Beta (time signal)

Beta is a time signal service in the VLF range in Russia, operated by the Russian Navy. There are 6 transmitter stations, which take turns transmitting time signals and other communications.

Although the transmitters are active 24 hours a day, each transmits the time code one hour per day. Beginning on the hour is 25 minutes of 25.0 kHz, including morse code station identification and time code. This is followed by 5-minute intervals of 25.1, 25.5, 23.0 and 20.5 kHz. No time code is sent during the last quarter of an hour.

The Beta network
Beta consists of the following transmitters:

Frequency usage
The time code consists of a series of signals on multiple frequencies. Transmission starts on the hour. Each time a new frequency is selected, there is 1 minute of low power while the transmitter is adjusted, then full-power transmissions begin.

The transmitters are estimated to operate at 1000 kW, achieving 30–50 kW EIRP. (The difference is due to the low efficiency of antennas at this frequency, which must be much smaller than the 12 km wavelength.)

The time code consists of a series of carrier pulses: The hour or date is not coded.
 * Each 100 ms, a 25 ms burst of carrier is transmitted
 * Each second, a 100 ms burst of carrier is transmitted
 * Each 10 s, a 1 s burst of carrier is transmitted
 * Each minute, a 10 s burst of carrier is transmitted

Most of the stations were built in the 1970s. RJH63, built later, has a different transmission: