Figuring out the ZULU time

[K7MEM]

If your running a Windows 7 system, you don't have to download anything. The clock in the task bar can contain two clocks. I have the local time and UTC displayed. Zulu is UTC and is not affected by daylight savings. Neither is Arizona time, which makes conversion really easy. I am always UTC-7. Although I have in the past been at UTC+0 and UTC+1.

[N0IU]

I am a little confused in figuring out the time expressed in ZULU. If a contest runs from 1400Z to 2300Z what is the actual LOCAL time for people in California? Or in the NY area?

It depends on whether or not Daylight Saving time is in effect.

[KE5IUN]

Also, if you have a smart phone you can grab a free app that will tell you what UTC is based on whatever your current location is. I use "UTC " on my iPhone, Im sure there is a variant for android if thats what you use.
73!

[K8AXW]

SWMAN:  Bean time also extends air time.

[N4NYY]

I am a little confused in figuring out the time expressed in ZULU. If a contest runs from 1400Z to 2300Z what is the actual LOCAL time for people in California? Or in the NY area?

It depends on whether or not Daylight Saving time is in effect.

That is what confuses me. Whether I am in -4 or -5 time depending on DST. HRD had a Zulu time display. Hamclock also works. No questions any more.

[AA4PB]

Spring forward, fall back. In the spring the clocks move forward so the Eastern time gets closer to UTC or -4 hours. In the fall the clocks move back so the Eastern time gets more distant from UTC or -5 hours.

[AC5UP]

That is what confuses me. Whether I am in -4 or -5 time depending on DST.

The sun rises in the east.   As does the moon.    Why ??

Understand that and timezones will make more sense....... Including the + and - offsets from GMT.

[K7KBN]

Amy:  There is no "up" in space.

Penny:  Then how come the sun comes "up" every morning?

[N3DT]

If your running a Windows 7 system, you don't have to download anything. The clock in the task bar can contain two clocks..

Thanks, I didn't notice that.  But the alphaclock is nice too, but I haven't installed that one, don't have to now.

[K7MH]

Eventually you will just know what the UTC or local time conversion is without thinking about it.
It will take a while though.

[N6AJR]

I always get corn-fuzzed on this one so I have 2 digital clocks on the desk in the shack.  The one is set to show current time and day in pacific  time for California. ( with or with out daylight savings time included.) The other clock is set to show current day and time in  Zulu ( Or UTC or GMT depending on your age of reccognition ).  So the one I use to tell local time and the other I use for filling out logs and cards.  It works for me.  Both clocks were purchased from MFJ, and were fairly cheap.

[N1UK]

I have an MFJ 24hour clock set to GMT and a standard wall clock set to my local time.  My ham pc clock is set to GMT and that helps avoid logging errors  where the next GMT  calendar day starts at 8:00 pm local summer time and 7:00 pm local winter time.

As a quick look up  guide I created a 3 column word table with a GMT column, Summer Time column and Winter Time column for my QTH. I have a a data row for 00:00 GMT through to 23:00.



Mark N1UK

[W6CD]

Well, what about half time?


klc

The microwave people?   

[KD0REQ]

we have it easy in the US.  if you're in central time zone, add 6 hours to get Zulu.  5 in Daylight Savings Time.  adjust as necessary in other time zones.

it's even easier in England, add 0.

[KD4LLA]

I use an "add-on" called "FoxClocks".  It shows up unobtrusively in the lower part of your browser window, like a taskbar.  I have six time zones plus GMT/ UTC showing right now.  It adjusts itself for daylight or standard time.

Mike