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Andy Williss (VK5LA)

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Do you still use the WWV, WWVH or WWVB standard time and frequency stations to check or calibrate the frequency of your ham gear?
Posted: Nov 24, 2009 (1850 votes, 30 comments) by VK5LA

Survey Results

Yes.	69% (1284)
No.	14% (268)
I use a GPS disciplined frequency source now...	3% (53)
I use other methods...	4% (67)
I never bother to check...	7% (133)
What's WWV?	2% (45)

Survey Comments

DiDADA DiDADA DIDIDITDAH
I liked it better when WWV was in CW! Used to really like to tune in for the LEAP SECONDS. K0FF Posted by K0FF on February 16, 2010
don't forget the canadians
There are also the canadian versions as well they can be useful too. Posted by N0SOY on December 21, 2009
Relics of the past,
I am glad that WWV is still running around the world. If only to help me keep my boat anchors on frequency, but more so because I've become accustomed to hearing them. It's another part of the hobby that shouldn't be allowed to fade into oblivion.. Posted by KG4CLD on December 21, 2009
What's WWV
The now numbered 42 who say what's WWV scare me. What planet are they on? Posted by W7GWF on December 20, 2009
WWV use
I have used WWV since a novice in 1960. While I do have a GPS and a cell phone (the digital ones are tied to GPS std), I find it easiest to use WWV and for freq checking too. I have a primary freq std. in my home lab, not near my operating position. Just use to calibrate counters and o'scopes. Also when in car, traveling, WWV is best. The prop and WX reports help too. I also use CHU, especially when I can't hear WWV. I can now tell time in French! 73 Karl Posted by WA2KBZ on December 20, 2009
WWV
I have always used it for receiver calibration, propagation info and setting all my watches and clocks once per month. CHU is great also. Since I value accuracy and precision, these stations are indispensible! 73s de Hans Posted by WA1UFO on December 18, 2009
WWV and CHU
Using a WWVb synced clock but have loaded all their freq, in the many open memories on my receiver. Gives me an current rundown on band conditions. Great value!!! Posted by VE2JL on December 14, 2009
WWV/B/H
I use all three for the excellent reasons listed in previous comments. A radio w/o WWV is like...well, you know. Posted by N4QA on December 14, 2009
WWV
I use WWV for making sure my clock in the shack is correct and to get an idea of what the bands are doing. Posted by KE5WDI on December 11, 2009
WWV/WWVH
I use either of them, depending on the propagation at the time for solar info/prop forecasts/time/reaigning radios, and seeing which GPS sats are out of service. Very useful, and very interesting service the Institute of Standards and Technology supplies. de W4FJF Posted by W4FJF on December 9, 2009
Do you still use the WWV
While I do not use it often for frequency calibration purposes I have and do. I mainly use it for propagation indications and occasionally time if there has been a power outage. The far sighted bureaucrats here decided to turn off VNG (Australia's time and frequency standard) many years ago because nobody wanted to fund it, the Australian Navy took it over for a few years and also dropped it so I hope the USN keeps it going for us freeloaders. Posted by VK3AIF on December 8, 2009
And Propagation too
WWV Uses - Propagation 1. If I can hear the mans voice on WWV and its strong, I know Modesto CA to Fort Collins CO is open. 2. If I hear the woman’s voice on WWV and its strong, I know Hawaii to Modesto is open. 3. If 20 MHZ WWV is open, the upper bands are likely open. 4. If 5 and 10 are open but 15 and 20 mhz are dead quiet, then the lower bands are open. 5. Frequency, tones, time. Extremely useful all the time. Posted by W7AIT on December 5, 2009
WWV
I used to set my clocks by WWV but it is easier to get the time off of my cell phone or computer. Posted by WD4CHP on December 4, 2009
Nope.
I still use 'em to set clocks. But that's it. 73, Bill - WA8MEA http://HamRadioFun.com Posted by WA8MEA on December 3, 2009
WWV/H
Indeed it is one of the best ways to find out how the bands are and what is open and not... by using both you can see also if the long skip is in or short. I find that most hams don't use what they have to determine if their are open bands to use. Icom is working on using the markers its set up to determine which band is going to be good for you to do what... kinda getting brainless I think... The use of these don't require any real thought... but offer a lot of ideas Then comes the time and frequency standars. Posted by QRZDXR2 on December 3, 2009
WWV/H
Indeed it is one of the best ways to find out how the bands are and what is open and not... by using both you can see also if the long skip is in or short. I find that most hams don't use what they have to determine if their are open bands to use. Icom is working on using the markers its set up to determine which band is going to be good for you to do what... kinda getting brainless I think... The use of these don't require any real thought... but offer a lot of ideas Then comes the time and frequency standars. Posted by QRZDXR2 on December 3, 2009
WWV
It's one of the few things the US Govt spends my tax dollars on that actually gives real value. The others would be: NWS, Military, Interstate Highways, and NASA, not necessarily in that order. Years ago, I used to zero-beat my 100KHz crystal calibrators to WWV. Now I mainly just set my watch to WWV. Still use it to check to see that 10MHz on the receiver with a digital display is really 10 MHz. 73 de N8AUC Eric Posted by N8AUC on December 1, 2009
calibrate WWV
Use it to set the sound card for MMSSTV. In early day was only way to get accurate frequency at McMurdo Station using the LF receiver, URQ-10 freq standard and the chart recorder... Posted by WB7OND on November 27, 2009
K3 calibration
The Elecraft K3 features calibration capability to within the 1 Hz frequency resolution of the display, and I use the method described in the manual to check and adjust mine once in a while-- I use the WWV signal on 10 Mhz. Posted by NI0C on November 25, 2009
CHU
CHU moved from 7335 to 7850 kHz on 1 Jan 2009. Posted by W3MR on November 25, 2009

Signal generator that does a lot more than a frequency calibration.... Posted by WW5AA on November 25, 2009
How to Calibrate Your VFO Accurate to 1Hz With Frequency Standard Broadcast
The following methods enable accurate field check of receiver and transceiver calibration on receive, within 1 Hz by ear, without the need for special RF equipment. Go to this website: http://hflink.com/calibration/ METHOD #1 may be used only with HF SSB transceivers or receivers that have variable selectivity filters, passband tuning, IF tuning offset, or Twin Passband Tuning. Many modern ham radio transceivers have these features. METHOD #2 may be used with any HF SSB transceiver or receiver, but it requires a second shortwave receiver capable of AM reception. This method is the most accurate. Posted by KQ6XA on November 24, 2009
How to Calibrate Your VFO Accurate to 1Hz With Frequency Standard Broadcast
The following methods enable accurate field check of receiver and transceiver calibration on receive, within 1 Hz by ear, without the need for special RF equipment. Go to this website: http://hflink.com/calibration/ METHOD #1 may be used only with HF SSB transceivers or receivers that have variable selectivity filters, passband tuning, IF tuning offset, or Twin Passband Tuning. Many modern ham radio transceivers have these features. METHOD #2 may be used with any HF SSB transceiver or receiver, but it requires a second shortwave receiver capable of AM reception. This method is the most accurate. Posted by KQ6XA on November 24, 2009
WWV Standard Freq/Time
I use WWV to calibrate my PC's sound card for SSTV. The SSTV software I use (MMSSTV) employs the WWV signal to calibrate out picture slant due to sound card clock error. 73, Rick, WA6NUT Posted by WA6NUT on November 24, 2009
WWV Standard Freq/Time
Double ditto. I often use WWV to start our local nets. Some people can be a little picky if you don't start "right on time". Example, 10 seconds after the top of the hour I'd hear: "is there supposed to be a net tonight?" :-) Posted by KG6WLS on November 24, 2009
WWV
Rubidium standards are relatively inexpensive now, often under a hundred dollars. It's handy to have something that's good to one part in 10 to the tenth power right in the shack. Soon mine will be controlling an SDR. If WWV is unusable due to propagation, or GPS doesn't work for some reason, the rubidium is self contained and is more accurate than needed. Why? Just because I can! Posted by W1ITT on November 24, 2009

I use them for propagation and time information, but only very rarely for frequency, and not on a regular basis. Posted by K0RGR on November 24, 2009

Yes, ditto to everything K5EST said below. I don't use these resources a lot, but its nice to have them available for my occasional use... frequency, time, and propagation information. ... de Ed K7AAT Posted by K7AAT on November 24, 2009
WWV, WWVH or WWVB
Easy way to check propagation, get the correct time, get marine WX notices, calibrate equipment, and solar info. Also CHU/Canada on 3330 kHz, 7335 kHz, and 14670 kHz are available for use. ....de K5EST Posted by K5EST on November 24, 2009
WWV Standard Freq/Time
Lacking expensive frequency calibration equipment in most shacks, WWV standard frequencies of 2.5, 5, 10 and 15 MHz signals are the best alternatives for checks. These signals are very accurate indeed. However, in South East Asia (SEA), interference from BPM(China) is prevalent at these frequencies. One has to be patient to wait for favourable propagation for WWV into SEA to take advantage of the modulated audio frequency data. Posted by 9M2YP on November 24, 2009

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