[CQ-Contest] Don't repeat my STUPID mistake!

[Jeff Maass]

PCs keep lousy time, and I finally got fed up.

Now I use a program that keeps my PC clock synchronized to the
proper time via SNTP on the internet. Since I have a cable modem,
I have it configured to check and correct the time every 15 minutes.
It can be configured to correct the time when you first connect
to the 'net, or in many other combinations (or, on request).

The one I use is called "Dimension 4" and is freeware, available
from http://www.accessone.com/~thinkman/index.htm.

You can also find it via c/net downloads at:
http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10106-100-4407346.html

(As an aside, having the correct time on your computer is important.
I sat in a big DX pileup on 10 mters at the end of the ARRL SSB DX
Contest this year, attempting to work a new multiplier with my low-
powered station. With five minutes remaining in the contest, the DX
station announced that the contest period was over, and refused to
work anyone else! I kept trying to convince him that there was time
remaining, but his computer clock told him that the contest had ended,
and he would not be moved!)

73,
 Jeff Maass       jmaass at columbus.rr.com     Located near Columbus Ohio
         USPSA # L-1192       NROI/CRO    Amateur Radio K8ND
    Maass' IPSC Resources Page:  http://home.columbus.rr.com/jmaass
Circleville USPSA/IPSC: http://home.columbus.rr.com/jmaass/pcsiipsc.htm

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-cq-contest at contesting.com
> [mailto:owner-cq-contest at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Doug Smith W9WI
> Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 11:55 PM
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Don't repeat my STUPID mistake!
>
>
>
> Well, I'd say I'd learned my lesson, but I've done something similar (but
> not quite as stupid) before...
>
> DON'T FORGET TO SET YOUR COMPUTER'S CLOCK BEFORE THE CONTEST!
>
> Checked my eQSL mailbox this morning, and noticed a handful of
> "cards" from
> last weekend's WPX contest.  Checked the first one against my log - he was
> in there, but the time was a bit over an hour off.  I guess the
> guy got the
> local<=>UTC conversion wrong.  No big deal.  Check the next card - he's in
> there too - and *his* time is a bit over an hour off.  Uh, this
> doesn't look
> good.
>
> Sure enough, it was *me* who got the local<=>UTC conversion wrong - the
> computer clock was an hour fast compared to WWV.  I stopped operating an
> hour early because I wrongly thought the contest was over....
> --
> Doug Smith W9WI
> Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66
> http://www.w9wi.com
>
>
>
> --
> CQ-Contest on WWW:        http://lists.contesting.com/_cq-contest/
> Administrative requests:  cq-contest-REQUEST at contesting.com
>
>


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