Answer: With the wide range of clients available over multiple platforms, TCR-NTP server has not been tested with all available clients on the Internet. Some clients that TCR-NTP server has been tested are:
Windows XP/2003 Server/VISTA:
*Using W32Time requires that the default settings be changed from Symmetric Active mode to Client mode. Please see the Windows Knowledgebase article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875424 or refer to the following FAQ. While this article is written for Windows 2003 Server, it is also relavent to Windows XP PRO and Windows XP Home Editions and Windows VISTA.
Windows 2000:
Windows NT 4.0:
Windows NT 3.51:
Windows 95 / 98 / ME:
Windows for Workgroups:
DOS:
Unix/Linux:
Netware:
Answer: Wait a little longer, after being physically moved to a new location the GPS-200A can take 30-40 minutes to lock to satellite. Although, typically, a lock is obtained in a few minutes, the unit can sometimes enter a "search the sky" mode on powerup causing much longer times to first fix. This internal process is necessary to ensure that the time code generated is within the tight accuracy range indicated in the specifications. Atmospheric conditions can have a great effect on the time it takes the unit to lock, these conditions combined with optional long cables available from Masterclock® Inc. can greatly increase the time it takes to get a lock. Crushed and/or sharply bent antenna cables or antennas shaded by buildings and/or other objects can also increase the time to lock or even prevent the GPS-200A from working. Each GPS-200A is fully tested at the factory with the same antenna and cable it is shipped with, failures are extremely rare! Please observe these precautions before deeming your GPS-200A defective!
Answer: [see above] Proper antenna placement and cable installation is critical, especially when using the, optional, long cable lengths.
Answer: No! The GPS-200A is designed to work with Belden 8219 or equivalent Low Loss cable. Using other cables or splicing more cable in line with the original will seriously hamper performance or prevent a GPS lock altogether. Longer lengths of low loss cable are available upon special order from Masterclock® Inc.
Answer: The unit was probably reset by a power outage or fluctuation. Although the unit should re-lock on its own, the GPS-200 may need to be powered down and plugged in again to recover under certain conditions such as brownouts or fluctuations. It is highly recommended that the GPS-200 be connected through an Uninterruptible Power Supply for the best reliability.
Answer: In critical operations
we recommend the purchase of a spare system to ensure a source of time
in the unlikely event that your GPS-200 fails. Masterclock® Inc. does
not cross ship or provide "loaner" equipment. For operations
requiring the ultimate reliability, Masterclock® Inc. can provide an intelligent and automatic time code switcher (the
TCS-100) that can instantly switch between two GPS-200A's or to a stand
alone TCO-100 Precision Oscillator, should one fail.
Automatic Switchover Connection Diagram
Answer: This depends on the individual situation but generally, the GPS200 should be set to output UTC (default settings) Outputting UTC gives the greatest flexibility when connecting to a variety of devices such as clock displays, PCs etc. When driving card readers to synchronize PCs/Networks, UTC may be required. Devices such as the Masterclock® Inc. TCI500 can be connected to your GPS200 to obtain two or more outputs with different offsets.
Answer: The GPS-200A can be easily converted to a one space standard rack mount unit by obtaining a RM-4 kit from Masterclock® Inc. This kit will mount up to four Masterclock® Inc. devices, such as the TCD-200 clock displays, in one rack space.
Answer: The TCO100 is designed
to be a backup to the GPS200 master clock generator and provide an alternate
source of time code in case of failure or loss of GPS signal. A setup
whereby the GPS200 is connected directly to a TCO100 oscillator
will work, however you are relying 100% on the TCO100. If it should fail
you will have to manually connect your time code feed directly to the
output of the GPS200.
GPS200 to TCO100 Connection Diagram
Answer: Typically you should be able to connect up to 20 clocks since each clock presents a very small load, however this also depends on the length of the cable or wire.
Answer: You can use virtually any kind of wire or coaxial cable. The time code signal is similar to a slow speed audio modem. We recommend the use of coaxial cable with BNC connectors because it is convenient and easy for most people to connect.
Answer: The time code signal feed can be split or paralleled as you would with multiple speakers. This can be done with BNC "T" connectors or by connecting the wires in parallel. If you do not have a source for the BNC "T" connectors Masterclock® can supply them to you.
Answer: You should not have any problem with distances up to 1000 ft - 300m. Beyond these distances and in particular if you have several separate feeds you may have to use a distribution amplifier such as the TCA100.
Answer: The coaxial cable can be opened and separated - the center conductor is connected to one terminal and the outer shield connected to the other.
