Reception - prevailing conditions.

[Ian Field]

For a few days now, Freeview has been a bit iffy (SG6) - I've also noticed
one of my MSF60 radio controlled clocks hasn't been updating properly.

[Brian Gaff]

I'd have thought these are not connected. I assume the clock still uses
frequencies measured in a few tens of Khz whereas the tv is UHF etc.
Unless of course your entire house has been put in a tin box.

Brian

--
From the Bed of Brian Gaff.
The email is valid as bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
Blind user.
"Ian Field" <gangprob...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:gOKmt.2987$bo....@newsfe27.iad...

[Ian Field]

"Brian Gaff" <bri...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:kng1mt$8t6$1...@dont-email.me...

> I'd have thought these are not connected. I assume the clock still uses
> frequencies measured in a few tens of Khz

The name "MSF60" is a bit of a giveaway really.

[Steve Thackery]

Ian Field wrote:

> The name "MSF60" is a bit of a giveaway really.

Hang on, it's called MSF, isn't it? Where did the 60 come from?

--
SteveT

[Ian Field]

"Steve Thackery" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:29WdncItzs92JwbM...@bt.com...

> Ian Field wrote:
>
>> The name "MSF60" is a bit of a giveaway really.
>
> Hang on, it's called MSF, isn't it? Where did the 60 come from?

You might just as wonder where the 77 comes from on the Frankfurt 77kHz
DCF77.

[Steve Thackery]

Ian Field wrote:

> You might just as wonder where the 77 comes from on the Frankfurt
> 77kHz DCF77.

No: 'DCF77' is correct. The call sign for the UK transmitter is 'MSF',
*not* 'MSF60'.

There is no such callsign as 'MSF60'.

--
SteveT

[Ian Field]

"Steve Thackery" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote in message

news:Rt6dneN9SrUFQQbM...@bt.com...

I never said it was a callsign.

http://g7kse.co.uk/tag/msf60/

[Woody]

"Steve Thackery" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote in message

news:Rt6dneN9SrUFQQbM...@bt.com...

Also bear in mind that whilst MSF was originally at Rugby, when
BT lost the contract some years ago and it was taken over by VT
(part of Babcocks) they moved transmission to Anthorn in North
Cumbria which significantly weakened the signal further south.
Here in HG I used to be able to get Rugby anywhere, but now I
have to position the clock in a specific direction on a
north-facing windowsill. The OP was in Stevenage (SG) so he may
have even more difficulty - DCF is probably stronger there!

It is also worth looking on the NPL web site
(www.npl.co.uk/time/msf) as MSF seems to be taken down for
maintenance far far more often than the (usual) once a year when
it was at Rugby. I know, I get a warning e-mail every time!



--
Woody

harrogate three at ntlworld dot com

[Ian Field]

"Woody" <harro...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:kngp0r$n8e$1...@dont-email.me...

> "Steve Thackery" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:Rt6dneN9SrUFQQbM...@bt.com...
>> Ian Field wrote:
>>
>>> You might just as wonder where the 77 comes from on the Frankfurt
>>> 77kHz DCF77.
>>
>> No: 'DCF77' is correct. The call sign for the UK transmitter is 'MSF',
>> *not* 'MSF60'.
>>
>> There is no such callsign as 'MSF60'.
>>
>
> Also bear in mind that whilst MSF was originally at Rugby, when BT lost
> the contract some years ago and it was taken over by VT (part of Babcocks)
> they moved transmission to Anthorn in North Cumbria which significantly
> weakened the signal further south. Here in HG I used to be able to get
> Rugby anywhere, but now I have to position the clock in a specific
> direction on a north-facing windowsill.

The clock over my desk cant easily be re-aligned - I filed a small hole
where the case joins for the wires and mounted the LC on one end with a blob
of Blu-tak.

Before that it was unreliable all the time, now its only iffy in the present
weather conditions.

The OP was in Stevenage (SG) so he may

Stevenage is SG1.

> have even more difficulty - DCF is probably stronger there!

The dial clocks might be DCF - so far no problems with them.

I'm assuming anything with a "CET" switch on the back is DCF.

[Bill Wright]

Ian Field wrote:

> The clock over my desk cant easily be re-aligned - I filed a small hole
> where the case joins for the wires and mounted the LC on one end with a
> blob of Blu-tak.
>
> Before that it was unreliable all the time, now its only iffy in the
> present weather conditions.

Is is being affected by rain? Is that what you mean? Does your roof leak?

Bill

[Steve Thackery]

Ian Field wrote:

> I never said it was a callsign.
>
> http://g7kse.co.uk/tag/msf60/

The fact is clear: 'MSF' has never properly been called 'MSF60', and
some radio amateur calling it that doesn't make it so. It's wrong,
simple as that.

--
SteveT

[Brian Gaff]

I blame the mutant haggis myself.


Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Bill Wright" <bi...@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:kngv0p$713$1...@speranza.aioe.org...

[Paul Ratcliffe]

On Tue, 21 May 2013 22:34:07 +0100, Woody <harro...@ntlworld.com>
wrote:

> It is also worth looking on the NPL web site
> (www.npl.co.uk/time/msf) as MSF seems to be taken down for
> maintenance far far more often than the (usual) once a year when
> it was at Rugby. I know, I get a warning e-mail every time!

It was down for maintenance quite a lot when it was at Rugby as
well. Usually most of the day on the first Tuesday of the month
and for an extended period some time over the summer as I remember.
Quite why it needed all that I really don't know. No other
transmitters seem to need it.

[charles]

In article <slrnkpp16j...@news.pr.network>,

stay greasing?

--
From KT24

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

[ne...@address.invalid]

On Tue, 21 May 2013 22:49:47 +0100, "Ian Field"
<gangprob...@ntlworld.com> wrote:

>
>
>"Woody" <harro...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>news:kngp0r$n8e$1...@dont-email.me...
>> "Steve Thackery" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
>> news:Rt6dneN9SrUFQQbM...@bt.com...
>>> Ian Field wrote:
>>>
>>>> You might just as wonder where the 77 comes from on the Frankfurt
>>>> 77kHz DCF77.
>>>
>>> No: 'DCF77' is correct. The call sign for the UK transmitter is 'MSF',
>>> *not* 'MSF60'.
>>>
>>> There is no such callsign as 'MSF60'.
>>>
>>
>> Also bear in mind that whilst MSF was originally at Rugby, when BT lost
>> the contract some years ago and it was taken over by VT (part of Babcocks)
>> they moved transmission to Anthorn in North Cumbria which significantly
>> weakened the signal further south. Here in HG I used to be able to get
>> Rugby anywhere, but now I have to position the clock in a specific
>> direction on a north-facing windowsill.
>
>The clock over my desk cant easily be re-aligned - I filed a small hole
>where the case joins for the wires and mounted the LC on one end with a blob
>of Blu-tak.
>
>Before that it was unreliable all the time, now its only iffy in the present
>weather conditions.
>

Since it's entirely ground-wave reception, it should not be noticeably
affected by atmospheric or weather conditions - unless perhaps you
live on a flood plain.

[Davey]

On Wed, 22 May 2013 01:07:09 +0100
"Brian Gaff" <Bri...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

> I blame the mutant haggis myself.
>
>
> Brian
>

Was that the subject of a film? If not, it should be.
--
Davey.

[R. Mark Clayton]

"Brian Gaff" <bri...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:kng1mt$8t6$1...@dont-email.me...

I think we are at a time of maximum solar activity and a huge flare was
reported last week (it takes a little time for the particles to cross 93M
miles).

[Ian Field]

"R. Mark Clayton" <nospam...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:QaOdnazHxs4ilADM...@bt.com...

Usually when reception gets a bit flaky, the Humax is better for the higher
channel numbers and the Digifusion best for the low ones - ATM they're both
pretty bad regardless of channel number.

[Steve Terry]

Who cares what it's called as long as you understand what he means

MSF on 60kHz

and one of my MSF clocks also isn't updating, could be local VLF
interference?

Steve Terry
--
Get a free GiffGaff PAYG Sim and �5 bonus after activation at:
http://giffgaff.com/orders/affiliate/gfourwwk

[Steve Thackery]

Steve Terry wrote:

> Who cares what it's called as long as you understand what he means

Because in a sarcastic reply to Brian he said this: "The name 'MSF60'
is a bit of a giveaway". Unfortunately, by trying to be a smartarse
he's made a fool of himself; it has never been named 'MSF60'.

--
SteveT

[ne...@address.invalid]

On Thu, 23 May 2013 23:31:19 +0100, "Steve Terry" <gfou...@tesco.net>
wrote:

>Steve Thackery wrote:
>> Ian Field wrote:
>>
>>> I never said it was a callsign.
>>>
>>> http://g7kse.co.uk/tag/msf60/
>>
>> The fact is clear: 'MSF' has never properly been called 'MSF60', and
>> some radio amateur calling it that doesn't make it so. It's wrong,
>> simple as that.
>>
>Who cares what it's called as long as you understand what he means
>
>MSF on 60kHz
>
>and one of my MSF clocks also isn't updating, could be local VLF
>interference?
>

Yes. It's that new 6G stuff :)

[Ian Field]

"Steve Thackery" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote in message

news:9vudnWhs9YK2AAPM...@bt.com...

At least smartarses are smarter than self appointed net kops.

[Steve Thackery]

Ian Field wrote:

> At least smartarses are smarter than self appointed net kops.

Yeah, too right! I hate net kops. Do you know of any in this group?

--
SteveT

[Ian Field]

"Steve Thackery" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote in message

news:NaWdnasFXrt5CQLM...@bt.com...

> Ian Field wrote:
>
>> At least smartarses are smarter than self appointed net kops.
>
> Yeah, too right! I hate net kops. Do you know of any in this group?

And you don't even know you're doing it - sheesh!

[Steve Thackery]

Ian Field wrote:

> And you don't even know you're doing it - sheesh!

I don't think you've any idea what "self-appointed net cops" are. They
try to tell people what they are and aren't allowed to do. I've never
done that, and I invite you to search for as long as you like - you
won't find a single instance. Go on - take a look.

What I have done - to you - is proved that you were mistaken about the
term "MSF60", there being no such term. That isn't remotely net
coppery, it's just making a fool of you. I've been made a fool of
plenty of times. Deal with it.

--
SteveT

[Ian Field]

"Steve Thackery" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote in message

news:jdWdnZwSIPdxXwLM...@bt.com...

You were having a go at me for perceived sarcasm at Brian.

You're a self appointed net kop - deal with it.

[cmwb]

"Steve Thackery" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote in message

news:jdWdnZwSIPdxXwLM...@bt.com...
....

> done that, and I invite you to search for as long as you like - you
> won't find a single instance. Go on - take a look.
>
> What I have done - to you - is proved that you were mistaken about the
> term "MSF60", there being no such term. >

> --
> SteveT

Err Steve, a Google search does return results for MSF60, and here is one of
them -
http://www.compuphase.com/mp3/h0420_timecode.htm

Regards
cmwb

[Steve Thackery]

cmwb wrote:

> Err Steve, a Google search does return results for MSF60, and here is
> one of them - http://www.compuphase.com/mp3/h0420_timecode.htm

It's wrong. A google search will return results for almost anything.
There is only one definitive source: the National Physical Laboratory.
Here it is:

http://www.npl.co.uk/science-technology/time-frequency/time/products-and-services/msf-radio-time-signal

or you might prefer this:

http://www.npl.co.uk/server.php?q=msf&controller=search&action=index


--
SteveT

[Steve Thackery]

Ian Field wrote:

> You were having a go at me for perceived sarcasm at Brian.

Naaah, sorry, mate, but it doesn't fly. You might be better to say "Oh
yes, you are right, thanks for pointing that out."

--
SteveT

[Ian Field]

"Steve Thackery" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote in message

news:YPidnZ25xftlcgLM...@bt.com...

Why would I do that when you're not!

[Steve Thackery]

Ian Field wrote:

> Why would I do that when you're not!

Take a look at the website for the National Physical Laboratory. The
time standard transmitter isn't, and never was, called 'MSF60'.

Or were you talking about the "net cop" thing? Well, you'd be wrong
again. You can be as sarcastic as you like to Brian for all I care -
he doesn't need me to defend him, so I'm not doing any "net copping".
Rather, I loved the irony of you correcting somebody in a smart-alec
way whilst yourself being wrong, which is why I mocked you. Hoist by
your own petard, and all that. It's a shame you aren't emotionally
mature enough to admit it.

Anyway, I can't believe anybody but us two are remotely interested in
this ridiculous discussion, so I'll stop right now and cordially invite
you to have the last word, viz:

--
SteveT

[Ian Field]

"Davey" <da...@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:kni8r5$ngc$6...@n102.xanadu-bbs.net...

Nah - zombie haggis.

[Grimly Curmudgeon]

On Wed, 22 May 2013 10:05:08 +0100, charles
<cha...@charleshope.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>stay greasing?

Said the skipper to the engineman.

[ne...@address.invalid]

On Wed, 22 May 2013 10:05:08 +0100, charles
<cha...@charleshope.demon.co.uk> wrote:

A little bird tells me that the stays are currently being greased at a
main TV site which is in the middle of a field of xxxx. The farmer has
demanded £50k compensation from yyyyyy for damage to his crop by the
work being carried out.