NTP Time - clock synchronization
The module sets the computer clock from an accurate time server on the internet (NTP). By default it uses the server
of the Polish Central Office of Measures (GUM): tempus1.gum.gov.pl. Outside Poland you can choose a server closer to you, e.g. pool.ntp.org.
Why a radio amateur needs it
- FT8, FT4 and other digital modes work only when the clock differs from the real time by about one second at most. With a larger difference nobody decodes you.
- QSO time in the log - confirmations (LoTW, QRZ, eQSL) need matching times on both sides.
- A computer clock can “drift” by a few seconds a day - it is worth correcting it regularly.
The program sends several requests and picks the measurement with the shortest round trip - it is the most accurate one.
How to start it
- RigAndLog, log: menu → Synchronize time with NTP server.
- RigAndLog, configuration: Configure LogBook and program (F11) → the Schedule tab → Run NTP synchronization now.
- By hand: the
SET_NTP_TIME.exefile in the RigAndLog program folder.
Changing the clock requires administrator rights. Windows asks for permission (the “User Account Control” window) - click Yes. Without permission the program only measures the time difference, but does not correct the clock.
The program window
| Element | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Status | The course of the synchronization: server, result, correction, round trip delay, offset. |
| NTP server and Allow Edit | The address of the time server. The field is locked - Allow Edit lets you change it
(e.g. to tempus2.gum.gov.pl or pool.ntp.org). |
| Sync Time Now | Sets the clock now. |
| Hide and sync in background | Hides the window to the tray (next to the clock) and corrects the time every hour - described below. |
| Exit | Closes the program. |
What the result means
The colour of the status field shows how wrong the clock was before the correction:
| Result | Difference | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| OK (green) | less than 0.1 s | The clock was accurate. |
| Warning. Large time offset (yellow) | 0.1-0.5 s | The clock was slightly off - it has been corrected. |
| Error. Time offset too large (red) | more than 0.5 s | The clock was clearly wrong - it has been corrected. If this keeps happening, synchronize more often (background work). |
| Error. Time synchronization failed | - | No answer from the server (internet, firewall) or no permission to change the time. Details in the status field. |
When the difference is more than an hour, the program asks whether to set the clock anyway (it is usually a wrong time zone or date in Windows).
Background work
Hide and sync in background hides the window to the tray next to the Windows clock and:
- corrects the time at once, and then every 60 minutes;
- after an error it tries again every minute (up to 10 times), then goes back to the normal cycle;
- does not show windows - it writes everything in the status field (and in the program log).
The tray icon: left-click shows or hides the window, right-click - the Open / Close menu. In background mode the X button of the window only hides it.
For advanced users - start parameters
The program can be started with parameters (e.g. in the Windows Task Scheduler or in a shortcut in the Startup folder):
| Parameter | Effect |
|---|---|
/AUTO_SYNC | One synchronization without clicking, then the program closes. |
/BACKGROUND | Background work right away (every 60 minutes). |
/AUTO_SYNC_BACKGROUND | Synchronization at once and then in the background. |
/SERVER=address | Another NTP server for this start only, e.g. /SERVER=pool.ntp.org. |
In automatic mode the program does not ask about large corrections - it rejects a difference larger than an hour.
Under Linux (Wine) the log menu does not show this module - there the clock is set by the system (e.g. an NTP/chrony service).