Happy 80th birthday Speaking Clock !!

[electronicskip]

Happy birthday the speaking clock (TIM)
80 years old today born on 24th July 1936

http://home.bt.com/news/bt-life/hist...11364074797681

[dave walsh]

The woman who is the latest choice was on at the end of the Breakfast Show [BBC1] just before 9am this morning. She said that the service was still more reliable than others because it wasn't subject to slight errors or variations, as with a Satellite source for example!

Dave W

[Nicklyons2]

Radio 4 had an half hour piece on 16th July - "A brief history of TIM". Overproduced to death, lots of echo added, all the voices talking over one another etc. They did manage to squeeze about 5 minutes of technical explanation into it though.

[Pellseinydd]

And the old 'Pat Simmonds' GPO clock of the 1960/70/80's is still running on the old Speaking Clock code 8081 before it became 123.
Try 01352 83 8081 - might even be included in your free call package as it is a normal geographic number and not a 'premium rate' 08... number.

[Aub]

Just tried that number. Works ok and is part of my call package

I wonder why they've kept that going - PR stunt?

Cheers

Aub

[G3VFB_Anton]

It always 'amuses' me that despite "..The Speaking Clock is accurate to within 30 microseconds.." if you listen to analogue radio stations there is a short time delay and on digital radio the delay is significant - that's modern technology for you

[Herald1360]

How accurate is the timing on the 01352 83 8081 ? Is it run to the same standard as the original?

I believe the "they" isn't BT, but private enterprise by vintage telephone enthusiasts.

[Dave Moll]

I'm sure member Pellseinydd will confirm one way or the other, but that number looks like one his as part of the CNet family. If so, it will presumably be the same one accessible from CNet itself, and will be rather more accurate than radio/televison broadcast time signals.

... and yes, I too was very disappointed by the radio programme with all its "special" effects drowning out any actual content.

[julie_m]

Originally Posted by G3VFB_Anton

If you listen to analogue radio stations there is a short time delay and on digital radio the delay is significant - that's modern technology for you

I suppose that means that London is no longer the last place on Earth to hear the chimes of Big Ben?

[Pellseinydd]

Originally Posted by Dave Moll

I'm sure member Pellseinydd will confirm one way or the other, but that number looks like one his as part of the CNet family. If so, it will presumably be the same one accessible from CNet itself, and will be rather more accurate than radio/televison broadcast time signals.

<snip>.

They are both fed by the same source which is linked to the NTP source so should be as good as anything else.

Also another Speaking Clock is available on a PSTN number on another exchange on the road between Aberdeen and Braemar - 01330 55 8081.

I was recently phoned by someone (a GPO Strowger exchange engineer) who lives a couple of miles from a certain big castle on the same road. He recognised the code as being the old Speaking Clock code and 'her' voice and said he would give her the number next time he saw her! I'm in the process of having an 020 number setup just in case I get moved - to the Tower

[Oldcodger]

Might get a laugh- Once on a job, I was asked in all seriousness if the lady on TIM got fed up of the job.

[Pellseinydd]

Not quite as odd; as you might think

See the start of this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp4zlMZVcmM

And still running in the Telecoms Museum in Melbourne and accessible on CNet by dialling 010 61 3 1194 from the UK for free !!