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The GPS Clock was the first club construction project developed under the leadership of Dino VE7NX. It features a clean design, user-friendly interface, and useful real-time data pulled from satellite signals.
A full description of the initial build is available in the July 2022 issue of The Communicator at archive.org, with detailed construction steps published in the May 2023 edition.
Origins and Acknowledgments
Origins and Acknowledgments
The original design is credited to Bruce Hall W8BH, whose work and other excellent projects are documented at http://w8bh.net. Dino VE7NX adapted the design for club use, simplifying it by removing surface-mount components and shifting to modular assembly to avoid the complexity of SMD soldering.
Hardware and Functionality
Hardware and Functionality
This unit runs on a standard 12-volt supply and uses a 2.8-inch color graphic touchscreen. It incorporates a 32-bit microprocessor and a buck converter to step 12 volts down to 5 volts. An external GPS antenna receives data from satellites, and the entire assembly is housed in a custom-designed metal enclosure. Special credit goes to Thomas VE7TXL, who cut the openings in the metal enclosure with a CNC machine.
Through the touchscreen, users can access multiple screens showing:
Date and accurate local and UTC time in hours, minutes, and seconds
Latitude and longitude to five decimal places
Maidenhead grid square locator accurate to eight characters
GPS Antenna Specifications
GPS Antenna Specifications
The antenna used for this project receives at 1676.42 MHz and operates on 3.0 to 5.0 volts. It is a passive or external GPS unit and contributes to the unit’s precision in reporting location and timing data.
This project combines practical amateur radio utility with approachable construction, making it ideal for any ham radio operator interested in learning more about GPS systems and embedded electronics.
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