the programming by now. No new band changes have happened in eight months... :-) Really? I seem to recall adding 60m capability to the Orion. Weren't you paying attention? Were you under the impression that "band changes" were the only things which could be modified in the Orion? Apparently it can also TRANSPORT material things as they did on Star Trek. Perhaps they should have beamed up some smarts to release the RIGHT code the first time... I'm sure that you'd have done so and that you'd have designed a transceiver which performed much, much better. Your abilities are legend. Oh, my, you drone on busy prussian bee. It's like listening to a lecture on 1800s science...all done by amateurs. Nothing new, same old "landfill" remarks from the prussian. There's plenty new, Leonard. You may start your education after you learn about firmware. Dave K8MN |
#6
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Dave Heil wrote:
There's plenty new, Leonard. You may start your education after you learn about firmware. I just downloaded new firmware for my cable modem, over my cable modem. Guess I'll have to use UPS next time. 8^) - Mike KB3EIA - |
#7
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Mike Coslo wrote:
Dave Heil wrote: There's plenty new, Leonard. You may start your education after you learn about firmware. I just downloaded new firmware for my cable modem, over my cable modem. Guess I'll have to use UPS next time. 8^) Careful, Mike. Leonard is an electrical engineer and a proud electronics professional. Dave K8MN |
#8
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In article , Mike Coslo
writes: I just downloaded new firmware for my cable modem, over my cable modem. Something electro-existentialist about that, Mike. Reminds me of a Lily Tomlin joke where she describes going to the store and buying a wastepaper basket. At the checkout counter the cashier put the wastepaper basket in a paper bag. Once she got it home, Lily took the wastepaper basket out of the paper bag, folded up the paper bag, and put the paper bag into the wastepaper basket. 73 de Jim, N2EY |
#9
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In article , Mike Coslo
writes: Dave Heil wrote: There's plenty new, Leonard. You may start your education after you learn about firmware. I just downloaded new firmware for my cable modem, over my cable modem. Guess I'll have to use UPS next time. 8^) Mike, "firmware" is programming instructions that are quite permanent, almost never alterable by a user. An example of "firmware" is a mask-programmed ROM. Not the erasable type such as in a 2716 EPROM. With the advent of FLASH memory the extra cost of masking for a mask-programmed ROM has fallen out of favor over the last decade. Once made, a mask-programmed ROM cannot be altered. Another example of "firmware" is the PLD or Programmable Logic Devices. Those are literally "blown" using on-chip "fuses" (links) which are vaporized by the programmer. Once done, the PLD can not be altered, thus it is not "upgradeable." There are EPROMs available which have NO UV-erase window. That cuts the cost of the package by a cent or two. Those are production-erased before programming, then programmed to the customer's request data by a multiple-unit programmer. Definitely FIRM ware since a user would have to open the IC package to erase the ROM and reprogram it. All microprocessors have "firmware" in them in the form of the Instruction Set decode-and-execute part of the chip. Those form the entire instruction set of the microprocessor and cannot be changed...hence the label of "firm." A rare form of "firmware" is the hard-wired logic arrangment of ICs, particularly with "state machines." That can only be "upgraded" with actual physical wire changes on the board. The 1979 Apple ][ Disk Controller card was mostly a state machine designed by Steve Wozniak himself. In early minicomputers the instruction set decoder was a combination of state machine and hard-wired logic chips; that evolved into ROM and then became part of the micro- processor chip structure. "Software" is instructions which can be altered by a user. Every program for a PC or MAC is a "software." The instructions or program are stored locally on a disk ("hard" or "floppy") and may be accessed at any time by the PC's disk operating system. Early software was loaded by paper tape, then magnetic tape, then by floppy, then by hard disk, finally by CD-ROM. A CD-ROM is not labelled either "firm" or "soft" since it contains software which is not easily altered by the user...but parts of each one can be rewritten if the content does not fill the CD. Software on so-called "protected" media can be defeated but that takes a modification of the CD writer program and probably some physical changes in the CD drive itself. The electronics industry has pretty well defined what is "firmware" and what is "software" over the last three decades. Lately (in the last half-dozen years) the appearance of the useable/programmable microcontroller such as Microchip's "PIC" series has allowed a re-programming of the stored program in the PIC's FLASH memory. This is because Microchip's design (and other microcontrollers) usually allow an extra package pin and internal registers/instruction- set for such reprogramming. That isn't always the case with mass- purchase special microcontrollers which may have the reprogramming feature inaccessible to the user. Examples of that are various low- cost appliances such as lawn sprinkler controllers or automatic coffee makers. On those, the only thing alterable is some settings of operation such as time. Settings sometimes go into FLASH memory but the user cannot necessarily alter the main instruction program set into the microcontroller. Industry is going away from the absolute labels of "firmware" with the new IC technologies. A microcontroller's program is simply called "a program" if it can be loaded over the existing program or otherwise changed by the user. Program content is still called "software" because that has become normal in the wider group of computer and consumer electronics users. Such software comes on CD-ROM, floppy disks, but sometimes (for hobbyists) as "source code" for a microcontroller's development program which can also load the program into the micro. "Source code" is the human-readable instructions of the program and the development program translates that into microcontroller machine code for programming. Anything that is "firm" in ware is not readily alterable by the user. Anything that is "soft" in ware is readily alterable by the user. If a program or data is downloadable over a modem, it does so in software form. You can call anything you want by whatever name you want but it won't necessarily be understood by a distributor or parts seller. There's several millions of folks involved in the worldwide electronics industry (which includes radio) so, if you want some "firmware" that can be downloaded over a modem, you'd best be VERY specific in describing it. You can call a spade a hoe, but be prepared to talk to the NAACP. LHA / WMD |
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