                              MSF for Windows

'MSF for Windows' is a utility which decodes data received from the MSF  (60 
kHz) transmission from Anthorn, Cumbria, UK and sets the PC's date and  time 
every  minute.  The time reference is derived from an atomic  clock  at  the 
National Physical Laboratory.

'MSF for Windows' requires a feed of data from a suitable MSF receiver.  The 
data must be supplied to the PC via a one-bit input port.  If your PC has an 
unused games port this is ideal, but a spare 'handshaking' bit on a parallel 
or serial port is also suitable (see later).  Note that an 'intelligent' MSF
receiver,  which decodes the date and time to (for example) serial data,  is
NOT suitable.

'MSF for Windows' defaults to taking its input from bit 7 of the games  port 
(address 201H), which is the fourth 'fire button'.  In this case the  signal 
ground  should be connected to pin 5 and the data to pin 14 of the  joystick 
connector (15-pin D-type).  The signal must be at TTL levels (low from 0  to 
+0.4 volts, high from +2.4 to +5 volts) but the data polarity is unimportant 
as 'MSF for Windows' automatically adapts to this.

To install 'MSF for Windows' unzip all the files in MSFWIN.ZIP into the same 
directory  (e.g. C:\Program Files\MSF\) and run MSFWIN.EXE (on Windows Vista
and Windows 7 you will have to use 'Run as administrator').  Once  'MSF  for 
Windows'  is  running  "MSF"  will  appear  in  the  SysTray  (the   Taskbar 
Notification  Area).   To change the input port and/or data bit  from  their 
default  settings,  double-click  on the "MSF" (or  right-click  and  select 
Properties) and enter the required values in the dialogue box which appears.
The dialogue box includes a 'tell tale' indicator of the current input data,
so you can see at a glance whether  you have specified  the correct settings
and confirm that the MSF receiver is working.

The  input port may be specified  either by selecting it  from the drop-down
list or by entering its hexadecimal address.  Some suitable ports are listed
below:

 Port     Signal         Address   Bit  Pin(s)

 Games    Fire button A  201       4    2
 Games    Fire button B  201       5    7
 Games    Fire button C  201       6    10
 Games    Fire button D  201       7    14
 Games    Ground                        4, 5

 LPT1     Acknowledge    379       6    10
 LPT1     Busy           379       7    11
 LPT1     Paper end      379       5    12
 LPT1     Select         379       4    13
 LPT1     Error          379       3    15
 LPT1     Ground                        18-25

 LPT2     As LPT1 but use port address 279

 COM1     Clear to send  3FE*      4    8 (9-pin)  5 (25-pin)
 COM1     Data set ready 3FE*      5    6 (9-pin)  6 (25-pin)
 COM1     Ring indicator 3FE*      6    9 (9-pin) 22 (25-pin)
 COM1     Carrier detect 3FE*      7    1 (9-pin)  8 (25-pin)
 COM1     Ground                        5 (9-pin)  7 (25-pin)

 COM2     As COM1 but use port address 2FE*
 COM3     As COM1 but use port address 3EE*
 COM4     As COM1 but use port address 2EE*

*  Normally you should NOT specify the hexadecimal address  when selecting a
serial port, but instead choose COM1: to COM9: from the list.   This ensures
compatibility with USB serial port adaptors.

Note  that  the inputs to the Games and LPT ports must be at  TTL  (5  volt) 
levels whereas the inputs to the COM ports must be at RS-232/V24 levels.

The background colour of "MSF" in the SysTray indicates the current  status, 
as follows:

     Green     Good
     Yellow    Poor  (Time not set for over two minutes, or  periodicity  of 
               input data inconsistent).
     Red       Fail  (Time  not  set  for over  four  minutes,  or  no  data 
               transitions for over five seconds).
     Grey      Waiting for input status to be determined.

If  you  'hover' the mouse over the "MSF" the current status  and  the  most 
recently received data (if any) are displayed.  Note that the displayed  MSF 
date  and  time are not error-checked; only when error-free  and  consistent 
data are received for two consecutive minutes is the PC's clock set.

If you are  unsure whether the MSF transmission is on air  you can telephone
for a recorded status message on 020 8943 6493, or visit the NPL web site at
http://www.npl.co.uk/science-technology/time-frequency/time/

'MSF  for Windows' normally sets the PC's clock to UTC (GMT) in  the  winter 
months  and to BST in the summer months, however it is possible to select  a 
'all year round UTC' mode if required for special purposes.  To enable  this 
mode  double-click  on  "MSF"  in the SysTray  (or  right-click  and  select 
Properties) then check "UTC" in the dialogue box which appears.

To remove 'MSF for Windows' from memory right-click on "MSF" in the  SysTray 
and select "Close MSF".

If you want 'MSF for Windows' to be run every time you start your PC, put  a 
shortcut to MSFWIN.EXE in the StartUp folder. To do that drag the MSFWIN.EXE
icon to the StartUp folder with the right mouse button,  and select  'Create
Shortcut Here' when the button is released.   On Windows Vista and Windows 7
this may not work because of the need to run MSFWIN as an administrator;  in
that case use the Task Scheduler to run the program at user log-on.

'MSF  for Windows' is Freeware.  You may freely copy and use the program  so 
long  as  it  is not altered in any way and is distributed  along  with  the 
associated  files.   'MSF for Windows' is the  Copyright (C) 2003 - 2012  of
R. T. Russell; any comments or reports of problems would be appreciated.

  Email:  info@rtrussell.co.uk

  Web:    http://www.rtrussell.co.uk

  Fax:    01366 387486

Richard Russell, 17th April 2012.


The InpOut32 hardware access library supplied with 'MSF for Windows' is
the Copyright of  Logix4U (http://www.logix4u.net/) and  Highresolution
Enterprises (x64 port; http://www.highrez.co.uk).
