AM Radio stations used to have time signals on the hour. Not many still use this. I think it’s a pity. -----Original Message----- From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane Trethowan Sent: Sunday, 21 May 2017 6:04 AM To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org> Subject: Re: listening to time signals using pc?
The simplest explanation is that a time signal allows you to calibrate your time piece manually. Let's go back in time say to when WWV first went on the air back in the late 1920's. At that time, clocks and other time pieces weren't too reliable and - in some cases - needed to be calibrated daily with a Time Signal, WWV being one of the earliest around. So you tuned your radio to WWV and waited for the stroke on the 0 second of the minute, "58, 59 0", long note which started the count up to the next 0 second of the next minute. WWV has announcements to indicate the time coming up, "At The Time 9 Hours 48 Minutes Co-ordinated Universal time", that way the person setting the time piece has time to be ready for the 0 second stroke. Of course modern-day time signals such as WWV/WWVH do far more than that these days and there's a whole host of different signal services around. The future of time signals is shaky given that most clocks now can adjust themselves thanks to the Internet or an Atomic Clock time signal so no need for a human to be involved in the calibration process. You can find more details about WWV etc on Google - despite what you might hear from those who ought to know better <smile>> - and Wikipedia. On 21/05/2017 5:55 AM, Hamit Campos wrote: > What's this time signal thing anyways? What's it do exactly? > > > On 5/14/2017 4:30 AM, Dane Trethowan wrote: >> There's absolutely no point listening to a time signal service such >> as WWV on a PC as what you hear would be delayed by the time you hear >> it thus setting the time by such a method would be completely >> inaccurate. >> >> Still the best way to set time is to tune into WWV/WWVH on a >> Shortwave receiver on 2.5, 5, 10, 15 or 20MHZ, the higher frequency's >> come in well during the afternoon. >> >> WWV was recently upgraded, there was talk of it going off the air. >> >> WWV has been in operation since 1927, impressive. >> >> You can phone WWV/WWVH and hear them that way though again what you >> hear will be delayed at least by a quarter of a second, more likely >> longer. >> >> These are US phone numbers >> >> WWV 3034997111 >> >> WWVH 8083354363 >> >> You can patch these two different numbers together to simulate >> exactly what you'd hear if you tuned to one of the abovementioned >> frequency's on a Shortwave Radio. >> >> In Australia the best way to set your time piece manually is to find >> a station with an accurate local time signal, I say accurate because >> some are delayed by at least a second owing to satellite links being >> used, ABC being a case in point so that can't always be relied upon. >> >> >> >> On 14/05/2017 2:43 PM, Adam Morris wrote: >>> Hi all, >>> >>> Does anyone know of a site or way I can receive a time signal like >>> wwv using a pc? >>> >>> Have tried google but links I found don't work. >>> >>> >> > > > --- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > https://www.avast.com/antivirus > > -- ********** "Live each day as if you were goiing to die tomorrow, learn each day as if you were going to live forever"
