5 Mounting the Antenna
5.2 Long Wave Signal Reception
5.2.1 Introduction
The longwave antenna
AW02
is a weatherproof and temperature resistant active antenna for outdoor use. It
includes a ferrite antenna for reception of the longwave signal, and an amplifier, both assembled in a plastic
housing. The standard version has been designed to receive the signal from the German longwave transmitter
DCF77
whose carrier frequency is 77.5 kHz. The DCF77 transmitter is operated by the German Physikalisch-
Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), and is located in Mainflingen near Frankfurt / Main. Its signal can be received
in Germany and adjacent countries.
The variant
AW02-MSF
is available for the longwave transmitter
MSF
which is located in Anthorn / U.K., and
transmits the time and frequency maintained by the U.K. National Physical Laboratory (NPL). The signal can
be received throughout the U.K., and in wide parts of Northern and Western Europe.
Another variant is the
AW02-WWVB
which has been adapted for the
WWVB
radio station which is located in
the United States near Fort Collins, Colorado, and is maintained by U.S. National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST).
Even though these antenna variants are slightly different according to the characteristics of the associated
transmitter, the basic requirements for installation are identical.
The longwave antennae can be operated with a cable length up to 300 meters (1000 ft) if standard RG58
coaxial cable is used. They are remotely powered by the receiver via the antenna cable, so no external power
supply is required near the location of the antenna if a direct coaxial cable is used.
Surge protectors
are optionally available and should be used in the antenna line to protect the receiver
from high voltages spikes e.g. due to lightning strikes close to the antenna.
For longer distances from the antenna to the receiver an optional amplifier can be used, which requires an
extra power supply. The
BLV
device is an amplifier with integrated surge protector.
Alternatively there is a
DCF Optical Antenna Link (DOAL)
available which uses a fiber optic connection
between the antenna and the receiver which allows for a length up to 2000 meters (6500 ft), providing a high
level of insulation and surge protection due to the optical transmission. Again, the default device has been de-
signed for DCF77, but there are also variants for MSF and WWVB available. Since the fiber optic connection
is unable to provide the antenna with DC current, an extra power supply is required in this case at the location
of the antenna.
Longwave receiver equipment from Meinberg has specifically been designed for Meinberg devices and is not
necessarily compatible with receivers from 3rd party manufacturers.
IMS - LANTIME M4000
Date: 2nd July 2020
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