Shortwave time service

Radio broadcast time signals proved inadequate for scientific and technical needs as they were not permanent. To fill this gap, the United States inaugurated the WWV shortwave time service in 1923. This model was later replicated by many countries across every continent. The advantage of shortwave transmissions is their wide range. Reception however was not very reliable on account of high levels of disturbance and interference. Nevertheless, shortwave time signals are still an important means of disseminating time today. In 1951, a link by ultrashort waves was established between the PTT receiving station of Chatonnaye (FR) and the Neuchâtel Observatory. This ultrashort wave link made it possible for the quartz clocks at the Chatonnaye station to be linked up with the Observatory.