Using the RTC together with the WiFi module

The RTC module is not very accurate and can lose several seconds over the period of a few weeks. Luckily, like other, much larger systems, the ZX Spectrum Next can also set its time from the internet, thanks to .nxtp, the dot command client to Robin Verhagen-Guest's NeXt Time Protocol server. Its syntax is:

.nxtp server-address port [-z=Timezone]

where server-address is a FQDN or IP address running a nxtp server, port is the port where that nxtp server is listening to (by default 12300) and an optional timezone parameter to set the time to any location you would like from a list of acceptable timezones.

.nxtp time.zx.in.net 12300 -z=UTC

will talk to the the nxtp server located at time.zx.in.net, listening on port 12300 and set the RTC's time to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) whereas

.nxtp time.zx.in.net 12300 -z=GMT

will do the same but for Greenwich Mean Time meaning the time will adjust for summer giving you BST and winter giving you UTC, as .nxtp already knows about daylight savings. It will work this into your RTC's time setting meaning you never have to worry about setting your clock in the summer or winter provided your location observes these.

A full list of accepted timezones exists at the .nxtp project's wiki page located at: https://github.com/Threetwosevensixseven/nxtp/wiki/Timezone-Codes

It is a good idea, if you have an always working WiFi setup, to add .nxtp to your autoexec.bas file so it always sets the correct time whenever your ZX Spectrum Next boots. The potential startup delay is very small and the benefit of always having correct time outweighs the delay.

Using the rest of the add-ons

Both the WiFi and Raspberry Pi Accelerator add-ons open up exciting features not before seen on a ZX Spectrum computer. This chapter provides only limited coverage as the feature set of both is still evolving. We have included all features implemented thus far (Audio playback, TZX loading, DRIVER support etc) in Chapters 18, 19, 20 and this chapter, however, you're encouraged to read the accompanying documentation found in your System/Next™ distribution and on www.specnext.com as they will always contain the most up-to-date information regarding these add-ons and newer ZX Spectrum Next features.