NBS time to the Western Hemisphere by satellite

As a complement to the present time and frequency services of WWV, WWVH, and WWVB, the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) is now providing a satellite-disseminated time code using the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (Goes) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The time code is referenced to the NBS time scale, giving coordinated universal time (UTC). In addition to the usual information of day of year, hours, minutes, seconds, and the UTl correction the time code contains the satellite's current position for use in path delay calculations. The time signals are relayed to the entire Western Hemisphere from two geostationary satellites on a full-time basis except during brief periods of solar eclipses occurring during the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. The time code, originally intended for use by environmental monitoring platforms, is easily accessible by anyone using relatively simple, commercially available equipment. Physically small antennas (30 cm x 30 cm x 1cm) are typical. The generation, satellite relay, and recovery of these signals is discussed. Results obtained with commercial receiving equipment are included.