Most Compatible Time Sync Software for WSJT-X

Greg - KØGDI

What is everybody using for time sync that is best compatible with the Flex 6700 and SmartSDR?

Rick

Meinberg....better than Dimensions4

K3DCW

Well, the Windows time sync should be good enough for most people. But, if you're interested in more precise (and more often) sync'ing of the system clock for stuff like the JT/FT-modes, then take a look at Meinberg.  You install it as a service on your system, let it disable the built-in time sync and it just works.

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


Dimension4 is another popular program that I used back in the early 00's, but I haven't used anything other than Meinberg for the last 6 years or more. It just works.

Mike-VA3MW

Any of the current ones work, as the time on the computer is key, not the radio. . I use Nettime. http://www.timesynctool.com/ Mike

RoyS

Greg, I use and recommend BktTimeSync.

It can be found at  http://www.maniaradio.it/en/bkttimesync.html

Give it a try.

Roy - W5TKZ

Eric Gruff

SPTimeSync works great. I liked Dimension for its automatic syncing, but it caused my 6700 to lock up frequently. Not sure why, but definitely related to using it.

Ria

I use the official NTP client which is compiled and distributed by Meinberg. 
Dimension 4 also works but I prefer Meinberg's distribution of NTP.

The difference basically is between continuously steering the clock to accuracy versus slapping it upside the head at pre-set intervals.  (Basically NTP vs SNTP).  However there is no difference for most end users. Use whatever works. 

Ria

Greg - KØGDI

Seems like a number of you all use that Meinberg software.  Let you all know how it goes.

Neal_K3NC

Meinberg NTP

Steve W6SDM

I've been using Dimension 4 without any problems, but then I am not a digital power user.  I got Dimension 4 based upon recommendations when I experimented with JT65.  Now that I see that Meinberg is the preferred program, I will give that a try.

WA2SQQ

I don't find the need to use any software I just edited the registry to have Windows update my time every 60 minutes

Greg - KØGDI

Do you have the info on how to do that?

wb7ond

I like to use NMEATime because I can easily switch it between NTP (network) or my Holux bluetooth GPS receiver when I am in the park.  

Andrew VK5CV

Works well with GPS too.
Andrew de VK5CV

WA2SQQ

Here are two tutorials

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/change-internet-time-update-interval-windows

https://www.windows10update.com/2015/08/windows-10-tutorials-155-change-the-time-synchronization-interval-in-windows-10/

Greg - KØGDI

Thank you so much!

David Decoons, wo2x

I ise PresenTense. It is not free but I had a few licenses extra from a project and it works fine. We use it on out VoIP 9-1-1 systems at work where timestamping in the logs is very critical. Runs as a service on the workstation PC. Dave wo2x

Phil M0VSE

I use Meinberg NTP as well. Being a full implementation of ntpd it allows me to sync to both the NMEA/PPS output of my BG7TPL GPSDO and external hosts.

Ria

I've always wondered, is it possible to get NTP data or other time sync data from a GPSDO enabled Flex signature series radio? That would be reallycool and useful for dxpeditions to remote places with no internet. 

Phil M0VSE

Hi Ria, I seem to remember this being asked before and the answer being no. It would be useful and in theory should be possible.

joe camilli

Other than Meinberg NTP are there any other programs that can use the one pulse per second from a GPS for time correction?

W0JD

I concur Meinberg NTP works well. 

FYI my GPS based setup.

http://morsetutor.com/2014/10/jt65jt9-workstation-gps-time-sync/

dlwarnberg

Duane N9DG

I've used this method for years to keep Windows machines sync'd to NTP. Works very well for the time accuracy needed for things like WSJT modes. No need to install anything new on the machine.

Duane N9DG

This works very well for machines that are isolated from the Internet. I am currently using this exact configuration myself.

Ria

Yeah I kinda figured. Would be nice though. This is one reason to consider an external GPSDO

philip.theis

I believe it's on the list

Patrick

TimeTools gets my vote. I tri ed all the previously suggested clients. Some were overly complex and aimed at more scientific time keeping, others were not reliable on my computer. But time tools is basic works nicely with my GPS time server, and gives me enough information on the performance of my clomputers clock.

NX6D Dave

Rather than edit the registry, you can simply create a new periodic task that runs the time updater once an hour or so.  This has worked well for me, but see my comment on down the page.

NX6D Dave

After fiddling around with FT8 for a few hours, I'm coming to the conclusion that it is more sensitive to small delta-ts than JT65 or JT9.  I've run JT65 and JT9 for years with reported delta-ts in the zero to 1.5 second range with no problem, but at 1.5 seconds (1/10 of the 15 second interval), I'm having quite a bit of trouble decoding signals. Still a lot more experimentation to do, and it is a beta implementation, but I think it's going to be important to keep a tighter time sync in this mode.

Ernest

Food for though,
I recently started using FT8 mode (very similar to JT9/65.)
The accuracy of the time seems to be more critical than previous mode.
The FT8  program requires nearly perfect synchronization; since the decode time for
conversation are coming at a rate of every 15 seconds interval. 
I looked at various computer clocks synchronizing programs and I decided to go with the one that K3DCW suggested: https://www.meinbergglobal.com/english/sw/ntp.htm#ntp_stable
I've used Dimension, the computer synchronizing clock (which needed to be manually trigger to keep it up to date) plus various other ones, and this new installed clock has not missed a beep in several days.