ntp server 18.145.0.30 is not responding

Hi,
In the scratch install it is mentioned to use 18.145.0.30 for ntpdate initial sync, but this server is not responding, is there any other server that we can use...?
I have one more question..my Vicidial server runs smooth for 15 to 20 mins with both auto and manual dialing and everything is perfect.. but after (15-20mins) all the agents are facing sound problem, they can not hear any the other end, and after few minutes it comes back to normal, what could be the possible reason..?
iam using Asterisk 1.2.24, astguiclient 2.0.3, zaptel-1.2.21
In the scratch install it is mentioned to use 18.145.0.30 for ntpdate initial sync, but this server is not responding, is there any other server that we can use...?
I have one more question..my Vicidial server runs smooth for 15 to 20 mins with both auto and manual dialing and everything is perfect.. but after (15-20mins) all the agents are facing sound problem, they can not hear any the other end, and after few minutes it comes back to normal, what could be the possible reason..?
iam using Asterisk 1.2.24, astguiclient 2.0.3, zaptel-1.2.21