Elecraft

Time Syncronization

Classic

List

Threaded

19 messages Options

Elecraft mailing list

Time Syncronization

After 15 years away from radio, I'm back, and want to enter the digital modes. (How things have changed!) There is much opinion that a computer's onboard time system (Win 10 for me) is inadequate for digital, e.g., the WSJT-X user manual. So...
1. Is this a correct assumption in all/most cases?
2. Assuming you do feel it's necessary, which synchronization program would you suggest? Considerations: ease of installation, ease of operation (fully behind the scenes transparent?), least "invasive", etc.
Thanks.Bob, KA2TQVKX3 #9842
______________________________________________________________
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]

Tommy

Re: Time Syncronization

Bob,

I use Dimension 4.

73!

Tom - KB2SMS

On 09/13/2017 07:26 AM, Krug261--- via Elecraft wrote:
> After 15 years away from radio, I'm back, and want to enter the digital modes. (How things have changed!) There is much opinion that a computer's onboard time system (Win 10 for me) is inadequate for digital, e.g., the WSJT-X user manual. So...
> 1. Is this a correct assumption in all/most cases?
> 2. Assuming you do feel it's necessary, which synchronization program would you suggest? Considerations: ease of installation, ease of operation (fully behind the scenes transparent?), least "invasive", etc.
> Thanks.Bob, KA2TQVKX3 #9842
>

______________________________________________________________
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]

Joe DeVincentis

Re: Time Syncronization

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

I use a GPS and NMEATime2 from VisualGPS (http://www.visualgps.net). Works great and I’m not relying on any Internet for time synchronization.

One word of caution, be sure to turn off serial enumeration for the GPS COM port (if it uses one). Otherwise, Windows will think your GPS is a mouse due to some of the strings the GPS transmits. This ancient code Microsoft has in Windows to support plug and play of serial mice (who uses serial mice anymore? - I’m not sure you can even buy one these days). I believe the setting should be off by default, but not in Microsoft’s infinite wisdom. The serial port enumeration setting is found in the advanced settings for the COM port.

Joe, KO8V

> On Sep 13, 2017, at 6:26 AM, Krug261--- via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> After 15 years away from radio, I'm back, and want to enter the digital modes. (How things have changed!) There is much opinion that a computer's onboard time system (Win 10 for me) is inadequate for digital, e.g., the WSJT-X user manual. So...
> 1. Is this a correct assumption in all/most cases?
> 2. Assuming you do feel it's necessary, which synchronization program would you suggest? Considerations: ease of installation, ease of operation (fully behind the scenes transparent?), least "invasive", etc.
> Thanks.Bob, KA2TQVKX3 #9842
> ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
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]

rich hurd WC3T

Re: Time Syncronization

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

I second the Dimension 4 nomination. Just works. No fiddle involved.

On Wed, Sep 13, 2017 at 07:26 Krug261--- via Elecraft <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> After 15 years away from radio, I'm back, and want to enter the digital
> modes. (How things have changed!) There is much opinion that a computer's
> onboard time system (Win 10 for me) is inadequate for digital, e.g., the
> WSJT-X user manual. So...
> 1. Is this a correct assumption in all/most cases?
> 2. Assuming you do feel it's necessary, which synchronization program
> would you suggest? Considerations: ease of installation, ease of operation
> (fully behind the scenes transparent?), least "invasive", etc.
> Thanks.Bob, KA2TQVKX3 #9842
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

--
---
72,
Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer
for Scouting
Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
*FN20is*
______________________________________________________________
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]

ng7m

Re: Time Syncronization

I use the free Meinberg NTP build on Windows 10.

https://www.meinbergglobal.com/english/sw/ntp.htm

It disables the windows time service and runs as a service, plus there is a
cool monitor you can download too. This full ntp implementation will
discipline your clock and allow you to select your ntp servers. By far
this NTP time sync service will keep your clock synchronized better than
anything else even if not connected to the internet. It will determine the
drift of your clock in PPM and continually tweak it via PLL logic to keep
it in check.

I also run a stratum 1 NTP server you can use if you like when you install
the Meinberg build of NTP: time.nc7j.com

Max NG7M

On Wed, Sep 13, 2017 at 6:48 AM, rich hurd WC3T <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I second the Dimension 4 nomination. Just works. No fiddle involved.
>
> On Wed, Sep 13, 2017 at 07:26 Krug261--- via Elecraft <
> [hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > After 15 years away from radio, I'm back, and want to enter the digital
> > modes. (How things have changed!) There is much opinion that a computer's
> > onboard time system (Win 10 for me) is inadequate for digital, e.g., the
> > WSJT-X user manual. So...
> > 1. Is this a correct assumption in all/most cases?
> > 2. Assuming you do feel it's necessary, which synchronization program
> > would you suggest? Considerations: ease of installation, ease of
> operation
> > (fully behind the scenes transparent?), least "invasive", etc.
> > Thanks.Bob, KA2TQVKX3 #9842
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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]
> >
> --
> ---
> 72,
> Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
> PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer
> for Scouting
> Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
> *FN20is*
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

--
M. George
______________________________________________________________
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]

Tony Estep

Re: Time Syncronization

In reply to this post by rich hurd WC3T

On Wed, Sep 13, 2017 at 7:48 AM, rich hurd WC3T <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I second the Dimension 4 nomination. Just works...
>
=======
Based on the recommendation by WC3T and others, I downloaded Dimension 4.
Installed in seconds, synced immediately, and as far as I can tell works FB.

73,
Tony KT0NY
______________________________________________________________
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]

Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Time Syncronization

In reply to this post by ng7m

Using WSJT-X, 1.8.0-rc2 version, I just watch the decoded signals on the
Band Activity window and the DT value being displayed. If they are less
than 1.0 second either + or - value, the computer time is satisfactory.
If the DT value is greater than +/-1.0 second, I use internet time to
update the computer. You may have to choose one of the three choices to
attain the best resolve for your location. Most of the time I find
signals are ~0.5 +/- seconds. Everything you need is in Windows for
time synchronization, thus otherwise, it is no big deal.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 9/13/2017 8:33 AM, M. George wrote:

> I use the free Meinberg NTP build on Windows 10.
>
> https://www.meinbergglobal.com/english/sw/ntp.htm
>
> It disables the windows time service and runs as a service, plus there is a
> cool monitor you can download too. This full ntp implementation will
> discipline your clock and allow you to select your ntp servers. By far
> this NTP time sync service will keep your clock synchronized better than
> anything else even if not connected to the internet. It will determine the
> drift of your clock in PPM and continually tweak it via PLL logic to keep
> it in check.
>
> I also run a stratum 1 NTP server you can use if you like when you install
> the Meinberg build of NTP: time.nc7j.com
>
> Max NG7M
>
> On Wed, Sep 13, 2017 at 6:48 AM, rich hurd WC3T <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> I second the Dimension 4 nomination. Just works. No fiddle involved.
>>
>> On Wed, Sep 13, 2017 at 07:26 Krug261--- via Elecraft <
>> [hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>> After 15 years away from radio, I'm back, and want to enter the digital
>>> modes. (How things have changed!) There is much opinion that a computer's
>>> onboard time system (Win 10 for me) is inadequate for digital, e.g., the
>>> WSJT-X user manual. So...
>>> 1. Is this a correct assumption in all/most cases?
>>> 2. Assuming you do feel it's necessary, which synchronization program
>>> would you suggest? Considerations: ease of installation, ease of
>> operation
>>> (fully behind the scenes transparent?), least "invasive", etc.
>>> Thanks.Bob, KA2TQVKX3 #9842
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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]
>>>
>> --
>> ---
>> 72,
>> Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
>> PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer
>> for Scouting
>> Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
>> *FN20is*
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>>
>
>

______________________________________________________________
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]

Jim Brown-10

Re: Time Syncronization

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

On 9/13/2017 4:26 AM, Krug261--- via Elecraft wrote:
> After 15 years away from radio, I'm back, and want to enter the digital modes. (How things have changed!) There is much opinion that a computer's onboard time system (Win 10 for me) is inadequate for digital, e.g., the WSJT-X user manual. So...

It's not "opinion," it's scientifically verifiable fact for WSJT modes
that send and receive packets of encoded data that start and end at
specific times. These modes include FT8, JT65, and JT9, as well as a few
similar modes.

> 1. Is this a correct assumption in all/most cases?

Yes, for the modes listed above. Time sync differences greater than
about 1 sec between two stations decreases the likelihood that the
signal will be successfully decoded. And because this is a DIFFERENCE,
one station might be 1 sec early and the other 1 sec late and they would
be pretty unlikely to decode each other.
> 2. Assuming you do feel it's necessary, which synchronization program would you suggest?

I use this free/shareware program. Runs in the background, no
conflicts. There are other good ones.

http://www.timesynctool.com/

The speed (frequency) of some computer clocks are more or less accurate
than others, so the intervals between time sync required to stay in sync
will vary from one computer to another.

73, Jim K9YC
______________________________________________________________
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]

Rick WA6NHC-2

Re: Time Syncronization

In reply to this post by Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Absolutely wrong. Windows for YEARS has mucked up the NTP so that it is
only required to be accurate to within several MINUTES. Do not rely on
the Win OS NTP client. It can at least be off by some seconds,
routinely; which is unacceptable to the JT modes.

Rick nhc

On 9/13/2017 8:54 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:
> Everything you need is in Windows for time synchronization, thus
> otherwise, it is no big deal.
>

______________________________________________________________
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]

Elecraft mailing list

Re: Time Syncronization

In reply to this post by ng7m

+1

73 from David GM4JJJ

> On 13 Sep 2017, at 14:33, M. George <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I use the free Meinberg NTP build on Windows 10.
>
> https://www.meinbergglobal.com/english/sw/ntp.htm
>
>

.
______________________________________________________________
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]

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-2

Re: Time Syncronization

For what it's worth, plus or minus 30 seconds isn't all that big a deal.

I would encourage everyone to avoid the "Stratum 1" servers (unless it's
a private "Stratum 1" server), and use pool.ntp.org. This is a bunch of
Stratum 2 servers that are accurate. The public Stratum 1 servers are
subject to overload.

73 -- Lynn
______________________________________________________________
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]

Elecraft mailing list

Re: Time Syncronization

Lynn,

For Modes like MSK144 FT8 JT65 you need to be much closer than that!

Better than plus or minus 1 second is required.

73 from David GM4JJJ

> On 13 Sep 2017, at 18:22, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT <KX3.1@ColdRocksHotBrooms..com> wrote:
>
> For what it's worth, plus or minus 30 seconds isn't all that big a deal.
>
>

.
______________________________________________________________
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]

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-2

Re: Time Syncronization

If it's plus/minus 1 minute as some have stated, or plus or minus 1
second, anything within 100 msec. should be plenty.

A decent NTP client will do that running against pool.ntp.org.

Exotic time-keeping doesn't seem to be necessary.

73 -- Lynn

On 9/13/2017 10:36 AM, David Anderson wrote:

> Lynn,
>
> For Modes like MSK144 FT8 JT65 you need to be much closer than that!
>
> Better than plus or minus 1 second is required.
>
>
> 73 from David GM4JJJ
>
>> On 13 Sep 2017, at 18:22, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT <KX3.1@ColdRocksHotBrooms..com> wrote:
>>
>> For what it's worth, plus or minus 30 seconds isn't all that big a deal.
>>
>>
>
>
> .
>

Josh Fiden

Re: Time Syncronization

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-2

Yikes! +/-30 secs and you might not even be transmitting when the other station is listening.

It's pretty well accepted that <1s is minimum accuracy for good performance. On EME you're looking for dT around 2.5 secs to help identify valid signals. If you're not within 0.3s, I'd be looking for a better solution.

Dimension 4 worked great on my XP machine. When I upgraded last year to a much faster Win 7, per recommendation from EME guru W7GJ's site, I installed Meinberg which has been trouble free. Since K6QXY's computer for JT isn't internet connected, I got a USB puck GPS receiver and NMEATime from VisualGPS.net for Bob, and it's been an excellent solution. Software plus receiver around $50. I expected we'd have to put the puck outdoors, but it locked just fine laying on the computer desk.

That's been my experience!

73,
Josh W6XU

Sent from my mobile device

>
> For what it's worth, plus or minus 30 seconds isn't all that big a deal.
>
>

______________________________________________________________
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]

Clay Autery-2

Re: Time Syncronization

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

+ another 1. Have been using Meinberg's NTP to replace Windows NTP and
monitor for a year now... Keeps me within a few milliseconds all the
time... Biggest offset in the last year has been less than 1/100th of a
second. Just works.

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

On 9/13/2017 12:03 PM, David Anderson via Elecraft wrote:

> +1
>
> 73 from David GM4JJJ
>
>> On 13 Sep 2017, at 14:33, M. George <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I use the free Meinberg NTP build on Windows 10.
>>
>> https://www.meinbergglobal.com/english/sw/ntp.htm
>>
>>
> .
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-2

Re: Time Syncronization

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-2

Misread the original post.

Plus or minus 500 msec. isn't a big deal. It's big enough that I'd
argue that it's essentially the same.

Comments about pool.ntp.org vs. the public Stratum 1 servers are still
valid.

On 9/13/2017 10:22 AM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:

> For what it's worth, plus or minus 30 seconds isn't all that big a deal.
>
> I would encourage everyone to avoid the "Stratum 1" servers (unless it's
> a private "Stratum 1" server), and use pool.ntp.org. This is a bunch of
> Stratum 2 servers that are accurate. The public Stratum 1 servers are
> subject to overload.
>
> 73 -- Lynn
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

Jim Brown-10

Re: Time Syncronization

Lynn,

You can argue all you like, but those with long experience with WSJT
modes try to keep their clock within a few tens of msec of correct time.
Why? Because the other station can be off in the other direction, and
what counts is the DIFFERENCE between you and the station you're trying
to work. And the greater that difference, the less likely that you will
decode each other, especially under weak signal conditions. Why?
Because the noise reduction schemes for JT65, JT9, and FT8 are
synchronized to the beginning of the transmission period, and the
decoding station needs to lock onto the sending station.

Time sync is LESS critical for modes like MSK144 and ISCAT, which are
primarily used for meteor scatter, decode from short bursts of signal,
and do not depend on sync for their decoding.

73, Jim K9YC

On 9/13/2017 1:38 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
> Plus or minus 500 msec. isn't a big deal. It's big enough that I'd
> argue that it's essentially the same.

______________________________________________________________
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]

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-2

Re: Time Syncronization

Again, my statement is that keeping good time is not difficult.

A good NTP client will do that.

Yes, I do realize that if your clock is 20 milliseconds fast, and the
other guy is 20 milliseconds slow, the total error is 40 milliseconds.

The documentation at
<http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wsjtx-doc/wsjtx-main-1.7.0.html#SYSREQ>
does say plus or minus 1 second.

It then goes on to recommend a couple of good NTP clients (which have
been mentioned here) that will do several orders of magnitude better
than that.

73 -- Lynn

On 9/13/2017 2:40 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

> Lynn,
>
> You can argue all you like, but those with long experience with WSJT
> modes try to keep their clock within a few tens of msec of correct time.
> Why? Because the other station can be off in the other direction, and
> what counts is the DIFFERENCE between you and the station you're trying
> to work. And the greater that difference, the less likely that you will
> decode each other, especially under weak signal conditions. Why? Because
> the noise reduction schemes for JT65, JT9, and FT8 are synchronized to
> the beginning of the transmission period, and the decoding station needs
> to lock onto the sending station.
>
> Time sync is LESS critical for modes like MSK144 and ISCAT, which are
> primarily used for meteor scatter, decode from short bursts of signal,
> and do not depend on sync for their decoding.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
> On 9/13/2017 1:38 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
>> Plus or minus 500 msec. isn't a big deal. It's big enough that I'd
>> argue that it's essentially the same.
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Ed Stallman-2

Re: Time Syncronization

In reply to this post by Josh Fiden

Unless I missed it no one has mentioned " Karen's Time Sync " From the
time JT44 was introduced I used Dimension 4 , as computers became
faster and Op systems changed . D4 started giving me intermittent
problems ! Two weeks ago I started using Karen's Time Sync with no
plans to change .

Ed N5DG

On 9/13/2017 2:19 PM, Josh wrote:

> Yikes! +/-30 secs and you might not even be transmitting when the other station is listening.
>
> It's pretty well accepted that <1s is minimum accuracy for good performance. On EME you're looking for dT around 2.5 secs to help identify valid signals. If you're not within 0.3s, I'd be looking for a better solution.
>
> Dimension 4 worked great on my XP machine. When I upgraded last year to a much faster Win 7, per recommendation from EME guru W7GJ's site, I installed Meinberg which has been trouble free. Since K6QXY's computer for JT isn't internet connected, I got a USB puck GPS receiver and NMEATime from VisualGPS.net for Bob, and it's been an excellent solution. Software plus receiver around $50. I expected we'd have to put the puck outdoors, but it locked just fine laying on the computer desk.
>
> That's been my experience!
>
> 73,
> Josh W6XU
>
> Sent from my mobile device
>
>> For what it's worth, plus or minus 30 seconds isn't all that big a deal.
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
______________________________________________________________
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]