Re: "00:00"

[P3D Joerg Meyer [Inf.] <jmeyer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Tue, 23 Apr 1996 11:47:50 +1000 (EST) Wolfie!  <werewolf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>On Beyond 2000, the Australian Version a few years back they showed that 
>in Germany a system was on trial where one radio station pumped out a time
>signal which special clocks and watches were always tuned into, no one had
>to set clocks and none were ever late!

Yes, indeed this system has been established some years ago here in Germany.
The time signal from the atomic clock at Brunswick (Braunschweig), Germany,
is distributed via a 77.5 kHz transmitter at Mainflingen near Frankfurt/Main.
It is used to sync clocks at train stations, phone companies, etc.
Even our local church bell is in perfect sync! BTW, in Germany
displays never show "12:00", because we always use a 24 hour system. :-)
Anyway, most of my friend's VCRs flash at "00:00"... ;-)

Recently many alarm clocks and even watches are equipped with a miniature
receiver that automatically adjusts the clock to atomic time, including
automatic setting to daylight saving time. I've built my own receiver
based on a 8039 microcontroller (the signal is easy to decode - I had to
write 2 kB of microcode only).
The signal is also distributed with the teletext signal on TV and
therefore available in more than 30% of all households.
I think there is a similar radio station in Colorado.

Together with the GPS satellite system, it is possible to determine
a position with a precision better than 1 cm (0.4"). Would be great to
determine horizontal displacement of stereo oculars. Here we are,
back to our regular topic!  :-)

>Wolfie!
>[professional clock setter 'round our area]

Joerg [never sets the clock manually again]


P.S: On 23 Apr 96 04:18:31 -0500 <Chuck_Field-ECF004@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>Geeze, I checked out my clock on my VCR, yesterday, and LO AND BEHOLD!  It 
>was set.  Good thing too, or my wife wouldn't get to see Deep Space 9!

Hi Trekie! I recorded "Star Trek - The Next Generation" today. :-)  Most VCRs
would record it even without the clock being set precisely, because German TV
stations have a VPS (Video Programming System) signal, which automatically
starts VCRs, even if there is a delay in the schedule (max. 24h).
    
    
    _V_      |  Joerg Meyer ----------- University of Kaiserslautern, Germany
   /   \     |  Department of Computer Science, Computer Graphics Group -----
   |O O|     |  E-Mail: j_meyer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ------------------------
ooO--U--Ooo  |  URL   : http://davinci.informatik.uni-kl.de/~jmeyer ---------


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