G8SZX

This allowed me to replay the recording and listen, decode and process it as one would the original signal. I extracted the 10:00hrs change from Rugby to Anthorn and noted that the recording gave –53dBm from Rugby and –63dBm from Anthorn so making a 10dB fall in strength.

To answer Jim’s query, it would seem from the recording that the test periods were BST, ie UTC+1hr . So I assume the change over will take place at 00:00 BST, unless anyone can advise otherwise.

Feedback from other monitors.

Jim near Taunton

1132 BST 26 microVolts from Anthorn

1340 BST 44.2 microVolts from Rugby

Total confusion about the times on the NPL site. Are they UTC or BST ? I have to assume they were local.

73 de Jim
(MPJ)

Brian Bush Poole Dorset via (MM) Monitoring Monthly Yahoogroup

Hi All,

The MSF signal from Rugby, here at Poole, Dorset is 5-9+15db But the Anthorn signal is only 5-7 at best, so not such a good service, however DCF77 in Germany was only about 5-4 at the time of testing (10:00) and the clocks I have that use that station have shown no signs of problems, so on that basis 5-7 must be OK.

Brian Bush

Alan G8ETU Torbay Devon via MM

Hi All

I can't quote sig levels here in Torbay Devon, but both my clocks are working. A query though. The one tuned to DCF 77 changed to summer time before I got up on sunday morning but the one tuned to Rugby didn't change until the following day. I seem to remember the same thing last year!
Any thoughts?

Mike Brogan via MM

I only have MSF clocks here (nr Cambridge) - all have been working fine although I have no means of checking signal strength (waves just outside the audible spectrum have never appealed to me :) ) - however I can say that all the clocks (5) had made the summertime change when I got up at 0800 (or was that 0900!) on Sunday morning so that one looks like a peculiarity at your location.......

Mike........

Hi Mike

Thanks for your response. This particular clock is a "TCM" radio controlled weather station. The fact that all your clocks changed on day one makes my clock particular to say the least. I cannot see the location has any bearing on the situation, if it did that would suggest that I'm listening to different transmitter?

Regards Alan G8ETU

From Paul via MM

Hello Martyn and list,
Interesting discussion re MSF. Along with several other members of ENIGMA 2000 I use a clock controlled by DCF77 [Frankfurt].

The reason for this is that I bought a job lot for £2.99 and circulated them amongst the active members of E2k. As you suggest they do sample - in this case on every sixth hour. You stated that 'The MSF data format only gives about an hour's warning of an imminent change of time zone.........' Assuming you are talking about the seasonal advance of BST. The Time Zone does not change seasonally; rather the time merely advances within this zone.
The UK is in time zone Z, any seasonal advance of time is Z+1 to become BST.

73
Paul

So the next entry will be when Anthorn takes full responsibility for ensuring that the signal covers as well as if not better than Rugby did over the many years of operation.

Dave G8SZX

10:00 BST