"NIST will discontinue the dissemination of the U.S. time and frequency via
the NIST radio stations in Hawaii and Ft. Collins, CO. These radio stations
transmit signals that are used to synchronize consumer electronic products
like wall clocks, clock radios, and wristwatches, and may be used in other
applications like appliances, cameras, and irrigation controllers."
These devices don't stop working just because they don't synchronize with
the WWVB time signal. The internal quartz oscillators still function like
any other quartz-based time-piece. The only impact is that they will not
synchronize, typically in the middle of the night. Synchronization must
then occur manually, like any other clock or wristwatch.
Some enterprising individual with enough time on his/her hands could design
a transverter that produces the identical 60 kHz time code from a GPSDO.
My Trimble Thuderbolt provides date and time information that could be used
in the translation to a 60 kHz time signal. The 60 kHz signal only needs to
produce enough signal strength to synchronize the devices within a home or
office. OTOH, to obtain adequate coverage would likely invoke an FCC
limitation in the U.S.. But a subsequent PRM filed by a private party or by
the FCC on its own motion could lift the power restriction if WWVB
terminates operation.
Paul, W9AC
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