[NLRS] Using GPS to set Computer TIme

Wed Jun 26 00:22:48 EDT 2019

I've updated the subject line (it's not THAT hard to do!)

I've had a specific recommendation of "NMEATime2 by VisualGPS" for using a
USB connected GPS 'puck' to set the time on Windows computers. There IS a
charge for the program (it's not free/not shareware).

I've not used it myself, I only received the recommendation from another
person who was looking into it (and I think he received the recommendation
from someone else). I have no connection with Visual GPS.

73, John, K9JK

On Tue, Jun 25, 2019 at 7:52 PM Doug Reed <n0nas at amsat.org> wrote:

>
> A Quick search turned up multiple links.
> <
>
> https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/most-compatible-time-sync-software-for-wsjt-x
> >
> This one is specific to software compatible with WSJT-X running on Windows.
>
> <https://www.g4ifb.com/FT8_Hinson_tips_for_HF_DXers.pdf>
> A similar list of programs is on page 5 of this PDF.
>
> <https://duckduckgo.com/?q=windows+gps+time+sync+app&t=lm&ia=web>
> This is the quick search I used and the results.
>
> Note that I have not used any of these since I'm using Linux instead of
> Windows. But I expect there is a similar batch of programs and How-To's for
> Linux. I wouldn't bother with this unless I'm using the GPS for location
> and antenna pointing too. For a quick weekend operation, I expect the PC's
> hardware clock should keep the time well enough for WSJT-X, but test it to
> be sure. For home use, use the Internet time servers. (It was interesting
> to see WSJT-X suggest beam headings for stations it copied.)
>
> 73, Doug Reed, N0NAS.
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 25, 2019 at 3:57 PM GARY JOHNSON <garywy0v at msn.com> wrote:
>
> > I do not want to use a laptop mobile but I do have a question related to
> > this thread.  What GPS utility program can be used with the GPS dongles.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Gary, wy0v
> >
> > On 6/25/2019 2:13 PM, Doug Reed wrote:
> > > Police cars usually have a laptop mount either where the transmission
> > hump
> > > used to be or slightly into the passenger area. Usually it is something
> > > like a very heavy-duty goose neck with a shelf on top for the laptop.
> > Take
> > > a look on Ebay or Amazon for "laptop mobile mount" and you'll get a
> > variety
> > > of cheaper ideas. One of the easier ideas is probably the model that
> has
> > > legs going under the seat with a table top above the bench seat. You
> > could
> > > probably bend that out of EMT conduit for almost nothing.
> > >
> > > Personally, I don't like the laptop on the seat since that usually puts
> > it
> > > more in the sun so the screen is hard to read. I always liked having my
> > > radio's control head above the rear view mirror since it was mostly out
> > of
> > > the sun. I keep wondering if I could mount a 7" or 10" tablet to the
> > visor
> > > so it folds up out of the way. That might actually work better if you
> > use a
> > > 7" or larger HDMI video display on the visor and plug it into a laptop
> > > under the seat. Might also be interesting to use a Raspberry Pi 3B+ as
> > the
> > > computer, with the HDMI display and a wired or wireless keyboard and
> > mouse.
> > > That kind of system is halfway to running as a remote ham station. I'm
> > not
> > > a touch-typist so the constant up-down of my head for screen and
> keyboard
> > > might be a fail.
> > >
> > > To solve the accurate time problem, you can buy a "GPS USB" device for
> $3
> > > to $15 on Ebay and run a utility program that uses it to set the laptop
> > > time and even get your location. As Jon said, the laptop time needs to
> be
> > > accurate within a second or two. If you set the laptop time on Friday
> via
> > > the Internet, it should still be close enough on Sunday night. I would
> > > recommend you test this by setting the time on Friday, shutting off the
> > > laptop until Monday, and then run the time set routine again to see how
> > far
> > > off it is. Try the <time.is> web site to check and set the time via
> the
> > > Internet. Although I'm not sure if that sets the hardware time too. You
> > > must shut off the laptop to make sure the hardware clock is accurate
> for
> > > reboots.
> > >
> > > 73, Doug Reed, N0NAS.
> > >
> > >
> > > On Tue, Jun 25, 2019 at 9:38 AM Jon Platt via NLRS <
> nlrs at mailman.qth.net
> > >
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > >> Hi Mel I have two lap tops.  The first one is a (very) old but
> > physically
> > >> small Gateway with a Intel Atom N270 processor.  Its probably
> > classified as
> > >> a "netbook".  Its 10" x 8.5" and sits on my lap very nicely when used
> > in my
> > >> rover/mobile.  This is the laptop that I have used for many years with
> > N1MM
> > >> for mobile HF contesting; MNQP, WiQP, KSQP, etc.  I love it for that.
> > >> However, its probably underpowered for WSJT-X.   My second laptop is a
> > Dell
> > >> Inspiron 15.  Its physically bigger as it has a full keypad, perhaps
> > its a
> > >> "big" laptop, with a 15.6" screen and running Windows 10.  It runs
> > WSJT-X
> > >> well, no problems.  While the larger screen is nice for viewing, it
> > doesn't
> > >> sit on my lap as well in the mobile/rover, but I can manage.  I used
> > this
> > >> in the June contest to make maybe 30 or so FT8 Q's from the rover.  I
> do
> > >> have my "Display" set for 150% thus making WSJT screens easier to see
> > >> (i.e., larger).   For time, I did not have my GPS working so I set the
> > >> laptops time using WWV ala listening to 10 MHz from my FT897.  With a
> > >> little practice you can get better than 1 second accuracy which is
> good
> > >> enough for FT8 (but maybe not MSK144) and it seemed to hold this
> > accuracy
> > >> for the full weekend.   Note with Windows 10, you do not have control
> of
> > >> the clocks "seconds" setting if you try to change time via the normal
> > right
> > >> click on the time ... it only allows you to enter hour and minute and
> > >> seconds is whatever it is.   To control hour, minutes, AND seconds
> > requires
> > >> that you to do this via the Control Panel, then Clock and Region, then
> > Set
> > >> the time and date, then Change date and time, which gets you to the
> > clock
> > >> control format that is similar to Windows 7.  YMMV. 73,
> > >> JonW0ZQ  -----Original Message-----
> > >> From: Melvyn Larson via NLRS <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
> > >> To: nlrs <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
> > >> Sent: Mon, Jun 24, 2019 11:31 pm
> > >> Subject: [NLRS] Wanted to Buy
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> I had good success with FT-8  on 6 M during field Day making about 40
> > >> contacts with
> > >>
> > >> a borrowed Acer 10-14 inch Laptop. Needed Binocular Nagnifier for Weak
> > >> Eyes tosee the calls to double click on them. I need a laptop of my
> own.
> > >> Can it run on Windows with the screen Magnifier ? or does it have to
> be
> > >> Linex ?
> > >> Would be interesting to hear what kind of Laptop setup is working for
> > >> othersin NLRS.
> > >> Think I can buy a shelf that fits over the steering wheel for when I
> am
> > >> stopped.
> > >> Mel KC0P/R
> > >>
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