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User:PetesGuide/Windows time synchronization software

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Windows time synchronization software
Windows Software Price Time Signals Notes
NMEATime2[1] $20.48
  • GPS sentences
  • GPS sentences plus 1PPS
The PC clock is disciplined to the NMEA string from the GPS with a control loop that uses the same techniques in disciplining OCXO oscillators and atomic Rubidium clocks.
NetTime[2] free
  • SNTP
  • Time Protocol (RFC 868; a.k.a. NETDATE; only accurate to nearest second; TCP/UPD part 37)
Only one I've tested with a clean UX that defaults to NTP Pool addresses.
BktTimeSync by IZ2BKT[3] free
  • GPS
  • NTP
Needs more extensive testing, including with USB GPS.
winacts-32-bit.exe[4] free
  • NIST ACTS dialup
Needs testing with modem on my laptop.
Meinberg NTP[5] free
  • NTP
Better than Windows' built-in NTP client because Windows only updates its clock once a week or so. Meinberg NTP alters the clock rate, as well as initially setting the clock time, so that the clock will stay as close as possible to UTC between corrections. It is supposedly the official Network Time Protocol client software.[6] No graphical UX, and is thus confusing to install, configure, and use.
Use only as backup time sources
ToyNTP[7] free
  • SNTP
  • GPS sentences
  • GPS sentences plus 1PPS
Syncs time to either NTP servers or a local GPS. Designed to work with the Garmin GPS 18x LVC, which provides a 1PPS signal.

NTP portion required UDP port 123 to be open.

F6CTE's CLOCK[8] $40
  • WWV
  • WWVH
  • WWVB
  • CHU
  • GPS
  • Time Protocol (RFC 868; a.k.a. NETDATE; only accurate to nearest second; TCP/UPD part 37)
Supports the widest variety of time signals, including GPS, radio, and Internet, but not the most accurate.

Need to test if this can link to SDRsharp.

ClockWatch Pro for Windows[9] $30
  • NIST ACTS dialup
  • NIST ACTS TCP/IP
  • Daytime Protocol (RFC 867; TCP port 13)
  • Time Protocol (RFC 868; a.k.a. NETDATE)
  • NTP (RFC 1305, RFC 5905)
  • SNTP (RFC 1769,RFC 2030)
  • eBay time
Only Windows software that supports NIST's ACTS modem time service.
nistime-32bit.exe[10] free
  1. ^ "NMEATime2".
  2. ^ "NetTime client".
  3. ^ "BktTimeSync".
  4. ^ "ACTS for Windows".
  5. ^ "Meinberg NTP".
  6. ^ "Time to ditch Dimension 4".
  7. ^ "Afreet Software: ToyNtp 1.2".
  8. ^ "CLOCK".
  9. ^ "ClockWatch Pro for Windows".
  10. ^ "NIST DAYTIME software".