On Oct 26, 2023, at 10:03 PM, Gerald Sherman <ve4gks@...> wrote:

?

Just my $.02 worth:

I have been a ham for over half a century, so my days go back to war surplus TVI generators & tubes.? For about half of this (roughly the middle half) I was inactive, so there is a large gap in my span of current technology.? I wouldn't want to try and design a solid state RF power amplifier or a switch-mode power supply.? My computer skills aren't the best with regard to the software and languages we use.? Most of my programming has been done with the RS274 G-code language used in machine tool control (I made my living with it for about 15 years), although I "have used" other languages.? "Have used" does not mean "am an expert with".? Given that my physical abilities are catching up with my age, I don't do very much building any more.? I do have a fairly decent knowledge of electronics and a couple of engineering certificates in medical instrumentation (nuclear and ultrasonic), although I would not want to (nor would I be able to) clip on a film badge and put on the lead apron today.? I pretty well stick to operating.

There are those of us who cannot afford a lab full of test equipment, would not have any where to put it if they could, and perhaps not know how to use it if they got their hands on it.? All three of these apply to me.

Carl, I think that N2VIP has made some good suggestions about getting help from your local club.

Gerry Sherman

Sent by the Windows 11 Thunderbird

On 2023-10-26 18:29, Ken N2VIP wrote:

On Oct 26, 2023, at 08:48, David Lacey via groups.io <g4jbe@...> wrote:

To Carl Schlueter..... I have to ask if you are really a licensed Ham ? The reason for asking is simple... most of the
Hams I know have at least a basic knowledge of electronics, this being the basis of the hobby.
It would appear that you have little or none!

Even in your critique of Carl you indicate that "most of the hams (you) know have a basic knowledge of electronics" - I simply point out that "most" is a group with fewer members than "every".

There is radio knowledge, electronics knowledge, and small computer knowledge in play here - it was clear to me that Carl's issues were with the "small computer knowledge", not radio or electronics. There are a large number of radio amateurs that struggle with personal computers, to the point some refuse to even have a computer in their shack - it is not a requisite skill for a modern radio amateur, but it is a common one.

I'm not a fan of complaining so publicly about a vendors support, esp when you still want/expect/need support from the vendor, but this is how Carl chose to address his issues, so be it.

Until I get an idea of the time span of this issue (how long has he gone without a response from HF Signals? A couple days, a couple weeks or a couple months?) I don't really have an opinion on these issues, except to say...

Carl, I know I'm a bit put off of the idea of trying to help you, and I suspect others are just as reluctant to help you - were a list member to, for example, write the software to a microSD card and send it to you, the concern is if it didn't work out, the list member would be added to your (very public) list of grievances, and who needs that?

I really think the best approach for you is to look towards your local radio clubs, see if you can find someone that is either strong with Raspberry Pis or, ideally, maybe someone that is actually familiar with their very radio you are struggling with.

As for HF Signals, I would hope they'd take a moment and review their web documents, with an eye towards perhaps being clearer about the skills and technologies a buyer should be familiar with in order to ensure a happy experience with the product. They may feel the current warnings/information is adequate, or they may decide to make some changes - I leave that to their discretion, it's not my place to tell them what they should or should not do in marketing their products.

And a brief reminder - as clearly stated at the beginning of the HF Signals adventure, we hams are not (in my personal opinion) the primary focus for HF Signals, we are merely the beneficiaries of the product assembled by those industrious women in India that assemble and test these boards to provide for themselves and their families. That we find their products useful means that we will continue to buy them, continuing the work these women need. I've been very happy with all my HF Signals purchases, but I've never felt it appropriate to expect "big three" levels of quality or support from HF Signals.

Just my thoughts, I mean them to be constructive, if I've offended anyone, it honestly wasn't my intention.

Ken, N2VIP