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KXBC3 clock drift

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Erik Tkal

KXBC3 clock drift

I’ve had my KX3 for a few months, got it with the KXBC3 charger and clock. However, the clock seems to lose a couple of minutes per month. Considering the cost of the option I would expect it to be a little more reliable... :-P

Has anyone else seen this? Is there an adjustment for drift?

Thanks and 73,
Erik Tkal - W1QED

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ve3ibw

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

I have noticed the same thing. I was portable and wanted to use the KX3
clock to set my Raspberry Pi's clock I was using for JT65. I was shocked
at how far afield the KX3 time was. I fortunately had downloaded a GPS app
to my smartphone that gave me the GPS system time and this was enough to
get me to within a second of the time that most other JT65 users were using
(as sync'ed from time services from the internet).

I too would like to have Elecraft look into the clock drift.

regards,
Brian
VE3IBW

On Sun, Aug 28, 2016 at 9:40 AM, E T <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I’ve had my KX3 for a few months, got it with the KXBC3 charger and
> clock. However, the clock seems to lose a couple of minutes per month.
> Considering the cost of the option I would expect it to be a little more
> reliable... :-P
>
> Has anyone else seen this? Is there an adjustment for drift?
>
> Thanks and 73,
> Erik Tkal - W1QED
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Regards,
Brian
VE3IBW

kevino z

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

Wish the KX3 had an actual GPS add on board. It could grab the time, as well as use the PPS for other things.
-Kevin (KK4YEL)

No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced !

> On Aug 28, 2016, at 09:48, Brian Waterworth <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I have noticed the same thing. I was portable and wanted to use the KX3
> clock to set my Raspberry Pi's clock I was using for JT65. I was shocked
> at how far afield the KX3 time was. I fortunately had downloaded a GPS app
> to my smartphone that gave me the GPS system time and this was enough to
> get me to within a second of the time that most other JT65 users were using
> (as sync'ed from time services from the internet).
>
> I too would like to have Elecraft look into the clock drift.
>
> regards,
> Brian
> VE3IBW
>
>> On Sun, Aug 28, 2016 at 9:40 AM, E T <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I’ve had my KX3 for a few months, got it with the KXBC3 charger and
>> clock. However, the clock seems to lose a couple of minutes per month.
>> Considering the cost of the option I would expect it to be a little more
>> reliable... :-P
>>
>> Has anyone else seen this? Is there an adjustment for drift?
>>
>> Thanks and 73,
>> Erik Tkal - W1QED
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
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Clay Autery

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

Mmmm... not JUST the KX3! <drooling at the thought of an ONBOARD GPSDO
w/PPS INSIDE the K3s>

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
(318) 518-1389

On 8/28/2016 8:52 AM, kevino z wrote:

> Wish the KX3 had an actual GPS add on board. It could grab the time, as well as use the PPS for other things.
> -Kevin (KK4YEL)
>
> No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced !
>
>> On Aug 28, 2016, at 09:48, Brian Waterworth <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I have noticed the same thing. I was portable and wanted to use the KX3
>> clock to set my Raspberry Pi's clock I was using for JT65. I was shocked
>> at how far afield the KX3 time was. I fortunately had downloaded a GPS app
>> to my smartphone that gave me the GPS system time and this was enough to
>> get me to within a second of the time that most other JT65 users were using
>> (as sync'ed from time services from the internet).
>>
>> I too would like to have Elecraft look into the clock drift.
>>
>> regards,
>> Brian
>> VE3IBW
>>
>>> On Sun, Aug 28, 2016 at 9:40 AM, E T <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> I’ve had my KX3 for a few months, got it with the KXBC3 charger and
>>> clock. However, the clock seems to lose a couple of minutes per month.
>>> Considering the cost of the option I would expect it to be a little more
>>> reliable... :-P
>>>
>>> Has anyone else seen this? Is there an adjustment for drift?
>>>
>>> Thanks and 73,
>>> Erik Tkal - W1QED
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
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>>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
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Don Wilhelm

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

I would like an icebox in my KX3 to keep my sandwiches cool while portable.
Oh, and how about an automatic coffee maker for use during contest
periods. :-)

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/28/2016 10:01 AM, Clay Autery wrote:
> Mmmm... not JUST the KX3! <drooling at the thought of an ONBOARD GPSDO
> w/PPS INSIDE the K3s>
>
>

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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

Maybe just buy a $15 wristwatch with a 10 year
battery made by Casio and set it every week or so
? :-)

Phil W7OX

On 8/28/16 7:19 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> I would like an icebox in my KX3 to keep my
> sandwiches cool while portable.
> Oh, and how about an automatic coffee maker for
> use during contest periods. :-)
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 8/28/2016 10:01 AM, Clay Autery wrote:
>> Mmmm... not JUST the KX3! <drooling at the
>> thought of an ONBOARD GPSDO
>> w/PPS INSIDE the K3s>
>>
>>
>

Ken G Kopp

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

Virtually everyone has cellphone at hand and it will provide the most
accurate time commonly available.

73!

K0PP
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Mike Morrow-3

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

In reply to this post by Erik Tkal

> I would like an icebox in my KX3 to keep my sandwiches cool while portable.
> Oh, and how about an automatic coffee maker for use during contest
> periods. :-)

I would be suprised that even as a joke the listing above could win any arguments for the extraordinary lack of performance of Elecraft RTCs. A $5 watch does better by orders of magnitude...even the Dallas Semiconductor RTC in 30-year-old Kantronics hardware does better. The manufacturer specs for all the Elecraft RTC chips promise much better. Unlike the items in the quoted listing, a customer does indeed have every right to expect a competent RTC implementation when he purchases the option. No???

Elecraft fans often have a great tendency to dismiss without substantive basis any non-worshipful criticism...at least as far as I've observed in 16 years as an owner and list member. :-)

Mike / KK5F
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Wes Stewart-2

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

QSL

On 8/28/2016 7:55 AM, Mike Morrow wrote:
> Elecraft fans often have a great tendency to dismiss without substantive basis
> any non-worshipful criticism...at least as far as I've observed in 16 years as
> an owner and list member. :-)
> Mike / KK5F
> ______________________________________________________________
>

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Raymond Sills

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

OTOH, many criticisms have resulted in improvements in the products. Wayne and Eric are quite capable of tolerating criticism, so owners are more than welcome to point out any deficiency or problem. That’s why people like Elecraft products: having the ear of the company.

73 de Ray
K2ULR
KX3 #211

> On Aug 28, 2016, at 11:06 AM, Wes Stewart <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> QSL
>
> On 8/28/2016 7:55 AM, Mike Morrow wrote:
>> Elecraft fans often have a great tendency to dismiss without substantive basis any non-worshipful criticism...at least as far as I've observed in 16 years as an owner and list member. :-)
>> Mike / KK5F
>> ______________________________________________________________
>>
>

Phil Wheeler-2

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

In reply to this post by Mike Morrow-3

I think you overreact a bit, Mike. I can criticize
Elecraft with the best of them if a product does
not do as promised. But nowhere in any spec or
promise have I seen highly accurate time-keeping
-- but perhaps my reading skills fail me with age.

In my shack I have a large LaCrosse clock, updated
nightly by WWVH or some such: $35 or so on line.
On my wrist I often wear a Casio wristwatch with
similar capabilities (NOT in that price range).

I prefer Elecraft to focus on what they do best,
not capabilities I can obtain elsewhere at very
reasonable cost.

73, Phil W7OX

On 8/28/16 7:55 AM, Mike Morrow wrote:
> Elecraft fans often have a great tendency to dismiss without substantive basis any non-worshipful criticism...at least as far as I've observed in 16 years as an owner and list member. :-)
>
> Mike / KK5F

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Elecraft mailing list

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

In reply to this post by Erik Tkal

Re: "...the clock seems to lose a couple of minutes per month."

I didn't buy the KXBC3 for the clock, and I don't expect it to automatically sync with WWV or GPS, but mine seems to be sensitive to applied voltage:

If I leave 14v applied to my KX3, it gains a few seconds per day, probably not far off what yours loses, Erik. If l remove the 14v supply and store the KX3 in my day pack for a week or more, it will be an hour or more off next time I check it. I can't remember if it gains or loses though. I need to quantify that a bit better.

It works, but certainly isn't up to the level of performance we usually see from Elecraft.

Mark
KE6BB
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Grant Youngman-2

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

>
> Re: "...the clock seems to lose a couple of minutes per month.”
>

You know a radio must be pretty good when the complaints start drifting off to how accurate (or not) it is as a timepiece ;-)

Grant NQ5T

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Clay Autery

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm

So you think an onboard GPS is absurd, Don?

We can dream... we can dream. :-)

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
(318) 518-1389

On 8/28/2016 9:19 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> I would like an icebox in my KX3 to keep my sandwiches cool while
> portable.
> Oh, and how about an automatic coffee maker for use during contest
> periods. :-)
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 8/28/2016 10:01 AM, Clay Autery wrote:
>> Mmmm... not JUST the KX3! <drooling at the thought of an ONBOARD GPSDO
>> w/PPS INSIDE the K3s>
>>
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Clay Autery

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

In reply to this post by Ken G Kopp

OK Ken... How do you propose to get that "uber-accurate" time from the
cell phone into the radio?

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
(318) 518-1389

On 8/28/2016 9:34 AM, Ken G Kopp wrote:

> Virtually everyone has cellphone at hand and it will provide the most
> accurate time commonly available.
>
> 73!
>
> K0PP
> ______________________________________________________________
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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: KXBC3 clock drift & On-Board GPS

In reply to this post by Clay Autery

As a matter of curiosity because I've not looked
into it: Are there any ham transceivers with
on-board GPS receivers?

Phil W7OX

On 8/28/16 9:58 AM, Clay Autery wrote:

> So you think an onboard GPS is absurd, Don?
>
> We can dream... we can dream. :-)
>
> ______________________
> Clay Autery, KY5G
> MONTAC Enterprises
> (318) 518-1389
>
> On 8/28/2016 9:19 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> I would like an icebox in my KX3 to keep my sandwiches cool while
>> portable.
>> Oh, and how about an automatic coffee maker for use during contest
>> periods. :-)
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 8/28/2016 10:01 AM, Clay Autery wrote:
>>> Mmmm... not JUST the KX3! <drooling at the thought of an ONBOARD GPSDO
>>> w/PPS INSIDE the K3s>

Peter Pauly

Re: KXBC3 clock drift & On-Board GPS

Flexradio offers a GPSDO option for their receivers. It's made by Jackson
Labs (and it isn't cheap):

http://cart.flexradio.com/FLEX-65006700-GPSDO-Upgrade_p_899.html

It's internal to the radio.

On Sun, Aug 28, 2016 at 1:06 PM, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]> wrote:

> As a matter of curiosity because I've not looked into it: Are there any
> ham transceivers with on-board GPS receivers?
>
> Phil W7OX
>
> On 8/28/16 9:58 AM, Clay Autery wrote:
>
>> So you think an onboard GPS is absurd, Don?
>>
>> We can dream... we can dream. :-)
>>
>> ______________________
>> Clay Autery, KY5G
>> MONTAC Enterprises
>> (318) 518-1389
>>
>> On 8/28/2016 9:19 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>>
>>> I would like an icebox in my KX3 to keep my sandwiches cool while
>>> portable.
>>> Oh, and how about an automatic coffee maker for use during contest
>>> periods. :-)
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Don W3FPR
>>>
>>> On 8/28/2016 10:01 AM, Clay Autery wrote:
>>>
>>>> Mmmm... not JUST the KX3! <drooling at the thought of an ONBOARD GPSDO
>>>> w/PPS INSIDE the K3s>
>>>>
>>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Phil Hystad-3

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

Ditto!

Well, actually, I did once have an accurate (for its day) clock on my receiver, my HQ-170AC, back in or about 1964 to 1967. Being run by a synchronous motor, the local power company had the job of keeping my clock accurate (feature of AGC controlling ACE and Frequency).

But, today, in my opinion of course, a clock on a radio is a feature that I would exchange for a half dozen or more other features better suited to using the radio itself. Yes, there is a clock feature on my K3 and it is very thoroughly ignored by me.

73, phil, K7PEH

> On Aug 28, 2016, at 8:21 AM, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I think you overreact a bit, Mike. I can criticize Elecraft with the best of them if a product does not do as promised. But nowhere in any spec or promise have I seen highly accurate time-keeping -- but perhaps my reading skills fail me with age.
>
> In my shack I have a large LaCrosse clock, updated nightly by WWVH or some such: $35 or so on line. On my wrist I often wear a Casio wristwatch with similar capabilities (NOT in that price range).
>
> I prefer Elecraft to focus on what they do best, not capabilities I can obtain elsewhere at very reasonable cost.
>
> 73, Phil W7OX
>
> On 8/28/16 7:55 AM, Mike Morrow wrote:
>> Elecraft fans often have a great tendency to dismiss without substantive basis any non-worshipful criticism...at least as far as I've observed in 16 years as an owner and list member. :-)
>>
>> Mike / KK5F
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Edward A. Dauer

KXBC3 Clock Drift

In reply to this post by Erik Tkal

Doesn’t the K3 Utility have a one-click process for setting the K3’s on-board clock time to UTC Internet time? It doesn’t make the clock any more accurate, but it does offer a way of resetting without getting into the configuration menu. As I recall it’s in the KX3 Utility as well.

Ted, KN1CBR

------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2016 08:34:22 -0600
From: Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KXBC3 clock drift
Message-ID:
<[hidden email]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Virtually everyone has cellphone at hand and it will provide the most
accurate time commonly available.

73!

K0PP

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Rose

Re: KXBC3 clock drift

In reply to this post by Clay Autery

No need ... my eyes can view a cellphone as easily as on a radio's display
... maybe easier / quicker if I have to call it up into the display.
(Mine has about a half inch high display.)

That's assuming that the name of the game is simply knowing what time it
is, as opposed to "playing" with a radio's features......

73

K0PP

On Aug 28, 2016 11:03, "Clay Autery" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> OK Ken... How do you propose to get that "uber-accurate" time from the
> cell phone into the radio?
>
> ______________________
> Clay Autery, KY5G
> MONTAC Enterprises
> (318) 518-1389
>
> On 8/28/2016 9:34 AM, Ken G Kopp wrote:
> > Virtually everyone has cellphone at hand and it will provide the most
> > accurate time commonly available.
> >
> > 73!
> >
> > K0PP
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>

123