[TenTec] Re: Continuing Orion evaluation/Dragonball

[Michael A. Newell, WB4HUC]

> The problem is the usual one,
> you "fix" one line of code and everything from that point to the end of
the
> program has to be tweaked to make it work. And then everything has to be
> re-tweaked and tweaked again, and by the time you get the program working
to
> everyone's satisfaction someone has found something else not to their
liking.  So the
> process starts all over again.
>
> 73  Pete Allen  AC5E

The firmware needs to be thoroughly tested before it leaves the factory.
It only needs to be tweaked when it fails a test. It's the testing of the
firmware that Ten Tec needs to improve.

I believe it would be possible to develop a methodology for the Orion
where you could test all possible or likely combinations of buttons, knobs,
and menu items, but considering how many ways all those controls
interact, it'd probably take a couple of hours to conduct such a test.

After each firmware change not only would new or changed features need
to be tested, but all existing functions would have to be tested to be sure
none were broken when the firmware was changed. If they were, then they'd
have to be fixed, and the testing would start all over.

It's possible for this to be done at the factory, but it'll probably never
happen.
I think Ten Tec will continue to let the customers do the factory testing
for them.

--
Mike - WB4HUC
Austin, TX