Howdy,
We’re in the process of upgrading our telescopes in various ways, including
deploying spiffy new GNSS clocks. While rummaging around the shelves of old
equipment, I came across the WWVB time code generators that had been retired
themselves a dozen years ago or more (in favor of NTP and/or GPS equipment).
These are Kinemetrics/Truetime model 60-dc. They appears to power up ok to the
point of displaying the colons and flickering keep-alive LEDs (see p.51 of
http://www.to-way.com/tf/60dc.pdf). It would be cool to bring them back to
life, if only to serve as retro wall clocks.
It turns out the old 60 KHz antenna (same manufacturer, model A-60FS) was still
mounted on the building, but I wasn’t able to get either of the two devices to
lock when connected to it. The antenna had been repaired at some point, so I
have no confidence that it's still in working condition after many years out in
the weather after the case had been opened.
Now I’ve come across this notice from Spectracom:
http://spectracom.com/sites/default/files/document-files/Pending%20Changes%20in%20the%20WWVB%20Radio%20Signal%20Affects%20Precision%20Frequency%20and%20Timing%20Reference.pdf
which suggests that other vendors’ devices might also "no longer operate as
intended as a result of the WWVB signal change” after July 2012.
If so, bummer!
If not, suggestions for acquiring a functioning antenna?
Many thanks for any information on these or similar devices. I should note that
another telescope elsewhere on the mountain appears to still be using a Datum
model 9100 (via Forth software!) nightly (though with WWV, not WWVB?)* Does
anybody have a manual for that unit?
Rob Seaman
University of Arizona
—
* there were even some IRIG wall clocks
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