GPS Time Sync

OVERVIEW

GPS Time Sync is a totall free, professional Windows utility that uses an inexpensive VK-172 USB GPS dongle to synchronize your PC’s system clock directly from GPS satellite signals. Ideal for network-isolated or air-gapped environments, it ensures applications (scheduling systems, Amateur Radio controllers, logging software) always have the correct time.  The GPS Dongle is readily available from Amazon and other vendors singly or in pairs.  An example is shown below.

​

KEY FEATURES

​

• GPS-BASED TIME SOURCE - Reads NMEA time data from any COM port (COM1–COMn) and applies it to Windows. It determines the COM port automatically.

• DRIFT THRESHOLD CONTROL - Set a minimum drift (1–99 seconds) before synchronization occurs, minimizing unnecessary adjustments. 1-2 seconds

is recommended.

• CUSTOM SYNC INTERVAL - Choose an update interval between 10 and 90 seconds to suit your needs.  60 seconds is recommended.

• UTC & LOCAL MODE - Either maintain Coordinated Universal Time or convert GPS UTC to your local time zone automatically.

• TRAY-MINIMIZED OPERATION - Runs silently in the system tray; single-click restores the settings panel.

• SELF-MAINTAINING LOG - Records every sync event and auto-trims older entries to prevent the log becoming over-sized.

• INI-BASED CONFIGURATION - All settings (COM port, interval, drift, time mode, logging) are stored in a simple .INI file alongside the executable.

• START - Launch manually via a “Run as Administrator” shortcut—It must be using  started admin privileges to be able to synchronize the Windows time.
Settings must be saved on the first run of the app to create the file, then are automatic from then on.

• PLUG-AND-PLAY GPS SUPPORT - 
Automatically detects your VK-172 dongle on your system and reads the port it is on, from COM1 to COMn.  The application will then open it and start the GPS.  No user intervention is needed except to start the program.  The program has the option of saving the settings or using the port number and default settings but will always start without having saved the settings.  However, it is recommended to save the settings. Again, admin privileges are required to start the program.