[Elecraft] KXBC3 clock drift

[w7aqk]

Now Don, don't get testy!  Hi.  Actually, I think the critics may have a 
good point--especially the ones using digital.  For me, it is no big deal, 
but the clock gets so far off so quickly I have stopped even looking at it. 
However, the digital users do need some precision in order to get their 
transmissions timed correctly for an exchange.

I don't know why the clock doesn't work so well, but there probably is a 
good explanation for it.  Still, in this day and age when a few bucks can 
get you a clock that only loses/gains a second or two a month, it's hard to 
understand why this clock performs so poorly.  I don't have a KX2 clock, but 
I do have one in my KX3.  At this moment it is 5 minutes fast, and I last 
set it to WWV about a month ago.  The specs for the KX2 clock say the 
deviation can be minimized to about 2 seconds per day, so apparently it is a 
lot better!  I have a wrist watch that barely loses or gains 1 second a 
month--it's solar powered and no GPS involved either!  In any event, it is a 
bit of a misnomer to call the rig accessory a "real time clock"!  Hi. 
However, the clock feature is really an "extra", and not the main reason for 
buying the accessory in the first place--at least I don't think anyone is 
doing that.  So, it's hard to be too critical of the cost, since that 
applies mainly to the other features provided by the accessory.

It would be nice to better understand the problem, though, so maybe someone 
from Elecraft can explain it.  Then we can all get back to our regularly 
scheduled program, which is already in progress!

Dave W7AQK


--------------------------
From: Don Wilhelm <donwilh at embarqmail.com>
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KXBC3 clock drift
Message-ID: <4e2db433-d787-e8d4-a93f-520629edb8d3 at embarqmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed

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. :-)