Handbooks sub-menu
Radio Time Signals
The radio signals listed below may be of use to observers. The stations transmit Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The transmissions also carry a coded correction so that it is possible to convert UTC to UT1. However, observers should always report their observations in UTC.
| Station (Country) | Call Sign | Transmission Frequencies (kHz) | Times of Transmission | Details of Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthorn UK | MSF | 60 | continuous | Minute marker 500ms, seconds 100ms. More details & maintenance: www.npl.co.uk |
| Mainflingen (Germany) | DCF77 | 77.5 | continuous | Second marker 100ms (59s omitted); minute marker 500ms. |
| Prangins (Switzerland) | HBG | 75 | continuous | Markers interruption of carrier wave. Second marker 10ms; minute marker double pulse; hour marker triple pulse. NB: Ceased at the end of 2011. Use DCF77 instead. |
| Espoo Finland | MIKES | 25000 | continuous | More info. |
| Moscow (Russia) | RWM | 4996 9996 14996 | continuous continuous continuous | Except 08 & 38m past hr. Morse ID at 09 & 39m. |
| Fort Collins (U.S.A.) | WWV | 2500 5000 10000 15000 20000 | continuous | Second marker 5ms pulse (29s and 59s omitted); minute marker 800ms pulse male voice announcement 52s-60s. |
| Kauai (Hawaii) | WWVH | 2500 5000 10000 15000 | continuous | Second marker 5ms pulse (29s and 59s omitted); minute marker 800ms pulse female voice announcement 45s-52.5s. |
| Ottawa (Canada) | CHU | 3330 7850 14670 | continuous | Second marker 01s-28s, 30s-50s; minute marker 500ms pulse; 51s-59s. Long hour marker. |
| Linshan (Pucheng) (China) | BPM | 5000 10000 15000 | continuous continuous 0100-0900 Z transmission | Second marker 10 ms; minute marker continuous 30 ms. Call sign in Morse and voice at 29-30m and 59-60m. UTC time signals given out at 00-10, 15-25, 30-40, 45 -55m. |
| Chung-Li (Taiwan) | BSF | 5000 15000 | continuous except 35-40 m | Second marker 5ms; minute marker 300ms. |
| Taejon (South Korea) | HLA | 5000 | continuous | Second marker 20ms, minute marker Mon.-Fri. 800ms at 1000Hz tone; hour marker 800ms at 1500Hz tone; voice announcement at 52s. |
| Nazaki (Japan) | JG2AS/ JJF-2 | 40 | continuous | Second marker 500ms; 59th second 200-ms interruption of carrier wave; Morse call sign at 15 and 45m. |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | LOL1 | 10000 | 14-1500Z weekdays only | Voice announcement every 5 mins and 5ms marker pulses. |
| Caracas (Venezuela) | YVTO | 5000 | continuous | Second marker 100ms pulse voice announcement of time every minute; minute marker 500ms pulse 30s marker omitted. |
