Setting Accurate Time in Windows 10
FT8 depends on the clock of your computer more than any other mode you are likely to use. A few seconds of error are enough to lose decodes, so it pays to set the time correctly once and let Windows keep it that way.
Theory
Every computer contains a "Real Time Clock", a clock that keeps running even when the computer is switched off or unplugged. Windows 10 synchronizes this clock with relative accuracy, depending on how the computer is used. In most cases it is accurate to within about one minute, but it can be set to an accuracy of a few milliseconds when needed.
Transmission and reception in FT8 take place in 15-second cycles: we transmit for 15 seconds and then listen for the next 15 seconds. Depending on the region we are in, we transmit in the odd or the even period (this applies to CQ). Here in Greece we use the odd, first period. Although WSJT-X can still make contacts even when the clock is 5-6 seconds fast or slow, it is good to have absolute accuracy.
To check the accuracy of your clock, simply open an online time-checking page such as TIME.is, which shows how far your computer is from the exact time.
Setup
The so-called "teachers" who introduced you to FT8 usually recommend some time synchronization program. These certainly do not work well, because most of them are old technology. They also want to run as Administrator, which is very bad, because in practice such a program could, if it wanted, damage your computer.
The solution is simple and it is built into Windows 10. You can read the instructions of Microsoft and do it yourself, or simply follow my instructions for convenience. You do not need to run any program, because Windows 10 itself will keep your clock in sync.
The settings come as a small zip file with three files that hold the necessary Windows settings. Once you have completed the procedure successfully, simply delete these three files, because they are no longer needed after the settings are applied.
- 1
It is a zip file, so open it and extract the files to the Documents or Downloads folder.
- 2
You may need to repeat the steps below 2-3 times until it succeeds.
- 3
Right-click the .bat file and choose "Run as Administrator". It is a batch file, and if you want you can open it with Notepad to see what it contains.
- 4
Run it as administrator a few times and restart your computer. Check the accuracy on TIME.is. If it is not accurate, repeat the procedure, always as administrator, a few times until the computer is synchronized every time it starts.