Is this the device you purchased? It looks like it's working well. If the device you purchased is the same as the one I linked to, I'll probably purchase one. I may want to make a radio syncing clock as a Christmas present for a family member.
Do you mind posting your latest code? I'm not going to look at it right away, but once I have my clock working as I'd like, I'd like to compare my program against yours to see what sorts of things we did differently.
Thanks for the update.
That is the one I bought (or at least it looks the same and it comes from UK). Be very careful when soldering the antenna wires; it is easy to get a bad connection.
I have attached the program; I think it is as close as I am going to make it. I ought to take care of DST and leap seconds but probably will never get to it. Because:
I have now done clocks with Propellor cog, GPS, NIST, and crystal-controlled RTC (DS1302 and DS3234). In my opinion, GPS is best because it is self-setting and will work anywhere in the world GPS works. NIST WWVB AM is self-setting, but is limited as to where you can put it and it works pretty much only in North America. I don't know anything about the phase modulated time code.
DS1302 and its cousins with external crystals are inexpensive and keep time over power outages. If, however, you can get better than one second per day accuracy, you are doing well. DS3234 and its cousins with built-in crystals are pricey but keep time over outages and are guaranteed to about one second per week and can be tuned to a few seconds per year. A Prop cog is free if you have an extra, keeps time to a second a day or so, but loses track of time over power outages. You pays your money and you takes your choices. If I ever build another clock for distribution, I'll likely choose a DS3234.
I have now done clocks with Propellor cog, GPS, NIST, and crystal-controlled RTC (DS1302 and DS3234). In my opinion, GPS is best because it is self-setting and will work anywhere in the world GPS works. NIST WWVB AM is self-setting, but is limited as to where you can put it and it works pretty much only in North America. I don't know anything about the phase modulated time code.
.
Me too. I have tried all of the above and a few more and have come to the same conclusion. I have one primary clock (an old nixie tube voltmeter) that has a GPS. It then sends the time via local rf to all my other projects (off grid power system, watering system, bedroom clock etc). The gps always locks on quickly. The master clock also has a DS3231 in case the GPS has an issue. Only downside is that I have too keep a spare master clock handy. Each slave device has it's own RTC so they can go on if the master is down. It's never happened in oer ten years of using the system but ya never know.
Me too. I have tried all of the above and blah blah blah
Who asked you?
Your lousy two-cents have nothing to do with this subject (see Original Post).
This is another example of the jackassery that goes on around here that really burns my butt!
Thank you, Jonathan, for sharing your "comment" and taking this subject off topic - and thereby to an END.
Me too. I have tried all of the above and a few more and have come to the same conclusion. I have one primary clock (an old nixie tube voltmeter) that has a GPS. It then sends the time via local rf to all my other projects (off grid power system, watering system, bedroom clock etc). The gps always locks on quickly. The master clock also has a DS3231 in case the GPS has an issue. Only downside is that I have too keep a spare master clock handy. Each slave device has it's own RTC so they can go on if the master is down. It's never happened in oer ten years of using the system but ya never know.
Jonathan
Now you have gone and upset PJ, and I can't blame him. He had specified what NOT to post.
See original post
If you're about GPS or something or anything else then take those concerns or objections someplaceelse. The same goes for any "accuracy" rumbles, "what is time" theorizing, etc.
Please stay on topic. It is about NIST WWVB WWV WWVH & Propeller
P.J. get's a bit grumpy sometimes but I hope that is not the end of this thread.
I recently got some tiny little DCF77 receivers which are a very similar device all be it for a different frquency and protocol. I'm also on the edge of the reception area for DCF77 so any so any good ideas that come up here may be applicable to this situation.
Not sure if it is mentioned here but these things like a noise free power supply. So a little power supply filtering is called for. Perhaps just a 1K resistor in series and capacitor to ground. I presume that is not needed if using batteries.
My bad, being OT. However, the only jackassery is from you. I was OT, you were downright rude and unpleasent. I know which I'd rather be guilty of. Try being a little more tolerant.
And, of course, this subject wouldn't be complete as yet another subject taken off-topic without another asinine contribution from Parallax's star VIP, Heater.
I honestly thought there might be some common problems to overcome and tricks that can be learned between trying to use a radio time signal module in the states and as similar radio time signal module in Europe. Especially with regard using them in areas of poor reception. Despite their differing frequencies and protocols. I may well be wrong, how would I know in advance?
So I show some genuine interest in what you are doing here and try to encourage you not to just end the thread as you threatened.
What do I get? Abuse.
I cannot fathom why I Earth you feel the need to do that.
So I show some genuine interest in what you are doing here and try to encourage you not to just end the thread as you threatened.
What do I get? Abuse.
I cannot fathom why I Earth you feel the need to do that.
Get off it. You are not a victim - and neither is Jonathan.
Maybe you suffer from a mental disorder or a nutritional imbalance, but you have it all backward - as usual.
Your good friend, Jonathan, took this subject off-topic and he did so defiantly, intentionally and he is proud of it. And then you saw fit to get involved, leading with your usual cheap-shot. Why on Earth would I object to that, right?
A similar subject was started not more than a week previous to this and it was driven off-topic, right out of the chutes, by a certain self-appointed know-it-all who is an agent of disruption of the first order.
Obviously, given two different attempts, this subject is absolutely beyond discussion without off-topic disruption or hijacking. That much is beyond reasonable denial.
I didn't "threaten" to end anything - Jonathan ended it.
(I just can't seem to get it Closed. I think that because I want it Closed, the Moderators refuse to comply.)
Hosanna, another Subject... stuffed.
Mission Accomplished, Jonathan!
Three cheers for Jonathan, boys! (Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah)
So, Heater., there's nothing to stop you from starting a subject on your kit - and then some stupidiot can screw that in the boot, too.
I feel it would be an injustice to Duane and Tom to lock the thread at this time. I'm sure they will be supplying valuable information as the progress with their projects. We would also like to see how PJ makes out with his newly acquired parts.
I will be monitoring and will be deleting posts that are OT and inflammatory from this post on.
There is a NIST decoder in the object exchange at: http://obex.parallax.com/object/809.
It does depend on an external receiver to provide the time pulses from the WWVB radio station.
FWIW, I ordered a receiver from pvelectronics a few days after PJ started this thread. I wrote a simple decoder for the P1 and then carried it around the house to get an idea of the level of interference it could tolerate. I found it had to be 3' or more feet away from any TV, laptop, or tablet for decent reception. But when properly located it was very dependable, day and night. Still, it makes sense to maintain time on the Prop and use the WWVB receiver only for synchronization or discipline.
I have not had much problem with interference from nearby electronics. In fact I originally had the decoder running on the development bread-board along with a 170 volt DC supply and a set of 6-nixie tubes being multiplexed by a cog and displaying the time and date. I was concerned that the noise from the high voltage multiplexing would be a show stopper but it wasn't enough to affect it.
What I did notice after several days of operation was that it certainly works better at night due to the dissipation of the D-layer of the ionosphere. Daytime reception is usually nil. Also when it was windy outside there was a lot of static noise. Also, of course, stormy weather static. On many a calm night I get 100% copy for hours on end.
Comments
That is the one I bought (or at least it looks the same and it comes from UK). Be very careful when soldering the antenna wires; it is easy to get a bad connection.
I have attached the program; I think it is as close as I am going to make it. I ought to take care of DST and leap seconds but probably will never get to it. Because:
I have now done clocks with Propellor cog, GPS, NIST, and crystal-controlled RTC (DS1302 and DS3234). In my opinion, GPS is best because it is self-setting and will work anywhere in the world GPS works. NIST WWVB AM is self-setting, but is limited as to where you can put it and it works pretty much only in North America. I don't know anything about the phase modulated time code.
DS1302 and its cousins with external crystals are inexpensive and keep time over power outages. If, however, you can get better than one second per day accuracy, you are doing well. DS3234 and its cousins with built-in crystals are pricey but keep time over outages and are guaranteed to about one second per week and can be tuned to a few seconds per year. A Prop cog is free if you have an extra, keeps time to a second a day or so, but loses track of time over power outages. You pays your money and you takes your choices. If I ever build another clock for distribution, I'll likely choose a DS3234.
Planning to do some experiencing Sat./Sun.
Me too. I have tried all of the above and a few more and have come to the same conclusion. I have one primary clock (an old nixie tube voltmeter) that has a GPS. It then sends the time via local rf to all my other projects (off grid power system, watering system, bedroom clock etc). The gps always locks on quickly. The master clock also has a DS3231 in case the GPS has an issue. Only downside is that I have too keep a spare master clock handy. Each slave device has it's own RTC so they can go on if the master is down. It's never happened in oer ten years of using the system but ya never know.
Jonathan
Who asked you?
Your lousy two-cents have nothing to do with this subject (see Original Post).
This is another example of the jackassery that goes on around here that really burns my butt!
Thank you, Jonathan, for sharing your "comment" and taking this subject off topic - and thereby to an END.
Now you have gone and upset PJ, and I can't blame him. He had specified what NOT to post.
See original post
Please stay on topic. It is about NIST WWVB WWV WWVH & Propeller
I recently got some tiny little DCF77 receivers which are a very similar device all be it for a different frquency and protocol. I'm also on the edge of the reception area for DCF77 so any so any good ideas that come up here may be applicable to this situation.
Not sure if it is mentioned here but these things like a noise free power supply. So a little power supply filtering is called for. Perhaps just a 1K resistor in series and capacitor to ground. I presume that is not needed if using batteries.
I guess I'm the one who went off topic with my musings about GPS, DS32xx, and so on. I apologize and promise not to do it again.
My bad, being OT. However, the only jackassery is from you. I was OT, you were downright rude and unpleasent. I know which I'd rather be guilty of. Try being a little more tolerant.
Jonathan
You contributed code and stuck to the subject, that you related your musings as an adjunct isn't a problem.
This is the second time, the second time this month, that a Subject on this very matter has been monkey-wrenched.
I ask that the Moderator/s lock the Subject .
I honestly thought there might be some common problems to overcome and tricks that can be learned between trying to use a radio time signal module in the states and as similar radio time signal module in Europe. Especially with regard using them in areas of poor reception. Despite their differing frequencies and protocols. I may well be wrong, how would I know in advance?
So I show some genuine interest in what you are doing here and try to encourage you not to just end the thread as you threatened.
What do I get? Abuse.
I cannot fathom why I Earth you feel the need to do that.
Get off it. You are not a victim - and neither is Jonathan.
Maybe you suffer from a mental disorder or a nutritional imbalance, but you have it all backward - as usual.
Your good friend, Jonathan, took this subject off-topic and he did so defiantly, intentionally and he is proud of it. And then you saw fit to get involved, leading with your usual cheap-shot. Why on Earth would I object to that, right?
A similar subject was started not more than a week previous to this and it was driven off-topic, right out of the chutes, by a certain self-appointed know-it-all who is an agent of disruption of the first order.
Obviously, given two different attempts, this subject is absolutely beyond discussion without off-topic disruption or hijacking. That much is beyond reasonable denial.
I didn't "threaten" to end anything - Jonathan ended it.
(I just can't seem to get it Closed. I think that because I want it Closed, the Moderators refuse to comply.)
Hosanna, another Subject... stuffed.
Mission Accomplished, Jonathan!
Three cheers for Jonathan, boys! (Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah)
So, Heater., there's nothing to stop you from starting a subject on your kit - and then some stupidiot can screw that in the boot, too.
I will be monitoring and will be deleting posts that are OT and inflammatory from this post on.
It does depend on an external receiver to provide the time pulses from the WWVB radio station.
Video screen captures of the demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ETOKIrwbhDU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xOaToQSoQJU
--Steve
What I did notice after several days of operation was that it certainly works better at night due to the dissipation of the D-layer of the ionosphere. Daytime reception is usually nil. Also when it was windy outside there was a lot of static noise. Also, of course, stormy weather static. On many a calm night I get 100% copy for hours on end.
I feel younger already!
[/list]A Tweet I got from one of our more popular Astro-Physicists