WSPR....

[KD8TUT]

So I've got an extra Flex 5000 and a couple of antennas which I'm dedicating to WSPR simply so I have see propagation on a couple of bands I'm interested in.

Anyone else in the network? Have you learned anything?

I did a beta test of it on my main rig (Apache Labs 100D) at 5 watts and have been running for 4 days. It's been interesting watching 40 meters go short and go long. Pretty predictable once you get familiar with the changes.

One thing I noticed since my radios are using a Bodnar GPSDO for 10 Mhz reference: is the amount of drift I'm seeing on other stations. It really is noticeable... I've seen up to 5hz drifts up or down... usually only in one direction- which is problematic for this protocol.

A question:

For you guys running WSPR- are you using a third party software to increase the polling frequency of NTP servers? The default windows setting sets the clock once a week- which puts the computer in too low a stratum for WSPR accuracy.

[KJ3N]

https://www.meinbergglobal.com/english/sw/ntp.htm <-- this is what I use.

http://www.thinkman.com/dimension4/

[KC2UGV]

Just by default, I use a GPS clock reference on my machines... I run a stratum 0 at home, and everything syncs to it whenever nagios tells me it's more than 3 ms off.

[WX7P]

My computer goes 'ding' when I push the wrong button...

[N8YX]

Just by default, I use a GPS clock reference on my machines... I run a stratum 0 at home, and everything syncs to it whenever nagios tells me it's more than 3 ms off.

Going to derail this thread momentarily and talk about time bases...

I have one of these:

14856

And one of these:

14857

(Which needs to be modified to work with WWVB's new BPSK signal)

And they'll interface with this:

14858

One of my RTM-506 rack-mount power modules will be used to house the time base, receiver, comparator and a DC-510 frequency counter...possibly an 8212 strip chart recorder if I can find one (this for long-term drift variance observations).

The Efratom unit is extremely accurate - like, down to the milliHertz. The Spectracom equipment will be used to phase-sync it to WWVB and I'll plumb the shack with a coax feed to the equipment which accommodates an external timebase input.

Back to WSPR discussions...might put something up one of these days and join the fun.

[WØTKX]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K-nzf9prHEE/U-MSSDY4_JI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/HNr4lBY7HTU/w463-h180/All_your_base_are_belong_to_us_by_Sky_roxorz_815.p ng

[KD8TUT]

Just by default, I use a GPS clock reference on my machines... I run a stratum 0 at home, and everything syncs to it whenever nagios tells me it's more than 3 ms off.

I'd have no problem deploying this- though it's down the list of projects I have to get finished before winter sets in. Ran a NTP server a few years ago when I had a couple of t1's coming into the house.

For right now I'm finishing a second operating position, finishing my 80 meter windom, and getting my VHF/UHF amps back online. Along with keeping my wife happy.

Maybe during the winter I'll throw up a server for internal "stuff" which could include an NTP system. I've got the computers :)

[KD8TUT]

I think someone needs to look into the health of their radio....

14859

[KD8TUT]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K-nzf9prHEE/U-MSSDY4_JI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/HNr4lBY7HTU/w463-h180/All_your_base_are_belong_to_us_by_Sky_roxorz_815.p ng

All your base are belong to us.

[KD8TUT]

https://www.meinbergglobal.com/english/sw/ntp.htm <-- this is what I use.

http://www.thinkman.com/dimension4/

Thank you!

I went with the Dimension software since it will be "accurate enough" to get me going. And somehow it seems familiar... Hmm...

[KC2UGV]

I'd have no problem deploying this- though it's down the list of projects I have to get finished before winter sets in. Ran a NTP server a few years ago when I had a couple of t1's coming into the house.

For right now I'm finishing a second operating position, finishing my 80 meter windom, and getting my VHF/UHF amps back online. Along with keeping my wife happy.

Maybe during the winter I'll throw up a server for internal "stuff" which could include an NTP system. I've got the computers :)

It's actually pretty easy to do, and lots of how-tos on the interwebs on setting up a GPS clock-referenced NTP server. However, Dave's solution is far more sexy :P I wan a rubidium time source now :)

[KC2UGV]

All your base are belong to us.

What you say?

TAKE OFF EVERY ZIG!

[KD8TUT]

What you say?

TAKE OFF EVERY ZIG!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVx3XNHCmN8

[KG4NEL]

Just by default, I use a GPS clock reference on my machines... I run a stratum 0 at home, and everything syncs to it whenever nagios tells me it's more than 3 ms off.

Man, and I have a mechanical watch... :mrgreen:

[WØTKX]

That old skool meme still has legs, man. :rofl:

[NQ6U]

That old skool meme still has legs, man. :rofl:

Yeah. You'll be the only one who knows what time it is after the first wave of nukes goes off and the EMP fries all the electronic timekeepers.

[KD8TUT]

Yeah. You'll be the only one who knows what time it is after the first wave of nukes goes off and the EMP fries all the electronic timekeepers.

Wait... I can actually build a functioning sundial. So that's two.

But consider this... after the "extinction event", when there is not even the possibility of pizza, who really cares what time it is?

[KD8TUT]

Alright- I have conquered WSPR. Nice.

Now making the jump to JT65.

[WØTKX]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_esr6Vh148

[NQ6U]

But consider this... after the "extinction event", when there is not even the possibility of pizza, who really cares what time it is?

Without pizza, there is no life.

[KC2UGV]

Without pizza, there is no life.

I can live without pizza. No coffee? Fuck that.

[KD8TUT]

I can live without pizza. No coffee? Fuck that.

Coffee, pizza, and beer. Essential survival foods.

[WZ7U]

I'm really partial to fresh tomatoes, and coffee very important as well. I usually don't give a damn what time it is, which has it's own set of problems. I'm probably out of luck in an extinction event.

Digital modes are on my winter rains to-do list this year. At least the ones on a budget

[KD8TUT]

I'm really partial to fresh tomatoes, and coffee very important as well. I usually don't give a damn what time it is, which has it's own set of problems. I'm probably out of luck in an extinction event.

Digital modes are on my winter rains to-do list this year. At least the ones on a budget

You'll probably enjoy them. There are times when I want to do radio- but do not want to talk (verbally). In those situations digital modes seem to scratch that itch.

[HUGH]

WSPR seems to be fine with a PC locked to internet time signals, it's things like Ebnaut I think which require more esoteric control.

[X-Rated]

For frequency accuracy, I use a simple double oven crystal oscillator. These will usually show drift in about 1x10-10 per day so they would be off a third of a Hz after one year of drift. Here is one on ebay. LINK (http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Precision-10MHz-sinewave-OCXO-frequency-standard-by-Trimble-12V-/170924356081?hash=item27cbe2b1f1:g:6TgAAOxy4c5Rv8J h)

A. They are relatively cheap compared to other options. Use a beat method to get close to WWV.
B. Short term, GPS receivers do a lot of popping around when trying to correct for propagation changes and dithering offsets.
C. I used to design OCXO's so I am partial to OCXO's.

The best option out there would be a CDMA frequency reference where they strip the frequency information from the local CDMA tower and use that for the reference, but those are very expensive.

I'm just throwing another option out there. You don't have to spend a lot of money for a good reference that doesn't pop around. I am on the FMT Yahoo group and those guys are always chasing their tails with the GPS dithering.

[WØTKX]

You are the Crystalline Entity... ;)

http://media.moddb.com/images/mods/1/23/22671/Crystalline_Entity.png

[W3WN]

Without pizza, there is no life.I'd like a pizza to go. With no anchovies.

[KD8TUT]

I'd like a pizza to go. With no anchovies.

I'd like a pizza to go with no nuclear detonations.

Which was a dream I had a couple of nights ago- standing in line for pizza with my ex wife. Then a nuclear detonation across the lake in Chicago (could see it). Then the concussion wave. Then a lake sized tsunami.

I came out of it ok on the second floor behind plate glass... but the ex was dead and there was no pizza.

Glad I was alive. Felt bad about the ex. I blame this thread.

[KG4CGC]

I'd like a pizza to go. With no anchovies.

I made a tuna sandwich with garlic and anchovies.

[NQ6U]

I'd like a pizza to go. With no anchovies.

No anchovies?? You've got the wrong man…

[kb2vxa]

Fry, Mother and the last anchovy. I am Bender, please insert liquor.

"The default windows setting sets the clock once a week- which puts the computer in too low a stratum for WSPR accuracy."
I disabled Windblows Time and created a script in Administrative Tools/Task Scheduler to run NISTime at startup that synchronizes the clock as often as once an hour. http://tf.nist.gov/service/pdf/nts.pdf

[KG4CGC]

I can live without pizza. No coffee? Fuck that.

Mushrooms. Can you live without edible fungus in mass quantities placed upon a glutenous disc with some accompanying accoutrements?

[WZ7U]

Aww, forgot about the 'shrooms.......

[WØTKX]

Mushrooms, black olives, and elk sausage.