What if we held hands and listened to the atomic clock broadcast on WWVB from Fort Collins?
June 28, 2025 at 4:08 AM
What if we held hands and listened to the atomic clock broadcast on WWVB from Fort Collins?
Are WWV and WWVB ok?
Ouch! The most accurate standard of time in the USA may have gone down!
Yup, a bunch of atomic clocks at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado seem to have lost power.
(1/n)
Yup, a bunch of atomic clocks at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado seem to have lost power.
(1/n)
![Dear colleagues,
In short, the atomic ensemble time scale at our Boulder campus has failed due to a prolonged utility power outage. One impact is that the Boulder Internet Time Services no longer have an accurate time reference. At time of writing the Boulder servers are still available due a standby power generator, but I will attempt to disable them to avoid disseminating incorrect time.
The affected servers are:
time-a-b.nist.gov
time-b-b.nist.gov
time-c-b.nist.gov
time-d-b.nist.gov
time-e-b.nist.gov
ntp-b.nist.gov (authenticated NTP)
No time to repair estimate is available until we regain staff access and
power. Efforts are currently focused on obtaining an alternate source of
power so the hydrogen maser clocks survive beyond their battery backups.
More details follow.
Due to prolonged high wind gusts there have been a combination of utility power line damage and preemptive utility shutdowns (in the interest of wildfire prevention) in the Boulder, CO area. NIST's campus lost utility power Wednesday (Dec. 17 2025) around 22:23 UTC. At time of writing utility power is still off to the campus. Facility operators anticipated needing to shutdown the heat-exchange infrastructure providing air cooling to many parts of the building, including some internal networking closets. [....]
At initial power loss, there was no immediate impact to the NIST atomic
time scale or distribution services because the projects are afforded
standby power generators. However, we now have strong evidence one of the crucial generators has failed. In the downstream path is the primary signal distribution chain, including to the Boulder Internet Time Service. Another campus building houses additional clocks backed up by a different power generator; if these survive it will allow us to re-align the primary time scale when site stability returns without making use of external clocks or reference signals.
Best wishes,
-Jeff Sherman](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:fb5fjz7jxmbf3alhwh44ookd/bafkreicfacdabxxqyw77ujiuv2u6vow4vozmlmpgaeuemmxr422posq2ey)
December 20, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Are WWV and WWVB ok?
In USA:
"The WWVB broadcasts are used by millions of people throughout North America to synchronize consumer electronic products like wall clocks, clock radios and wristwatches."
www.nist.gov/pml/time-and...
"The WWVB broadcasts are used by millions of people throughout North America to synchronize consumer electronic products like wall clocks, clock radios and wristwatches."
www.nist.gov/pml/time-and...
Radio Station WWVB
Station Information NIST radio station WWVB is located on the same site as NIST HF radio station
www.nist.gov
November 5, 2023 at 7:31 PM
In USA:
"The WWVB broadcasts are used by millions of people throughout North America to synchronize consumer electronic products like wall clocks, clock radios and wristwatches."
www.nist.gov/pml/time-and...
"The WWVB broadcasts are used by millions of people throughout North America to synchronize consumer electronic products like wall clocks, clock radios and wristwatches."
www.nist.gov/pml/time-and...
You don't need wifi, the internet or bluetooth to sync your clocks automatically. All you need is 1950s radio tech.
All our wall clocks are synced via a big antenna in Colorado. WWVB does all the work. Atomic accurate.
(one guess which pres tried to kill these stations recently)
All our wall clocks are synced via a big antenna in Colorado. WWVB does all the work. Atomic accurate.
(one guess which pres tried to kill these stations recently)
November 3, 2025 at 3:19 AM
You don't need wifi, the internet or bluetooth to sync your clocks automatically. All you need is 1950s radio tech.
All our wall clocks are synced via a big antenna in Colorado. WWVB does all the work. Atomic accurate.
(one guess which pres tried to kill these stations recently)
All our wall clocks are synced via a big antenna in Colorado. WWVB does all the work. Atomic accurate.
(one guess which pres tried to kill these stations recently)
Living on the East Coast means my radio-controlled atomic wall clock is completely deaf to the atomic (WWVB) signal from Colorado. In the attached video, I am using my smartphone to force the clock to sync to exact Internet time via a clever hardware hack. 1/4
May 9, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Living on the East Coast means my radio-controlled atomic wall clock is completely deaf to the atomic (WWVB) signal from Colorado. In the attached video, I am using my smartphone to force the clock to sync to exact Internet time via a clever hardware hack. 1/4
WWV and WWVB have a backup time standard in Fort Collins that can run independently of the one in Boulder. It would take a long time before the drift of the secondary time standard was big enough to notice via WWV/WWVB.
December 21, 2025 at 2:36 AM
WWV and WWVB have a backup time standard in Fort Collins that can run independently of the one in Boulder. It would take a long time before the drift of the secondary time standard was big enough to notice via WWV/WWVB.
I just noticed that my radio-controlled wall clock has obtained a time signal from NIST via WWVB. Now with all these severe cutbacks to the funding of science in the US by this regime, I wonder how soon the signal from WWVB and shortwave stations WWV and WWVH go silent forever?
July 17, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I just noticed that my radio-controlled wall clock has obtained a time signal from NIST via WWVB. Now with all these severe cutbacks to the funding of science in the US by this regime, I wonder how soon the signal from WWVB and shortwave stations WWV and WWVH go silent forever?
Yeah, there's no justification for a wifi connection just to set time, when much simpler and cheaper solutions exist:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWVB
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWVB
WWVB - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
March 9, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Yeah, there's no justification for a wifi connection just to set time, when much simpler and cheaper solutions exist:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWVB
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWVB
I'm waiting for one of the Musk-o-vites to turn of the Atomic Clock signal and then the slow degradation of millions of devices that start causing subtle issues with clocks being out of sync.
Our gov does so many incredibly useful things.
www.nist.gov/pml/time-and...
Our gov does so many incredibly useful things.
www.nist.gov/pml/time-and...
Help with WWVB Radio Controlled Clocks
Update 11 October 2024: As of 10 October 2024, 2300 UTC, WWVB is operating at full power
www.nist.gov
March 15, 2025 at 9:20 PM
I'm waiting for one of the Musk-o-vites to turn of the Atomic Clock signal and then the slow degradation of millions of devices that start causing subtle issues with clocks being out of sync.
Our gov does so many incredibly useful things.
www.nist.gov/pml/time-and...
Our gov does so many incredibly useful things.
www.nist.gov/pml/time-and...
You know how some of your clocks will just *know* how to adjust to the time change tonight (and not just our phones talking to cell towers)? They get that from govt radio. Thank you, NIST, for maintaining the time!
www.nist.gov/pml/time-and...
#ThankYouCivilService
www.nist.gov/pml/time-and...
#ThankYouCivilService
March 9, 2025 at 2:19 AM
You know how some of your clocks will just *know* how to adjust to the time change tonight (and not just our phones talking to cell towers)? They get that from govt radio. Thank you, NIST, for maintaining the time!
www.nist.gov/pml/time-and...
#ThankYouCivilService
www.nist.gov/pml/time-and...
#ThankYouCivilService
Casio WWVB/NBS synchronized
Yes I'm filthy and need to take a shower.
Yes I'm filthy and need to take a shower.
May 25, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Casio WWVB/NBS synchronized
Yes I'm filthy and need to take a shower.
Yes I'm filthy and need to take a shower.
Want exact network time on a wall clock? Apps like Clock Wave (iOS) grab the network time from the Internet and play a 60kHz audio tone. The phone's speaker coil creates a pulsing magnetic field that mimics the official (WWVB) radio signal, forcing the clock to sync.
March 13, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Want exact network time on a wall clock? Apps like Clock Wave (iOS) grab the network time from the Internet and play a 60kHz audio tone. The phone's speaker coil creates a pulsing magnetic field that mimics the official (WWVB) radio signal, forcing the clock to sync.
Trying some ancient technology, a tuned common emitter amplifier with emitter follower output buffer. Looks promising.
April 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Trying some ancient technology, a tuned common emitter amplifier with emitter follower output buffer. Looks promising.
WINB Shortwave Radiogram #460
Saturday, August 1st, 0230 UTC on 9265 kHz
This week "at the tone..." Tony Pavick and Al Holt special focus on WWV, WWVH, WWVB, WWVL, and (RIP) CHU w/ QSL Card pics and audio clip - MFSK32 / MFSK64:
swradiogram.net
@swradiogram.bsky.social
#Shortwave
Saturday, August 1st, 0230 UTC on 9265 kHz
This week "at the tone..." Tony Pavick and Al Holt special focus on WWV, WWVH, WWVB, WWVL, and (RIP) CHU w/ QSL Card pics and audio clip - MFSK32 / MFSK64:
swradiogram.net
@swradiogram.bsky.social
#Shortwave
July 31, 2026 at 11:41 PM
WINB Shortwave Radiogram #460
Saturday, August 1st, 0230 UTC on 9265 kHz
This week "at the tone..." Tony Pavick and Al Holt special focus on WWV, WWVH, WWVB, WWVL, and (RIP) CHU w/ QSL Card pics and audio clip - MFSK32 / MFSK64:
swradiogram.net
@swradiogram.bsky.social
#Shortwave
Saturday, August 1st, 0230 UTC on 9265 kHz
This week "at the tone..." Tony Pavick and Al Holt special focus on WWV, WWVH, WWVB, WWVL, and (RIP) CHU w/ QSL Card pics and audio clip - MFSK32 / MFSK64:
swradiogram.net
@swradiogram.bsky.social
#Shortwave
WINB Red Lion PA 9265 kHz
Shortwave Radiogram #460
Thursday July 30th at 2330 UTC
This week Tony Pavick & Al Holt special focus on WWV, WWVH, WWVB, WWVL, and (RIP) CHU w/ QSL Cards and audio clip - MFSK32 / MFSK64:
swradiogram.net
@swradiogram.bsky.social
#Shortwave
Shortwave Radiogram #460
Thursday July 30th at 2330 UTC
This week Tony Pavick & Al Holt special focus on WWV, WWVH, WWVB, WWVL, and (RIP) CHU w/ QSL Cards and audio clip - MFSK32 / MFSK64:
swradiogram.net
@swradiogram.bsky.social
#Shortwave
July 30, 2026 at 9:23 PM
WINB Red Lion PA 9265 kHz
Shortwave Radiogram #460
Thursday July 30th at 2330 UTC
This week Tony Pavick & Al Holt special focus on WWV, WWVH, WWVB, WWVL, and (RIP) CHU w/ QSL Cards and audio clip - MFSK32 / MFSK64:
swradiogram.net
@swradiogram.bsky.social
#Shortwave
Shortwave Radiogram #460
Thursday July 30th at 2330 UTC
This week Tony Pavick & Al Holt special focus on WWV, WWVH, WWVB, WWVL, and (RIP) CHU w/ QSL Cards and audio clip - MFSK32 / MFSK64:
swradiogram.net
@swradiogram.bsky.social
#Shortwave
WWVB module. It should be only about 3V and regular pulses
March 1, 2026 at 5:24 AM
WWVB module. It should be only about 3V and regular pulses
A QSL of QSLs:
CHU, WWV, WWVH, WWVL, WWVB.
Received in northern Florida, USA from the August 1, 2026 broadcast over WINB, 0230-0300 UTC 9265 kHz.
CHU, WWV, WWVH, WWVL, WWVB.
Received in northern Florida, USA from the August 1, 2026 broadcast over WINB, 0230-0300 UTC 9265 kHz.
August 1, 2026 at 12:21 PM
A QSL of QSLs:
CHU, WWV, WWVH, WWVL, WWVB.
Received in northern Florida, USA from the August 1, 2026 broadcast over WINB, 0230-0300 UTC 9265 kHz.
CHU, WWV, WWVH, WWVL, WWVB.
Received in northern Florida, USA from the August 1, 2026 broadcast over WINB, 0230-0300 UTC 9265 kHz.
Setting a radio-controlled atomic clock via sound waves is wild. Apps like Clock Wave on iOS pulse audio to generate an electromagnetic field the clock decodes as WWVB, the US government time signal. No distant radio tower required, just high-volume "silence".
March 4, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Setting a radio-controlled atomic clock via sound waves is wild. Apps like Clock Wave on iOS pulse audio to generate an electromagnetic field the clock decodes as WWVB, the US government time signal. No distant radio tower required, just high-volume "silence".
Do you need to use GPS time?
WWVB would work.
And you could probably do FSK.
WWVB would work.
And you could probably do FSK.
September 4, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Do you need to use GPS time?
WWVB would work.
And you could probably do FSK.
WWVB would work.
And you could probably do FSK.
I wasn't sure if this little clock would work in Canada, but it picks up WWVB just fine. Has anyone opened one up, and been able to get a data line off the receiver?
October 16, 2025 at 2:07 PM
I wasn't sure if this little clock would work in Canada, but it picks up WWVB just fine. Has anyone opened one up, and been able to get a data line off the receiver?
@NNN BTI (before the Internet), I used to set my watch to the chime at the beginning of CBS radio's hourly news.
Of course, WWVB was the gold standard, but you needed a tuner that could pick up 60khz.
Now, it's easy for time-keeping devices to periodically sync with a time server somewhere.
Of course, WWVB was the gold standard, but you needed a tuner that could pick up 60khz.
Now, it's easy for time-keeping devices to periodically sync with a time server somewhere.
September 24, 2026 at 3:37 AM
@NNN BTI (before the Internet), I used to set my watch to the chime at the beginning of CBS radio's hourly news.
Of course, WWVB was the gold standard, but you needed a tuner that could pick up 60khz.
Now, it's easy for time-keeping devices to periodically sync with a time server somewhere.
Of course, WWVB was the gold standard, but you needed a tuner that could pick up 60khz.
Now, it's easy for time-keeping devices to periodically sync with a time server somewhere.
We do but only for machine form, not read aloud en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWVB
WWVB - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
March 9, 2026 at 4:13 PM
We do but only for machine form, not read aloud en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWVB
WWVB for the win!
February 13, 2026 at 2:03 AM
WWVB for the win!
"And tomorrow the same 3 keys answer differently." www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwvB...
Control of electrically evoked neural activity in human visual cortex using deep learning
YouTube video by Pehuen Moure
www.youtube.com
August 8, 2026 at 7:17 AM
"And tomorrow the same 3 keys answer differently." www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwvB...
You just sent me down the rabbit hole... Unsurprisingly, the Wikipedia page for the US transmitter is extremely detailed: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWVB
WWVB - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
May 24, 2026 at 3:43 PM
You just sent me down the rabbit hole... Unsurprisingly, the Wikipedia page for the US transmitter is extremely detailed: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWVB