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JerryBoBerry38 t1_ixoho21 wrote

Reply to comment by graveybrains in Alarm clock lasted over two decades and somehow knows when daylight savings is still by VapeMySemen

And the station WWV (no B on the end) broadcasts the signal on several high frequency bandwidths. If you have a shortwave radio you can listen to those.

How I've set my watches since the late 80's.

https://www.nist.gov/pml/time-and-frequency-division/time-distribution/radio-station-wwv

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loganwachter t1_ixou18h wrote

There’s also a number you can dial to get the time. I use it to make test calls to verify phones are working at work. (202)762-1401

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ArseholeAlexa t1_ixowb07 wrote

That is so weird, I have that number saved in my phone, and I decided to call it tonight and the computer is not picking up and saying “on the beep, the time is————-“

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loganwachter t1_ixowe3w wrote

I’ve noticed recently it’s been ringing for about 20 seconds and then answers.

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ArseholeAlexa t1_ixown4a wrote

HUH. It just worked after you posted and I called it back.

“US Naval Observatory master clock, at the tone, Eastern Standard time, 22 hours 29 minutes 30 seconds”

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loganwachter t1_ixowqt3 wrote

Just called from one of my phones. Rang forever. Called from the other and it answered immediately. Seems it has a mind of its own.

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ArseholeAlexa t1_ixowz2m wrote

“22 hours 32 minutes exactly.”

Welp, it seems to be working just fine. It must have a small queue of phone calls coming in.

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MDCRP t1_ixqu8de wrote

Or it got the reddit hug

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mr_john_steed t1_ixpfmlk wrote

I tried it and just heard a voice whispering "SEVEN DAYS". Is that bad....?

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jam3s2001 t1_ixqe9j3 wrote

You will find out in a week, I guess. Might be best to avoid any old wells in the meantime.

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milesbeats t1_ixqip9k wrote

Is this popcorn you are speaking of ??

You can spell out P.O.P.C.O.R.N on any handset I remember regardless of area code and you get the time

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ArseholeAlexa t1_ixqjnfv wrote

I’ve never heard of the popcorn thing before. I have no idea.

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milesbeats t1_ixqk3o6 wrote

I'm not even fucking with you this was a huge deal .. it was hella fun... What time is it .. then we would sneak to a phone and call popcorn ... The current time is ... Lol memories

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ArseholeAlexa t1_ixqm769 wrote

Well shoot, it was shut down in 2007. That’s sad as heck.

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ipsumdeiamoamasamat t1_ixq35ev wrote

I didn’t know this existed. We used to have a local version of it, but the telephone company ended that years ago.

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awarmguinness t1_ixroz7p wrote

There was a number like that growing up, I could dial WEATHER for the weather and 777-4647 for the time, it would say "Calling long distance? Make a list of what you want to talk about, you'll save more in less time. The time is..." Still remember that shit....

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loganwachter t1_ixrphfv wrote

That would’ve been a locally controlled device in a phone central office near you. Ours was 774-9998 and the one at my grandparents house was 764-0105 I think. Both had different advertisement messages but the timekeepers voice was identical.

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goetheschiller t1_ixs86r3 wrote

Interesting! I wonder if the “at the tone” takes into account the inherent delay in the signal.

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XS4Me t1_ixpt17z wrote

> wrist watches

To be fair, wrist watches are now a days more jewelry than time keeping devices.

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tatanka01 t1_ixpxh8o wrote

>To be fair, wrist watches are now a days more computer than time keeping devices.

FTFY

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