Operating instructions

Using the sclock program
The sclock program is used with an Ultra-Link Model 325 WWVB Receiver/Decoder to
provide accurate time to the sentuser and sentuser2 programs. The Ultra-Link unit
monitors WWVB transmissions that allow it to maintain accurate time. The sclock
application talks to the Ultra-Link through a serial interface and periodically updates a
time correction value in the file “TimeOffset” that indicates the number of seconds that
must be added to the PC system time to produce an accurate time. This correction value
is subsequently used by the sentuser and sentuser applications to accurately time-tag
meteor events.
In a separate terminal window, start the sclock program by typing:
./sclock
This assumes you are using COM1 to connect to the Ultra-Link. If you are using COM2
to connect to the Ultra-Link, then you should start sclock by typing:
./sclock 2
The program periodically outputs the message string from the Ultra-Link to the terminal.
Depending on the strength of the WWVB signal at your location, it may take several
minutes for the Ultra-Link to acquire the correct time.
Making a Quicktime Movie
To allow wider dissemination of captured meteor events, I have developed applications to
convert video event files into Quicktime movies and JPEG composite images. Versions
of the application that run under Windows are available at:
ftp://ftp.sandia.gov/outgoing/meteors/RTMeteorMovie.exe
ftp://ftp.sandia.gov/outgoing/meteors/CRTMeteorMovie.exe
The first application produces a grayscale movie while the second application produces
an amber tinted pseudo-color movie.
You can also e-mail me if you would like a version of the application that runs on a
Macintosh.