Atomic Clock’s Signals Now Louder, Clearer
Punctuality has been given a boost.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology announced Monday that it has more than doubled the power of its radio signal broadcasting accurate time, all the time.
The signal from an atomic clock is used by broadcasters, navigators, scientists and others in need of extremely accurate timekeeping.
The signal is broadcast by station WWVB, near Fort Collins, Colo., and has operated at 10,000 watts for more than 30 years. It has now been boosted to 23,000 watts, and plans call for an increase to between 40,000 and 50,000 watts, the agency said.
The signal can be used to automatically set the correct time in clocks, watches, VCRs, cars and electronic gear of all kinds equipped to receive the special signal. It is not audible and requires special receivers to decode.
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