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Author Topic: Arcom RC210 G.P.S.CLOCK (Reliable solution)  (Read 155 times)

G7FBD

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Arcom RC210 G.P.S.CLOCK (Reliable solution)
« on: September 15, 2020, 07:50:33 AM »

Hi All,
a few years ago out of frustration at the poor time keeping of the RC210 I developed a GPS clock solution for GB3BS the UK repeater. from then till now the clock has gone through a number of changes, both in hardware and software.  This year I launched the MK4 G.P.S.CLOCK  this has been taken up by a number of repeater groups here in the UK and State side.
If your interested in improving the time keeping of your RC210 please go checkout https://www.technoloya.co.uk  or take a look around www.gb3bs.com

Thanks for reading this post.   

Regards

Mat
G7FBD/KG7FBD
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G7FBD

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Re: Arcom RC210 G.P.S.CLOCK (Reliable solution)
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2020, 05:36:29 AM »

For anyone interested in improving their clock with no need to bump...  here is a few pictures of the G.P.S.CLOCK







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G7FBD

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Re: Arcom RC210 G.P.S.CLOCK (Reliable solution)
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2020, 05:39:59 AM »

Just a quick follow up to say thanks to the repeater keepers that have purchased the G.P.S.CLOCK and to advise stocks are now low. Check out  https://www.technoloya.co.uk to learn how to keep your RC210 repeater time from wandering.
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KB8VUL

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Re: Arcom RC210 G.P.S.CLOCK (Reliable solution)
« Reply #3 on: October 12, 2020, 03:55:11 PM »

OK, so fill me in here.  Are you using the GPS for a frequency reference for the repeater or a time standard for the announced time on the controller?
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G7FBD

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Re: Arcom RC210 G.P.S.CLOCK (Reliable solution)
« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2020, 09:11:10 AM »

Hi, Currently it is a time reference for the RC210 to fix the time drift the controller suffers from.  Thus making the scheduler reliable.

I am working on a Frequency reference and if there is a call for it I could look at perhaps integrating that into this clock.

Hope this helps. 
Mat - G7FBD/KG7FBD
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KB8VUL

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Re: Arcom RC210 G.P.S.CLOCK (Reliable solution)
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2020, 09:11:51 AM »

OK, I just wasn't sure.  I work on simulcast systems a good bit (multiple transmitters on a single frequency working in unison for coverage)
That sort of system requires the frequencies to be exact, hence a 5/10Mhz reference for the transmitters. and a 1PPS (pulse per second) signal to the channel banks to control audio launch to be equal and delayed in most cases to account for jitter and network transport delays.  All that is spit out of a pretty substantial GPS unit.  THe ones Motorola uses actually have two receivers, two internal standards (one of which is rubidium).  I am thinking that trying to build a standard might be difficult as the GPS actually bumps the standard peak times into synchronization and the internal reference is actually the corrected source.  But for a single repeater that is not exhibiting drift issues, I really don't know that you would gain anything other than bragging rights.
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G7FBD

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Re: Arcom RC210 G.P.S.CLOCK (Reliable solution)
« Reply #6 on: October 23, 2020, 04:24:20 AM »

As stated at the start,  this was to "Fix" the RC210 time drift, even with the RTC module we were seeing both time loss and time gain on our controllers (we have 3). So the G.P.S.CLOCK was conceived.

At the time of design our local repeater already had a Hi-Stab Osc so it was not a design requirement.
However as I think I said I have been working on a OCXO which is GPS driven.  if there was a need to bring both projects together then it would not be impossible - But no-one has expressed interest in this.

Thanks for the conversation it sounds very interesting.

Mat G7FBD/KG7FBD
technoloya.co.uk
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KA5IPF

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Re: Arcom RC210 G.P.S.CLOCK (Reliable solution)
« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2020, 08:36:55 AM »

Why have a nice display of the time at a repeater site that no-one sees unless at the site??? Just curious as no display would surely lower the cost.
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G7FBD

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Re: Arcom RC210 G.P.S.CLOCK (Reliable solution)
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2020, 12:33:59 PM »

Fair question.
So - how does one program up the clock with its time zone, what area its located so you can set DLS times, if its state/UK format etc.   Also it was on the original (MK1) design specifications by the repeater group that wanted it.

Of course if its on site - does it then become Schrödinger's cat ? ;)


Mat
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KA5IPF

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Re: Arcom RC210 G.P.S.CLOCK (Reliable solution)
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2020, 05:02:11 PM »

Since you have to have a computer hooked up to program it instead of routing the info to the display send it back to the computer.
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