[time-nuts] NTS-100 IRIG to GPS Conversion

[Jason Rabel]

Finally got a chance to hook up the ACE III units today and tinker around
with them.

They were initially set to TAIP 4800/N81... Which did not work with the
NTS-100.
I tried setting them to TSIP 9600/O81 (eprom default) and 9600/N81 (more
common) but neither seemed to be recognized by the NTS.
I'm going to try maybe 4800bps in TSIP mode, beyond that if it's not
recognized then all I can assume is that the older NTS modules used a more
custom firmware for each model. IIRC those you could not simply download
firmware updates from their site, they had to mail you new chip to swap out
(from what I read).

Something else that is kind of weird, the header on the NTS is 10pins, but
the GPS module only has 8 pins. I've seen the NTS-100 with the GPS module
(thanks Jack!), and it only has 8pins on the ACE II, so it's not special or
modified. I guess maybe they did that for other future models or something.

One other thing I can try is I have a jumper on two pins on my board that
the GPS model I saw did not have. It's a long shot but can't hurt to try.

Anyone out there with a GPS module willing to do a little detective work? If
you unplug your GPS module and power up the unit, does it give you some
error on the display, or revert to IRIG mode? Second, if you have the time
and patience, if you hook it up to your PC could you give the settings for
the interface (protocol & port settings)? I would have assumed they would
use the default TSIP, but I could be wrong.

Jason