GPS Time
GPSTime is a small freeware applet that corrects your PC clock using GPS.
If you have a GPS receiver with a serial output port or bluetooth giving NMEA-0183 compatible data, then GPSTime will read the serial data and make your PC clock accurate to the second.
Cost / License
- Free
- Proprietary
Platforms
- Windows
GPS Time News & Activities
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GPS Time information
Licensing
Proprietary and Free product.Alternatives
1 alternatives listedSupported Languages
- English
What is GPS Time?
f your GPS receiver has a serial or bluetooth port on it, then most probably it will be able to send NMEA-0183 data. You may need to configure the receiver to do this and some receivers need to be told to send the "$GPRMC sentence" which GPSTime uses. A quick check of the manual for your GPS receiver will confirm whether you need to do anything special to make it work. Some GPS receivers are able to output RS-232C compatible serial data while some others need a special cable or interface to connect to your PC. Your user manual will tell you.
How does it work?
GPSTime reads the serial data coming out of your GPS receiver and decodes the $GPRMC messages to determine the precise UTC time. The time is then used to adjust the clock inside your PC. The Config menu dialog allows you to choose whether to make the clock correction once only, or whether to leave GPSTime running and to update the time every minute.
What do I need?
A PC running Windows Vista/7/8/10 with a spare or virtual serial port, and a GPS receiver capable of giving suitable serial data ($GPRMC) with a matching connecting cable, interface or bluetooth connection.
How do I hook it up?
Consult the manual of your GPS receiver to find out how to connect it to a spare serial port on your PC. Do not attempt to connect them except in accordance with the instructions of the receiver manufacturer. Download and run GPSTime and click on the Config menu option. Select the serial port number (COM 1, COM 2, etc) and decide whether you want your PC updated every minute or only once whenever you run the program.
Once you have configured GPStime, you can start it with the "Start" button. You can also make it start automatically by including "/auto" in the command line.
What is it for?
GPSTime was devised as an accessory to BeaconSee which monitors radio propagation in real-time, and which needs an accurate clock. It is a useful accessory to any application that uses or logs time in a precise way.
Downloading and installation
You can download GPSTime freely! When you have downloaded the file, click on it and it will install to the apprpriate directory.