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Most Compatible Time Sync Software for WSJT-X

Greg - KØGDI
Greg - KØGDI Member ✭✭
edited June 2020 in SmartSDR for Windows
What is everybody using for time sync that is best compatible with the Flex 6700 and SmartSDR?
«1

Answers

  • Rick
    Rick Member ✭✭
    edited May 2020
    Meinberg....better than Dimensions4
  • K3DCW
    K3DCW Member ✭✭
    edited April 2019
    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
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin
    edited April 2019
    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
    RoyS Member ✭✭
    edited December 2019
    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
    Eric Gruff Member ✭✭
    edited July 2017
    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
    Ria Member ✭✭✭
    edited November 2019
    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
    Greg - KØGDI Member ✭✭
    edited November 2019
    Seems like a number of you all use that Meinberg software.  Let you all know how it goes.
  • Neal_K3NC
    Neal_K3NC Member ✭✭
    edited July 2017
    Meinberg NTP
  • Steve W6SDM
    Steve W6SDM Member ✭✭✭
    edited July 2017
    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
    WA2SQQ Member ✭✭
    edited December 2019
    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
    Greg - KØGDI Member ✭✭
    edited July 2017
    Do you have the info on how to do that?
  • wb7ond
    wb7ond Member ✭✭
    edited July 2018
    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
    Andrew VK5CV Member ✭✭
    edited July 2017
    Works well with GPS too.
    Andrew de VK5CV
  • Greg - KØGDI
    Greg - KØGDI Member ✭✭
    edited July 2017
    Thank you so much!
  • David Decoons, wo2x
    David Decoons, wo2x Member, Super Elmer Moderator
    edited June 2020
    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
    Phil M0VSE Member ✭✭
    edited July 2017
    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
    Ria Member ✭✭✭
    edited November 2019
    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
    Phil M0VSE Member ✭✭
    edited July 2017
    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
    joe camilli Member ✭✭
    edited July 2017
    Other than Meinberg NTP are there any other programs that can use the one pulse per second from a GPS for time correction?
  • W0JD
    W0JD Member ✭✭
    edited January 2020
    I concur Meinberg NTP works well. 

    FYI my GPS based setup.

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



  • dlwarnberg
    dlwarnberg Member ✭✭
    edited May 2019
    image
  • Duane  N9DG
    Duane N9DG Member ✭✭
    edited July 2017
    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
    Duane N9DG Member ✭✭
    edited July 2017
    This works very well for machines that are isolated from the Internet. I am currently using this exact configuration myself.
  • Ria
    Ria Member ✭✭✭
    edited July 2017
    Yeah I kinda figured. Would be nice though. This is one reason to consider an external GPSDO
  • philip.theis
    philip.theis Member ✭✭
    edited July 2017
    I believe it's on the list
  • Patrick
    Patrick Member ✭✭✭
    edited June 2020
    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
    NX6D Dave Member ✭✭
    edited July 2017
    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
    NX6D Dave Member ✭✭
    edited December 2019
    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
    Ernest Member ✭✭
    edited January 2020
    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. 

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