PLAN B analog blog

I want to take responsibility for something I recently mishandled.  A
gentleman sent me two Model 15's for repair, one with a problem which
was easy to fix, one which was oscillating well beyond it's normal
range (52K), which I didn't catch in final test.  This was my first
mistake.  I test all units functionally on my system before they go
out.  In part of the VCO test, I sweep the frequency to verify it goes
from sub to super audio.  What I didn't do until I found this problem
is read those limits on a frequency counter at final test.  Our normal
operating range is 5 to 20K cycles, which in real terms usually ranges
anywhere from to 20 to 22K on the high end.  Regardless, both of these
are well beyond the audio range.  I didn't realize how much however. 
Because of this unit I received back, I've now installed my frequency
counter to my system and do verify the limits are within spec.

This was an error, but not the problem.  We're all human and
unintentional mistakes happen. The problem I want to take
responsibility for is mistakenly telling this gentleman his units had
shipped back to him when in fact they hadn't.  I got two repair return
orders confused. I should have been more careful with this before i
let out false information.  I decided to replace the unit which was
oscillating to 52K as I was a bit weary that it was healthy even after
finding that specific problem. Initially having to wait  for new PCBs
to arrive to fill this, his VCO feel through the cracks the week of
the Analoglive show.  I got the boards in, but dropped the ball.  In
short, I forgot.

I've had my share of bad comments on the internet.  I dare say that
for whatever reason there was a time when on certain lists it was 
fashionable to do so. Matrixsynth and Analog Heaven come to mind.  In
many cases I've been no more guilty than many of my competitors about
announcing products before they are available, not filling custom
orders on time, doing rework that some feel is unacceptable, not doing
a lot of things I should have in the time I should have done them. It
seems to me however these instances get broadcast on the internet more
than some of the other manufacturers who are as equally deluged with
their workload, and equally accountable for the same types of issues,.
 Along with this, there also has been a lot of false information
thrown out about my operation, my products, my business ethics, even
some which touch upon much more personal issues. So be it. That's the
way it is and each of you are all free to form any opinion you wish
about me or my products.  The only thing I can do is keep on doing the
best that I can, which I have.  Whether or not that's sufficient is
another story. 

In this instance with the two VCOs however, I bungled something I
shouldn't have and I take full responsibility for this and any
comments people wish to make. They are justified. I don't feel it's
appropriate to name this individual publicly, he's more than welcome
to do so if he feels it's just to do so.