SparkChaser
BURY BECK
Premium
join:2000-06-06
Downingtown, PA | reply to Packeteers
Re: accurate atomic/radio USA clock
I tune my lap top to time.gov and the radio to wwv and they are together within a second. |
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srr2
join:2001-12-20
Bethlehem, PA
 ·RCN CABLE
| reply to Packeteers
This isn't rocket surgery.
First Google a current list of public NTP servers. Choose a few that are geographically close to you. Run a traceroute to them to find fewest hops and lowest ping time. You may have to make a tradeoff with hops and ping time if the route traverses some heavily loaded routers.
Now click on the "Internet Time" tab of the Windows time setting window. "Change Settings" button. Enter the server you picked. Click the Update Now button to prove that the server will update your PC's clock.
Start Regedit. Search for a value called "SpecialPollInterval". It's present in two places. Change them from the default 604800 (dec) to 1800 (dec). This will update your clock every half hour.
Done.
Do NOT go hitting public servers every minute or two. It's very bad manners and it's not necessary. Depending on the stability of the clock in your PC and whether there are any processes running that interfere with the timekeeping interrupt processes, even the 1800 second interval might be unnecessarily short. You can expect absolute errors under 100msec.
If you have several PCs on your local network, you might consider setting up one of them as a master time server and having the others poll it. That would keep the queries to the public server to a minimum. W32Time can do this. Google for instructions on how to set it up. |
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Selenia
join:2006-09-22
Pittsfield, MA
 ·Verizon Online DSL
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to Jahntassa
said by Jahntassa  :If your computer cannot keep time, to the second, for more than a day, you may want to replace it. It may have a problem with the internal RTC that is causing your issues. said by Jahntassa :Instead try to fix the issue you are having. You think your computer clock is not accurate enough. Therefore there may be something wrong with your computer. Perhaps the systems you are trading with do not have the correct time. Contact your broker provider and find out what time source they use for their systems, and see if they provide NTP services. Socketwatch can be set to any provider if you do not like the default NTP pool. Bullox. I've administrated several systems that came down with this issue and while your quote is a remote possibility, it is very highly unlikely. Not one of said systems losing sync had anything to do with the mobo or the time server(a bit more likely). The CMOS battery was to blame in all my cases. I've even had a couple arrive flat. Sorry if I debunked this post a bit strongly, but the OP should check the least expensive and most likely first. |
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Packeteers
Premium
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY
4 edits | reply to Packeteers
Please don't sidetrack this thread into "if PC clocks (alone) are accurate or symptomatic of problems", I already have my own long confirmed opinion on that...
Thanks for the Lacrosse or OregonSci clock idea - but reception is the major problem with them. Maybe if I could find an inexpensive second-display clock I could hook up to an external antenna or my roof RG6U cable, that would be helpful - if anyone knows of one besides that old Heath.
Again, thanks for the SocketWatch idea. when I started this thread I was not aware there were hundreds of public domain time servers out there. I thought there were only the two that came with windows, and if you got timed out from them, you were screwed. srr2 - thanks for letting me know you could get under windows hood and tweek those setting so the few servers you hit can be less likely to time you out.
The ultimate "test" will be Monday when my 100 issue stock streamer actually comes to life seconds after my now synced PC clock reads 09:30:01. My PC Latency is 10ms and my trades go thru within seconds using special Java software (not a browser), so getting every second right is really helpful. I plan on re-syncing hourly - more than that would be piggy.
Sorry for my frustrated attitude - I read a lot of intelligent people here only trying to be helpful. |
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NightVisor
Premium
join:2001-02-28
Rialto, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
1 edit | reply to Packeteers
Solutions I have personally used (and still use)
If you want to sync with the US Atomic clock...
Computer (can be configured to show seconds, free desktop clock programs showing seconds also available): NTP »support.ntp.org/bin/view/Servers···lServers
GPS Device (will show seconds if you go to status screen): TomTom One »www.tomtom.com/products/product.···=0&Lid=4 (time accurately set by GPS satellites)
However, since you daytrade...
Ask your broker (or trading contact), what service they use for time keeping. Then set your clock to what they use instead. As a daytrader, abiding by the clock your broker uses takes precedent over any other method.
(Edited to show seconds information.) |
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Packeteers
Premium
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY
4 edits | NightVisor - you make a good point that the trading clock may be off a few seconds compared to atomic NIST clocks, possibly because the trading clock is linked to clocks tied to international markets worldwide. SocketWatch has "Time Correction Settings" where I can add/subtract a few seconds between the NIST Server time it syncs to over the internet, and what time I display on my PC clock in order to best correlate to the clock my trading systems uses. My observations up till now - point to a ~15 second discrepancy between when the stock market opens/closes and NIST, and between NIST and the clocks I see used during regional TV news programs.
are GPS devices like TomTom any better at getting INDOOR reception than NIST Radio reception clocks? my guess is since such tiny GPS are designed for outdoor use, that the clock may become unreliable if kept indoors (away from windows) all the time. |
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public
join:2002-01-19
Santa Clara, CA
·DSL EXTREME
1 edit | 
example local time server rack |
said by Packeteers :are GPS devices like TomTom any better at getting INDOOR reception than NIST Radio reception clocks? my guess is since such tiny GPS are designed for outdoor use, that the clock may become unreliable if kept indoors (away from windows) all the time. GPS will not work indoor with any reasonable antenna.
Example receiver
»www.spectracomcorp.com/Products/···ult.aspx
example local time server rack
check ebay for older spectracom and similar receivers. |
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public
join:2002-01-19
Santa Clara, CA
·DSL EXTREME
| reply to Packeteers
said by Packeteers :NightVisor - you make a good point that the trading clock may be off a few seconds compared to atomic NIST clocks, possibly because the trading clock is linked to clocks tied to international markets worldwide. Not likely. There are legal requirements for financial transaction services to be NIST traceable. |
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cosmicvoid
Infinity Or Bust
join:2001-01-02
Kingston, WA
2 edits | reply to Packeteers
my custom app runs in system tray |
I wrote a custom piece of software to listen to the GPS NMEA output and monitor the PPS pulse output, and do system time set function calls when the deviation exceeds a selectable amount.
BTW, this app was written for a friend who uses it to ensure accurate time on the PC that does his astronomy telescope aiming. (This was an alternative to him spending $250 to $750 on the Starsync package.) |
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tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
 ·Hollis Hosting
·Verizon Online DSL
·Fairpoint Communic..
| reply to Packeteers
What flavor of Windows do you use? Newer versions synchronize to NTP time servers.
I use Tardis on our LAN server and K9 to synchronize all the PC.
»www.kaska.demon.co.uk/tardis.htm accessing the US.pool.ntp.org pool.
This will be as accurate as round trip time typically a few tens of milliseconds.
»tf.nist.gov/service/its.htm
If you want to sync PC clock to WWV will need to use something like this:
»www.ntp-time-server.com/time-ser···ock.html
»www.atomictimeclock.com/radsynhome.htm
»tf.nist.gov/timefreq/stations/ra···ocks.htm
Of if you want to sync to GPS sats:
»www.atomictimeclock.com/starsync.php
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public
join:2002-01-19
Santa Clara, CA
·DSL EXTREME
| reply to cosmicvoid
said by cosmicvoid :I use GPS to constantly correct my PC clock. Unlike the opinion public gives, my OEM model Garmin 18x-LVC has no problems at all getting a reliable signal indoors. Indoor means multistory commercial building. Single story residence YMMV.
Then again it may be possible to place an weatherproof antenna on the roof. |
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cosmicvoid
Infinity Or Bust
join:2001-01-02
Kingston, WA
| said by public :Then again it may be possible to place an weatherproof antenna on the roof. Yup, there are dome type models, made to mount on a mast. Like the kind you see sticking up above semi-truck cabs.
I conceed an inside room in a hi-rise building may be problematic without an outdoor sensor. |
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cowboyro
join:2000-10-11
Shelton, CT
 ·AT&T U-Verse
·Comcast
 ·Optimum Voice
| reply to Packeteers
NTP time servers for the PC. They will make your computer accurate within fractions of a second. The fact that "windows sycroniztion clocks and clock web sight scrips are off" is pure BS.
The Windows Time service can be set to sync many times per day and skew the clock to compensate for the inherent tolerance.
»support.microsoft.com/kb/223184
Use a list of preferred servers instead of time.windows.com
I suggest using a list of 5-6 servers from »tf.nist.gov/tf-cgi/servers.cgi and also pool.ntp.org (which also points to a list of servers)
Yes it works and it is *very accurate*. I deal with computers for a living... in a trading firm. |
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SmokChsr
Who let the magic smoke out?
Premium
join:2006-03-17
Saint Augustine, FL
| reply to Packeteers
Another Free method to keep your PC time on target is a program called Dimension 4.
»www.thinkman.com/dimension4/
I haven't put it on anything newer than 2K pro. But it will probably work. |
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alphapointe
Premium,MVM
join:2002-02-10
Columbia, MO
clubs: | D4 is what I use on my WXPSP3 boxes. I love it. |
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SmokChsr
Who let the magic smoke out?
Premium
join:2006-03-17
Saint Augustine, FL
| it works that's for sure.. Here's a little clip from the sync history.
2009-11-12 17:29:46.661 -8.350086e-002 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-12 19:59:46.691 -4.763722e-002 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-12 22:29:46.729 -5.428410e-002 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-13 00:59:46.791 -4.697156e-002 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-13 03:29:46.821 -6.259251e-002 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-13 05:59:51.842 -5.637980e-002 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-13 08:29:51.889 -6.160450e-002 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-13 10:59:51.794 -1.726718e-001 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-13 13:29:51.836 -5.099821e-002 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-13 15:59:51.800 -1.135590e-001 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-13 18:29:51.801 -6.049466e-002 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-13 20:59:52.883 -4.253006e-002 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-13 23:29:52.919 -4.172492e-002 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-14 01:59:52.951 -4.517555e-002 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-14 04:29:58.010 -4.964280e-002 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP
2009-11-14 06:59:58.022 -4.969931e-002 ntp2.usno.navy.mil SNTP |
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Packeteers
Premium
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY
4 edits | reply to Packeteers
Thanks for chiming in about D4.
I think I like it a bit better than SW
since when I boot; it will load, wait,
sync, then unload automatically.
This works best for me since I boot
my PC every morning before work.
(I'd rather not run it as a service)
BTW if anyone reading this thread
needs a way to display seconds on
their toolbar clock in Windows XP,
I've been using this for Months, and
it seems to behave itself thus far;
»www.drive-software.com/atomicalarmclock.html
I use the plain "Black-White" skin.
I just wish there was a way to stop
the :colons: from blinking... |
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kruser
Premium
join:2002-06-01
Saint Louis, MO
clubs:
·AT&T Southwest
| reply to ArthurS
said by ArthurS :If you look really hard, and have a deep enough wallet, you may find one of these gems: » www.mikew.org/?p=139You can find them occasionally on eBay, or at your local Hamfest. I have the Heathkit GC-1000 clock. I bought and built it when they first released them.
Mine still works great to this day. I never did buy the RS-232 option but with today's networks I would no longer need it anyhow. I did have to replace the two calibration pots in the GC-1000. Mine would get dirty and then no sync. I finally replaced them both with 15 turn pots and that seems to have solved the problem.
I also power mine from an external 12 volt source as the internal power supply ran very hot so this alone may have extended the life of my clock. You can also kill a lot of the heat by sliding the display switch off but then why have the clock 
Thanks for that link. I'd forgotten what the front panel looks like as mine fell off somehow and was subsequently smashed to pieces and I had to replace it with a piece of smoked plastic. |
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DrStrangeLov
| reply to Packeteers
said by Packeteers :any cheap solution Negative.... »www.ntp-time-server.com/
»www.ntp-time-server.com/time-ser···ver.html |
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