About the time signal transmitter DCF77
The radio clock integrated into the base station receives
its radio signals from the time signal transmitter DCF77.
This broadcasts the precise and official time of the Federal
Republic of Germany on the long-wave frequency of 77.5 kHz.
The transmitter is located in Mainflingen near Frankfurt
am Main and, with its range of up to 2000 km, supplies the
majority of radio-controlled clocks in western Europe with
the necessary radio signals.
As soon as the base station is supplied with current, it
switches to receiving mode and searches for the signal
from the DCF77 transmitter. If the time signal is received in
sufficient strength, the display shows the date and time.
The base station switches on multiple times daily and
synchronises the time with the radio signal from the
DCF77 transmitter. In the event the signal is not received,
e.g. during a strong storm, the device continues to run
precisely and then switches to receiving mode again at the
next scheduled time.
70
WS 1911 weather station