CQWW and PC Clock Changeover

[K3AN]

My shack PC, an older Thinkpad laptop, does not currently have access to the Internet. I used it for the CQWW phone contest this past weekend (first time), setting the internal clock to UTC before starting. That put it 4 hours ahead of EDT. I happened to notice today (Monday) that the clock display shows just 3 hours ahead. Uh-oh, did the computer put the wrong time stamp for all of Sunday's QSOs? Remember, this used to be the weekend for changing from Daylight to Standard time, and my computer obviously didn't get the word.

I created the log file and scrolled down through it. Sure enough, it shows a QSO Saturday evening (early Sunday morning UTC) at 0159 and the next QSO in the log has 0100 as the time. The computer set its clock back at 2 AM!

I homebrew my logging software, so I will be able to write a batch file to fix the timestamp. But I was wondering how the widely-used contesting programs handled this. Especially since up to last year, this weekend was when the Daylight to Standard changeover took place.

[AA8LL]

I use Writelog and it was handled just fine.  I think the logging programs expect the computer's clock to be set correctly.  It looks like Windows XP with automatic updates did not drop the ball on the odd time change.  Just think how much daylight we will save this year!  How long will the saved daylight keep if I don't use it right away.  Sorry, I digress...

73,
Wade

[KB3HJK]

The same thing happened to me. I finally finished editing my cabrillo file to reflect reality.

We both got screwed due to the operating system. If you are using an OS below Windows XP, you need to apply the tzedit.exe fix from Microsoft. It sets the OS to do the time change next weekend, not last Sunday. I knew about this last year and never applied the patch to my own system, even though we did it to hundreds at work!

Kevin

[K3AN]

With the time change coming up this weekend, CW Sweepstakes logs could also be affected.

I just went to the Control Panel, Date and Time, and found a check box that says "Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes." I unchecked it, so now my PC should stay on UTC year round.

[KB3LIX]

I also keep my laptop set to UTC just for my logging program and to have a reference to determine what the time is in other parts of the world.

What I do not do, is check the little box that says "Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes"

That way, it is under my control all the time, and UTC never changes anyway, even if WE do in the USA.

[K0IZ]

I had the same problem with Windows 2000.  What a shock.  Used notepad to fix up the log file.  Nice to know about the patch.

[WA7NCL]

Microsofts TZedit fix is brain surgery.  Try the tools for daylight fix on this web page.  They are a no brainer.

http://www.intelliadmin.com/Downloads.htm