Elecraft

accurate time

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W6ODJ

accurate time

While on the subject of time, where is the oscillator that is used by
the built-in clock on the K3? Is it adjustable? If so, how? I find
that the internal clock loses something like half a minute per day.
I'd like it to do better than that. Is there a way?

73,
Oliver Johns
W6ODJ
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KK7P

Re: accurate time

> While on the subject of time, where is the oscillator that is used by
> the built-in clock on the K3?

Front panel board.

> Is it adjustable?

No. Sorry...

73,

Lyle KK7P
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hb9brj

Re: accurate time

Lyle Johnson wrote

> While on the subject of time, where is the oscillator that is used by
> the built-in clock on the K3?

Front panel board.
> Is it adjustable?
No. Sorry...

U16 is the RTC (real-time clock) chip: PCF8563
In theory, frequency pulling is possible via C60 while monitoring CLKOUT (32768Hz) on pin7. The datasheet recommends a 5...25pF trimmer capacitor.
In reality this might be difficult since U16 must be powered up during the alignment...

Jan Holmer SM6TUW

Re: accurate time

In reply to this post by W6ODJ

> While on the subject of time, where is the oscillator that is used by
> the built-in clock on the K3?

Front panel board.

> Is it adjustable?

No. Sorry...

73,
Lyle KK7P

I consulted the data sheet for the clock circuit PCF8563T (U16 in the K3
circuit diagram ) You can adjust the average deviation over one year less
than +- 5 minutes. Adjustment of one capacitior (C60) is required though.
http://www.nxp.com/acrobat_download/datasheets/PCF8563_6.pdf

I feel that i have less accuracy on my K3 than my quarz clocks in the
schack so i will try this approach.
Lyle - when will we get a service manual (with PCB layout ) for
this wonderful station?

73
Jan SM6TUW
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Bob Naumann W5OV

Heil Proset Ic and MicroKeyer

I do not operate SSB very much, but I wanted to get my Microham MicroKeyer
working with N1MM for "voice keying". I have the Heil Proset Ic from
Elecraft and it works well plugged into the 1/8" mic jack of the MicroKeyer
and the MicroKeyer mic output is plugged into the rear panel mic jack of the
K3. FB thus far.

Now, when trying to record in N1MM, I get nothing. The interval of the
recording is correct but apparently there is no audio getting from the mic
to the soundcard. I have tried all of the audio switching options. The
preamp jumpers are both set to ON, but I tried setting them OFF and it made
no difference.

Is this an issue with using the Ic model Proset? In the past, with other
radios I have used a standard Proset with HC4 and have not had any trouble.
I do not have that headset any longer though, so I can't try it out.

The main reason for doing this is so my XYL does not hear me saying my
callsign over and over which drives her crazy. This is another reason I
prefer CW and RTTY! With voice keying, I could continue to operate without
her knowing it!

Has anyone else been through this with the Proset Ic reaching a solution?

Thanks,

Bob W5OV

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Heil Proset Ic and MicroKeyer

Bob,

> Is this an issue with using the Ic model Proset?

Open the (original) microKEYER and reset the jumpers on
side of the daughter card to bypass the preamplifier.
See page 38 of the manual - Setting Audio Levels.

With the iC mic (or any microphone that uses bias on
the audio line) the preamplifier must be bypassed to
allow the bias from the soundcard to reach the mic
element. Conversely, with a dynamic element (e.g.
the HC4/HC5) the preamplifier must be enabled to
keep the bias from damaging the coil of the element.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Robert Naumann
> Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2009 9:42 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] Heil Proset Ic and MicroKeyer
>
>
> I do not operate SSB very much, but I wanted to get my
> Microham MicroKeyer working with N1MM for "voice keying". I
> have the Heil Proset Ic from Elecraft and it works well
> plugged into the 1/8" mic jack of the MicroKeyer and the
> MicroKeyer mic output is plugged into the rear panel mic jack
> of the K3. FB thus far.
>
> Now, when trying to record in N1MM, I get nothing. The
> interval of the recording is correct but apparently there is
> no audio getting from the mic to the soundcard. I have tried
> all of the audio switching options. The preamp jumpers are
> both set to ON, but I tried setting them OFF and it made no
> difference.
>
> Is this an issue with using the Ic model Proset? In the past,
> with other radios I have used a standard Proset with HC4 and
> have not had any trouble. I do not have that headset any
> longer though, so I can't try it out.
>
> The main reason for doing this is so my XYL does not hear me
> saying my callsign over and over which drives her crazy. This
> is another reason I prefer CW and RTTY! With voice keying, I
> could continue to operate without her knowing it!
>
> Has anyone else been through this with the Proset Ic reaching
> a solution?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bob W5OV
>

KK6T

Re: accurate time

In reply to this post by Jan Holmer SM6TUW

Can the RTC be set via a software command? The software could check an
internet time server and update the K3 as necessary.

73 de Terry KK6T

SM6TUW wrote:

>> While on the subject of time, where is the oscillator that is used by
>> the built-in clock on the K3?
>>
>
> Front panel board.
>
>
>> Is it adjustable?
>>
>
> No. Sorry...
>
> 73,
> Lyle KK7P
>
> I consulted the data sheet for the clock circuit PCF8563T (U16 in the K3
> circuit diagram ) You can adjust the average deviation over one year less
> than +- 5 minutes. Adjustment of one capacitior (C60) is required though.
> http://www.nxp.com/acrobat_download/datasheets/PCF8563_6.pdf
>
> I feel that i have less accuracy on my K3 than my quarz clocks in the
> schack so i will try this approach.
> Lyle - when will we get a service manual (with PCB layout ) for
> this wonderful station?
>
> 73
> Jan SM6TUW
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>
>

Dick Dievendorff

Re: accurate time

Yes, it can.

The K3 commands involved are K31; MN073; DS; SWT11; UP; or DN; SWT12; UP; or
DN; SWT13; UP; or DN; and MN255;

Recent versions of Windows (certainly XP and beyond) include an NTP client
that can synchronize with one of several NTP servers. You right click the
time in the status bar, choose "Adjust Date/Time", select the "Internet
Time" tab, optionally provide an alternate NTP server and punch the "update
now" button. No special NTP client code is required to get to the accuracy
necessary for this sort of task.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Terry
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 11:37 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time

Can the RTC be set via a software command? The software could check an
internet time server and update the K3 as necessary.

73 de Terry KK6T

SM6TUW wrote:

Bill Johnson-9

Re: accurate time

Dick,

Are the "or" s to be construed as optional or are they part of the command?

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Dick Dievendorff
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 3:11 PM
To: 'Terry'; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time

Yes, it can.

The K3 commands involved are K31; MN073; DS; SWT11; UP; or DN; SWT12; UP; or
DN; SWT13; UP; or DN; and MN255;

Recent versions of Windows (certainly XP and beyond) include an NTP client
that can synchronize with one of several NTP servers. You right click the
time in the status bar, choose "Adjust Date/Time", select the "Internet
Time" tab, optionally provide an alternate NTP server and punch the "update
now" button. No special NTP client code is required to get to the accuracy
necessary for this sort of task.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Terry
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 11:37 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time

Can the RTC be set via a software command? The software could check an
internet time server and update the K3 as necessary.

73 de Terry KK6T

SM6TUW wrote:

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KK6T

Re: accurate time

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff

So we just need a little utility that will automate this process and
keep the K3 "on time".

73 de Terry KK6T

Dick Dievendorff wrote:

> Yes, it can.
>
> The K3 commands involved are K31; MN073; DS; SWT11; UP; or DN; SWT12; UP; or
> DN; SWT13; UP; or DN; and MN255;
>
> Recent versions of Windows (certainly XP and beyond) include an NTP client
> that can synchronize with one of several NTP servers. You right click the
> time in the status bar, choose "Adjust Date/Time", select the "Internet
> Time" tab, optionally provide an alternate NTP server and punch the "update
> now" button. No special NTP client code is required to get to the accuracy
> necessary for this sort of task.
>
> Dick, K6KR
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Terry
> Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 11:37 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time
>
> Can the RTC be set via a software command? The software could check an
> internet time server and update the K3 as necessary.
>
> 73 de Terry KK6T
>
> SM6TUW wrote:
>
>>> While on the subject of time, where is the oscillator that is used by
>>> the built-in clock on the K3?
>>>
>>>
>> Front panel board.
>>
>>
>>
>>> Is it adjustable?
>>>
>>>
>> No. Sorry...
>>
>> 73,
>> Lyle KK7P
>>
>> I consulted the data sheet for the clock circuit PCF8563T (U16 in the K3
>> circuit diagram ) You can adjust the average deviation over one year less
>> than +- 5 minutes. Adjustment of one capacitior (C60) is required though.
>> http://www.nxp.com/acrobat_download/datasheets/PCF8563_6.pdf
>>
>> I feel that i have less accuracy on my K3 than my quarz clocks in the
>> schack so i will try this approach.
>> Lyle - when will we get a service manual (with PCB layout ) for
>> this wonderful station?
>>
>> 73
>> Jan SM6TUW
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>
>
>

Dick Dievendorff

Re: accurate time

In reply to this post by Bill Johnson-9

My approach would be to view the result of the DS; command (which shows
what's in VFO A) and then use the UP; command OR the DN; command to get the
VFO A display to match my notion of the correct time.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Johnson [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 1:41 PM
To: 'Dick Dievendorff'; 'Terry'; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] accurate time

Dick,

Are the "or" s to be construed as optional or are they part of the command?

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Dick Dievendorff
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 3:11 PM
To: 'Terry'; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time

Yes, it can.

The K3 commands involved are K31; MN073; DS; SWT11; UP; or DN; SWT12; UP; or
DN; SWT13; UP; or DN; and MN255;

Recent versions of Windows (certainly XP and beyond) include an NTP client
that can synchronize with one of several NTP servers. You right click the
time in the status bar, choose "Adjust Date/Time", select the "Internet
Time" tab, optionally provide an alternate NTP server and punch the "update
now" button. No special NTP client code is required to get to the accuracy
necessary for this sort of task.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Terry
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 11:37 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time

Can the RTC be set via a software command? The software could check an
internet time server and update the K3 as necessary.

73 de Terry KK6T

SM6TUW wrote:

Dick Dievendorff

Re: accurate time

In reply to this post by KK6T

They exist. This capability is being considered for eventual inclusion in
the K3 Utility. But I have other K3 Utility tasks ahead of this one...

If you're impatient, you might be able to work up something based on the
commands described...

73 de Dick, k6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: Terry [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 1:43 PM
To: Dick Dievendorff
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time

So we just need a little utility that will automate this process and
keep the K3 "on time".

73 de Terry KK6T

Dick Dievendorff wrote:
> Yes, it can.
>
> The K3 commands involved are K31; MN073; DS; SWT11; UP; or DN; SWT12; UP;
or
> DN; SWT13; UP; or DN; and MN255;
>
> Recent versions of Windows (certainly XP and beyond) include an NTP client
> that can synchronize with one of several NTP servers. You right click the
> time in the status bar, choose "Adjust Date/Time", select the "Internet
> Time" tab, optionally provide an alternate NTP server and punch the
"update
> now" button. No special NTP client code is required to get to the
accuracy

> necessary for this sort of task.
>
> Dick, K6KR
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Terry
> Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 11:37 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time
>
> Can the RTC be set via a software command? The software could check an
> internet time server and update the K3 as necessary.
>
> 73 de Terry KK6T
>
> SM6TUW wrote:
>
>>> While on the subject of time, where is the oscillator that is used by
>>> the built-in clock on the K3?
>>>
>>>
>> Front panel board.
>>
>>
>>
>>> Is it adjustable?
>>>
>>>
>> No. Sorry...
>>
>> 73,
>> Lyle KK7P
>>
>> I consulted the data sheet for the clock circuit PCF8563T (U16 in the K3
>> circuit diagram ) You can adjust the average deviation over one year less
>> than +- 5 minutes. Adjustment of one capacitior (C60) is required though.
>> http://www.nxp.com/acrobat_download/datasheets/PCF8563_6.pdf
>>
>> I feel that i have less accuracy on my K3 than my quarz clocks in the
>> schack so i will try this approach.
>> Lyle - when will we get a service manual (with PCB layout ) for
>> this wonderful station?
>>
>> 73
>> Jan SM6TUW
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>
>
>

Bill Johnson-9

Re: accurate time

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff

I guess I misunderstood. I thought your commands would collect the Time
data and send it to the radio.

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods

-----Original Message-----
From: Dick Dievendorff [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 3:46 PM
To: 'Bill Johnson'; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] accurate time

My approach would be to view the result of the DS; command (which shows
what's in VFO A) and then use the UP; command OR the DN; command to get the
VFO A display to match my notion of the correct time.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Johnson [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 1:41 PM
To: 'Dick Dievendorff'; 'Terry'; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] accurate time

Dick,

Are the "or" s to be construed as optional or are they part of the command?

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Dick Dievendorff
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 3:11 PM
To: 'Terry'; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time

Yes, it can.

The K3 commands involved are K31; MN073; DS; SWT11; UP; or DN; SWT12; UP; or
DN; SWT13; UP; or DN; and MN255;

Recent versions of Windows (certainly XP and beyond) include an NTP client
that can synchronize with one of several NTP servers. You right click the
time in the status bar, choose "Adjust Date/Time", select the "Internet
Time" tab, optionally provide an alternate NTP server and punch the "update
now" button. No special NTP client code is required to get to the accuracy
necessary for this sort of task.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Terry
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 11:37 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time

Can the RTC be set via a software command? The software could check an
internet time server and update the K3 as necessary.

73 de Terry KK6T

SM6TUW wrote:

Bill Johnson-9

Re: accurate time

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff

My effort is just to use notepad and paste into the Command line on occasion
to sync the clock. However, this didn't seem to work based on what you sent
out. I was just playing and am in no hurry. One does learn, however,
through the tinkering process. :-)

Bill

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Dick Dievendorff
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 3:49 PM
To: 'Terry'
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time

They exist. This capability is being considered for eventual inclusion in
the K3 Utility. But I have other K3 Utility tasks ahead of this one...

If you're impatient, you might be able to work up something based on the
commands described...

73 de Dick, k6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: Terry [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 1:43 PM
To: Dick Dievendorff
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time

So we just need a little utility that will automate this process and
keep the K3 "on time".

73 de Terry KK6T

Dick Dievendorff wrote:
> Yes, it can.
>
> The K3 commands involved are K31; MN073; DS; SWT11; UP; or DN; SWT12; UP;
or
> DN; SWT13; UP; or DN; and MN255;
>
> Recent versions of Windows (certainly XP and beyond) include an NTP client
> that can synchronize with one of several NTP servers. You right click the
> time in the status bar, choose "Adjust Date/Time", select the "Internet
> Time" tab, optionally provide an alternate NTP server and punch the
"update
> now" button. No special NTP client code is required to get to the
accuracy

Bill Johnson-9

Re: accurate time

In reply to this post by Bill Johnson-9

That's exactly what I thought we were trying to do. I entered the commands
and zilch.

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods

-----Original Message-----
From: Dick Dievendorff [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 8:00 PM
To: 'Bill Johnson'
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] accurate time

As I understand this thread, we're trying to set the K3's time-of-day clock
from a personal computer.

Dick

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Johnson [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 1:50 PM
To: 'Dick Dievendorff'; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] accurate time

I guess I misunderstood. I thought your commands would collect the Time
data and send it to the radio.

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods

-----Original Message-----
From: Dick Dievendorff [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 3:46 PM
To: 'Bill Johnson'; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] accurate time

My approach would be to view the result of the DS; command (which shows
what's in VFO A) and then use the UP; command OR the DN; command to get the
VFO A display to match my notion of the correct time.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Johnson [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 1:41 PM
To: 'Dick Dievendorff'; 'Terry'; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] accurate time

Dick,

Are the "or" s to be construed as optional or are they part of the command?

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Dick Dievendorff
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 3:11 PM
To: 'Terry'; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time

Yes, it can.

The K3 commands involved are K31; MN073; DS; SWT11; UP; or DN; SWT12; UP; or
DN; SWT13; UP; or DN; and MN255;

Recent versions of Windows (certainly XP and beyond) include an NTP client
that can synchronize with one of several NTP servers. You right click the
time in the status bar, choose "Adjust Date/Time", select the "Internet
Time" tab, optionally provide an alternate NTP server and punch the "update
now" button. No special NTP client code is required to get to the accuracy
necessary for this sort of task.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Terry
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 11:37 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time

Can the RTC be set via a software command? The software could check an
internet time server and update the K3 as necessary.

73 de Terry KK6T

SM6TUW wrote:

David Woolley (E.L)

Re: accurate time

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff

Dick Dievendorff wrote:
>
>
> Recent versions of Windows (certainly XP and beyond) include an NTP client

Although it may not matter if you only want a non-resillient time source
accurate to a few seconds, XP only contains a (broken) implementation of
SNTP, not NTP. Windows 2003 contains an implementation of NTP, which is
broken out of the box (it will not work against a real NTP server, and
will accept time from servers indicating that they don't have a valid
time), but may be configured to be compliant, or at least less broken.
Out of the box, these all poll too slowly for tight time control,
although well enough for Windows Kerberos to work.

> that can synchronize with one of several NTP servers. You right click the

NTP requires several, as much of the specification is about using
multiple servers to detect server problems and improve the time quality.

> time in the status bar, choose "Adjust Date/Time", select the "Internet
> Time" tab, optionally provide an alternate NTP server and punch the "update

Two servers isn't enough, with true NTP, to isolate a faulty server.

> now" button. No special NTP client code is required to get to the accuracy
> necessary for this sort of task.

However, to get accuracy of the order of the tick interval on Windows,
you need to use the open source reference implementation of NTP, rather
than W32Time, and to get accuracy of the order of 10s of microseconds,
you need to use Unix and a clock with a pulse per second output.

For wristwatch and eyeball accuracy for logging W32Time may be OK, but
not, especially out of the box, for anything that requires accurate time
synchronisation.

--
David Woolley
"The Elecraft list is a forum for the discussion of topics related to
Elecraft products and more general topics related ham radio"
List Guidelines <http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_list_guidelines.htm>
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Julian, G4ILO

Re: accurate time

In reply to this post by Bill Johnson-9

Bill Johnson-9 wrote

That's exactly what I thought we were trying to do. I entered the commands
and zilch.

Dick was just outlining the method a programmer would use to set the time, the commands you would need to use. He was not giving you the actual program. :) The implementation would be quite tricky. It is not just a matter of sending a fixed sequence of commands to the radio. If there was one command like ST23:59:59; it would be a lot easier.

Personally it doesn't seem worth the trouble. I didn't buy a K3 to have the world's most expensive clock radio. In my shack I have a radio controlled clock, on my wrist I wear a radio controlled watch, and my computer is also synced to better than 1 second using NTP for the logging program. There are more useful things the K3 VFO B can display, like the VFO B frequency or the PA temperature.

Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

David Fleming-2

Re: accurate time

Julian, G4ILO wrote:

> Dick was just outlining the method a programmer would use
> to set the time, the commands you would need to use. He was
> not giving you the actual program. :) The implementation would
> be quite tricky.

I wrote such a program last night. It did turn out to be a bit tricky, but it actually works. It basically compares the time on the K3 with the time on the computer and sends the approriate commands to make the two coincide.

Sending all of the neccessary commands, along with the various delays that are required to make it work right, takes time. Depending on how many UP; or DN; commands that are needed, it can take up to 0.5 second or so to complete the update. This prevents getting the K3's clock set *exactly* to the tick with the computer, but it gets it close enough. For me anyway.

I added a couple of "features" as well. There's a UTC option that allows either UTC or local time. There's also a "Auto-Update" option that will set the K3 clock automatically when the program in run without user intervention. The program then terminates after the update is sent. This allows scheduling of periodic updates - like every week, or every day, or whatever.

If anyone is interested, I'll polish it up and make it available for download. I've only played with it on the Mac, but I should be able to compile it for Windows too.

David, W4SMT
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Mike Harris-9

Re: accurate time

G'day,

Every now and then I just use WWV and set the seconds by hand. A bit too
retro for some maybe but works without a PC. I also use WWV for setting
the PC clock before using WSJT modes.

Regards,

Mike VP8NO

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Bill Johnson-9

Re: accurate time

In reply to this post by Bill Johnson-9

Dick,

Thank you! That puts it in format I can understand. Now I can play! Thank
you!!!

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods
-----Original Message-----
From: Dick Dievendorff [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 8:19 PM
To: 'Bill Johnson'
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] accurate time

Oh, it's going to take some logic surrounding those commands!

If you use the command tester and watch your rig you can see what has to
happen.

K31;
MN073; you should see "time" in VFO B area and the HH:MM:SS in the VFO A
area.
SWT11; and the HH should blink.
Then, depending on the time of day you'll have to use the UP; or DN;
commands to alter the HH part of the time.
When you get the HH right, then enter SWT12; and the MM part should start
blinking. Depending on the time of day and what the K3's MM says, use UP;
or DN; to get the minutes right. SWT13; and do the same for seconds.

Maybe it'd be better to do the seconds first.

Then MN255; to wrap it all up.

It requires some programming to do this automatically. If I do this I'll
have to deal with the choice of local time or UTC, and also in setting the
date there is a choice of order of the parts of the date. It's these
details that make it a lengthy process.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Johnson [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 6:07 PM
To: 'Dick Dievendorff'
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] accurate time

That's exactly what I thought we were trying to do. I entered the commands
and zilch.

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods

-----Original Message-----
From: Dick Dievendorff [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 8:00 PM
To: 'Bill Johnson'
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] accurate time

As I understand this thread, we're trying to set the K3's time-of-day clock
from a personal computer.

Dick

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Johnson [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 1:50 PM
To: 'Dick Dievendorff'; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] accurate time

I guess I misunderstood. I thought your commands would collect the Time
data and send it to the radio.

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods

-----Original Message-----
From: Dick Dievendorff [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 3:46 PM
To: 'Bill Johnson'; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] accurate time

My approach would be to view the result of the DS; command (which shows
what's in VFO A) and then use the UP; command OR the DN; command to get the
VFO A display to match my notion of the correct time.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Johnson [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 1:41 PM
To: 'Dick Dievendorff'; 'Terry'; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] accurate time

Dick,

Are the "or" s to be construed as optional or are they part of the command?

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Dick Dievendorff
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 3:11 PM
To: 'Terry'; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time

Yes, it can.

The K3 commands involved are K31; MN073; DS; SWT11; UP; or DN; SWT12; UP; or
DN; SWT13; UP; or DN; and MN255;

Recent versions of Windows (certainly XP and beyond) include an NTP client
that can synchronize with one of several NTP servers. You right click the
time in the status bar, choose "Adjust Date/Time", select the "Internet
Time" tab, optionally provide an alternate NTP server and punch the "update
now" button. No special NTP client code is required to get to the accuracy
necessary for this sort of task.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Terry
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 11:37 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] accurate time

Can the RTC be set via a software command? The software could check an
internet time server and update the K3 as necessary.

73 de Terry KK6T

SM6TUW wrote: