uk time signals - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: silly sausage
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2025, 07:18:39 am
content: does the uk have any hf time transmissions like wwv

author: wasedadoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2025, 07:50:51 am
content: Yes. Google for "MSF time signal". Transmitter used to be at Rugby but now further north.

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2025, 08:25:37 am
content: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_from_NPL_(MSF)HTHthe only "problem" is that the signal is transmitted at a frequency of 60 kHz so you'll need a receiver and an antenna capable of working efficiently "down there"

author: silly sausage
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2025, 09:10:43 am
content: so as i asked for hf not vlf the answer is no then,did we ever have an HF! time signal?

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2025, 10:37:49 am
content: No. The signal has to propagate as a ground wave, otherwise time difference from the transmitter to receiver will vary depending on ionospheric conditions. For an accurate time reference it obviously needs to be predictable. I think there's a delay map in one of the above links.Edit: As far as higher frequencies, the 'Grenwich' time signal pips on the BBC (before they got delayed by digital encoding).

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2025, 12:56:14 pm
content: At HF Short Wave you can useRWMstations which transmit frequency standard and time on 4996 kHz, 9996 kHz and 14996 kHz.

author: Solder_Junkie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2025, 02:05:43 pm
content: Quote from: silly sausage on February 08, 2025, 09:10:43 amMany years ago we had 2.5 MHz, 5 MHz and 10 MHz from MSF. Now only 60 KHzIn Europe the Russian time and frequency station RWM is still broadcasting on 4.996 MHz, 9.996 MHz and 14.996 MHz. It is very strong at the moment (1400 GMT) on 14.996.For time accurate to a fraction of a second, you need an analogue receiver. The soon to cease Radio 4 on 198 KHz has accurate time pips, but beware of delays when listening to "pips" on DAB, they are delayed by a significant amount.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RWMSJ

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2025, 08:14:54 pm
content: Also note that branded AM broadcast stations has pretty precise carrier frequency, usually ± 1-2 Hz from frequency standard. So you can use it as a reference.But note that some AM stations (usually in Arabic language or amateur AM) may have pretty high frequency error.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2025, 08:20:58 pm
content: Quote from: radiolistener on February 09, 2025, 08:14:54 pmSome AM stations, designated as timing references, are atomically accurate. In the UK, BBC Radio 4 at 198kHz was locked to an atomic clock, but its shutting down next year, and I think they have already dropped the atomic locking.

author: drspastic
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2025, 01:55:43 am
content: whats wrong with the non uk signals at the start of many hf bands? 10mhz is available day and night and has more than one time signal

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2025, 02:06:27 am
content: alternativelyhttps://www.epncb.oma.be/