Years ago I redesigned a controller for a radar jammer. This flew in pods on fighters and had
a bad reputation for reliability, particularly the older ones. I looked at the design and could see
why, there were about 25 mechanical switches selecting RF modulation modes. Further, the raw
switches were being used, without debouncing, in the circuitry itself. I asked why it had been done
that way (for at least 10 years) and was told that they liked to be able to switch in certain test
modes out on the flight line, just prior to launch. So I asked how many of these different "test"
configurations they had, and could they be characterized. So, they gave me a list of 4.
I redesigned the controller so that it had an EEPROM with a look up table, and a plug for a 3 position
DIP switch (external to the pod, in a test box), that allowed them up to 7 test modes, and when they
removed the test box, that was the flight mode for the current mission. I also wrote them a program
where they could use their PC to easily set up modes and reprogram the EEPROM.
Although my design was sterling, functioned perfectly, and used all mil-spec components up to the vibration
and thermal environment, it was rejected by their senior technician, who immediately installed the old
controller.. So, nothing was changed, and the problems persisted.
A couple of years later I was visiting the area again, and found them running my configuration program
and programming EEPROMs for a mission. The senior technician had retired, and they had quietly reinstalled
my controller and been using it for almost a year.
Long ago I adopted the handle "Evil Engineer" after a manager had said they had to keep engineers simply
because they were the lesser of evils.. I think the senior tech agreed; he didn't like the idea of some
some whipper snapper (I was 35 at the time) coming in and fixing something in his bailiwick. And HE had
designed the mess of switches. Further, the guy had flunked out of engineering at differential equations,
and simply resented ALL engineers from there on. So, my problem had been one of poor handling of a
fellow human's ego.
At the time, I was pretty cocky and full of myself. Now I'm older and would have handled it differently,
sat down, and got him involved in the design, and made him feel I was working for him, designing to his
specs, while quietly doing things the right way to get the job done properly.
There are definitely educated idiots, but there are uneducated idiots as well.
I'm guilty of having similar (perhaps unjustified) pre-attitudes toward management as well. And I can tell
many stories about management who couldn't find its butt with both hands and a GPS fix. But I've also
had at least three managers in my own career who have been inspirational, and I would do anything to
support them.
Face it, we all develop attitudes and inclinations about everything we encounter.
It's only human.
L.
"If the world should blow itself up, the last audible voice would be that of an expert
saying it can't be done." -Peter Ustinov
Topic: Don't be afraid (Read 3694 times)
