[CVCC] Fw: FYI - Time Sync on FT8

[_ N3UA]

I am sharing an e-mail from George WB5JJJ regarding PC Time Synchronization for all those  who are QRV FT8 . He uses BktTtimeSync by IZ2BKT. The program is free , per George works great ! See below !

73

Sejo , N3UA

________________________________
From: WB5JJJ <wb5jjj at gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 2, 2020 5:14 PM
To: _ N3UA <n3ua at msn.com>
Subject: Re: FYI - Time Sync on FT8

The BktTtimeSync is so easy to install and setup.  It can run 24/7 without any interaction from you once you set it up.  Check the attachment for quick setup.  Just fill out or check the boxes as shown.  It just works.

Good luck.

73's
George - WB5JJJ


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On Wed, Sep 2, 2020 at 12:08 PM _ N3UA <n3ua at msn.com<mailto:n3ua at msn.com>> wrote:
Hi George,

Thanks for heads up. I am aware there is a drift in PC clock .Since I am not very serious about FT8 and other JT stuff I rely on Windows update that like you said is not stable. There are two time servers available time.window.com<http://time.window.com> and time.nict.gov<http://time.nict.gov> but very often the service is not available for the update. When I notice DT > 2 sec I do manual  synchronize, though I don't pay attention all the time...I don't use 3rd party program to keep the time synched  .

73

Sejo , N3UA

________________________________
From: WB5JJJ <wb5jjj at gmail.com<mailto:wb5jjj at gmail.com>>
Sent: Wednesday, September 2, 2020 3:33 PM
To: n3ua at msn.com<mailto:n3ua at msn.com> <n3ua at msn.com<mailto:n3ua at msn.com>>
Subject: FYI - Time Sync on FT8

I've noticed you on FT8 with a Band Activity window DT of -2.0s or more error rate.  The maximum decode window for FT8 is 2.5s and for FT4 it's just 1.0s.  The DT column should average below 0.5s, 0.3s typically.  Your high DT results in fewer folks seeing your CQ's or able to complete contacts if their error is offset just 0.5s from yours.  I see you mostly under the 2.5s limit, but occasionally I'll miss a decode or two that I should see.  Probably because your DT is now beyond the prescribed limit.  This will also cause multiple repeats of information since the other station did not decode you.

If you are using the default Windows Time Sync, which happens once a week by default, this will not be stable enough for FT operations after a couple of days clock drift.  You need to be using a 3rd party time sync program set to sync up no more often than every 30 minutes or so, unless your computer clock is really drifty.  If you are using Dimension4 as I was, it has now been blocked from several of its time servers for anonymous connections, and the others are no longer accurate enough for FT operation.  However, a small group of users are not seeing this.  But it appears to be a problem in later versions of Windows 10.

To check your computer clock, use the https://time.is website as a CHECK ONLY.  It does NOT correct your system clock, but it will say "exact" if you are well within standard tolerances.

Many have found the BktTimeSync from IZ2BKT works extremely well and will also take advantage of a $20 GPS "puck" and not use slower Internet NTP servers.  Mine keeps my DT to 0.0s or 0.1s when syncing my time every 30 minutes.  There are others available, it's your choice.

73's
George - WB5JJJ


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73's
George - WB5JJJ


4