You will find that most handheld GPS receivers sold for casual use have a displayed time error that varies from 0 to 4 seconds. The receiver software was designed with an emphasis on computing position and performing other tasks, such as routing, more than on displaying time. Hence the presentation of time is some times delayed. If time is of higher importance, then a specialized GPS timing receiver is needed. Look for one that outputs a 1PPS (one pulse per second) signal and comes with timing software.
John WA4WDL
-------------------------------------------------- From: "George and Cheryl Abbott" ka1ajf@cox.net Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 11:57 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org; "Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL" vlfiscus@mcn.net Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GPS Time observation
I'm not sure about GPS,but I have noticed that the clock on our cable box is off by up to 4 seconds at times.Customer service was not aware or concerned when I let them know.
-----Original Message----- From: Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 10:28 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] GPS Time observation
I have an old GPS unit, a Magellan explorist 210. It's fairly accurate determining position. After it has acquired about eight to ten satellites the position error averages between 20 to 35 feet. Now the question, the other day I was looking at one of the information pages the unit can display and on it, it gives the time in UTC. Just for fun I thought I would see how close the time was to WWV. I was surprised to see the unit was between one to four seconds off over various tests compared to WWV. IS this typical of all GPS units or do some display the time of day more accurately?
KB7ADL
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb