[jc]

David, I guess the chart finishes when it does just so they can claim to play the UK's official number one before the Pepsi chart plays it to 26629158 commercial stations.

Looking at the studio Mary-Ann's in, I really like the date/time clock on the wall at the top. Where the hell do these broadcast professionals get their clocks from? Other than that only the scary new phone system and the flat mixing desk to the left of the presenter looks new. That and the banners on the back wall, I'm sure there's more of them than there were. - jc

[Guest]

The phones are customly made for the bbc. They're the same in every radio studio, tv production gallery, etc.

Rich

[Funky Drummer]

Above was me. Forgot to sign in. Sorry.

Rich

[Funky Drummer]

...and what I actualy meant to say was that the clocks are customly made, not the phones. (Dunno whay I said phones in the first place).

Rich

[Funky Drummer]

The clocks are "atomic clocks" by the way. They're accurate to something like 0.001 of a second in a thousand years. (I know that seems outrageous, but it really is something like that). Dunno how they work (and I don't really care) and they're all (I think) hooked up to the Greenwich time thingummy or something like that (like if you buy those remote control clocks).

Rich

[kendra k]

atomic clocks depend upon the wavelength of a specific atom of a certain element. (i forget which one it is) but it's based upon the vibrations of that element and the lenght of the wave emitted.

it's all slowly coming back to me.

[Chris]

He means they're radio clocks picking up a signal from Rugby. Atomic clocks are, as Kendra infers, radioactive and expensive.

[Funky Drummer]

No, I did mean that they are atomic clocks, not radio clocks.

[Funky Drummer]

Plus, radioactivity is due to the decaying of an atom so that it emitts either alpha or beta particles or gamma rays. You can have atomic clocks without housing atoms that decay or, indeed, ones that use a radioactive substance.

[Funky Drummer]

Basics about the Beeb's Atomic Clocks:

Today, the Corporation (BBC) keeps its own time with two atomic clocks sited in the basement of Broadcasting House. These are kept in step by signals received from the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system and by information received from the Rugby radio transmitter facility which is operated by BT Aeronautical and Maritime under contract to the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).

About the new Atomic Clocks:

CLICK HERE

Rich~

[Chris]

The clocks on the walls in studios are radio clocks.

[Funky Drummer]

I've just realised that we're starting to have a debate about clocks. I need to get out more. Damn school holidays - they keep you out of touch with the world!

Rich

[Adam]

god- u guys really need to find something else better to talk about...

[David]

I think the first topic of this post was sad enough (and yes I am sad, I took part) but the clock conversation is getting very sad :p Although I read it all so YES I AM SAD!

Who cares how the clocks are powered, although personally I think they are radio clocks too (sad, I am taking part in the conversation) but as far as I know, my clock on my computer is exactly right and it is powered by connecting to the time server which gets its time from the radio transmitter in rugby.

[Eddie]

Here is an extract from one day in themonthly Rado1 Schedule from August last year. It shows who uses what studios (just to show I'm not making stuff up)

[Matt]

The clocks on the walls in studios are radio clocks.

Damn, I could have sworn they used those lemon and spud powered LCD clocks.

[Funky Drummer]

Now THAT would be a great money-saving tip for the BBC (no, not McDonalds, the BBC)

[jc]

The clocks are customly made for the bbc.

By which company? - jc

[Uglybob]

god- u guys really need to find something else better to talk about...

I find your attempted moves to try and rile people a little bit pathetic really.

[Funky Drummer]

The clocks are customly made for the bbc.

By which company? - jc

not a clue, but you can be certain that

A) They'll be bloody expensive

and

B) You won't be able to buy one.

Rich

[Matt]

I bet they order them out of the innovations catalogue

[David]

I bet they order them out of the innovations catalogue

Item 22: "Radio 1 Replica Clocks"
Description: Exact replicas of the clocks used in Radio 1 studios. Even features mince pie stains from when Moyles threw mince pies at the studio clock.

:p

[Funky Drummer]

Now THAT would sell

Rich

[David]

I'd buy one - but then again, I do need a clock for my room!

[Funky Drummer]

I wouldn't. I'm poor