Time synchronization over radio is the procedure used for time transfer performed by humans over two-way radio circuits, including voice, telegraph, and teletype.[1]
ACP 124(A) is the earliest Allied military document of the Cold War to define a time transfer method. It consists of:
| Station | Transmission | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Request | ZUA | "Request a time signal now (or at ______)" | |
| Reply | ZUA 1500 | "Time signal will be transmitting at 1500." The numerals indicating the time will be followed by a 5-second dash, terminating exactly at the time indicated. |
| Station | Transmission | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Request | QTR | "Request a time signal now (or at ______)" | |
| Reply | QTR 1500 | "Time signal will be transmitting at 1500." The numerals indicating the time will be followed by a 5-second dash, terminating exactly at the time indicated. |
ACP 125(A) describes the format:
| Station | Transmission | |
|---|---|---|
| Request | "Request a time signal now" or "Request time signal at _____." | |
| Reply | "When I say 'TIME' it will be exactly 1500. 15 seconds, 10 seconds, 5-4-3-2-1 TIME 1500." |
Stations without the ability to acquire a time signal accurate to at least one second should request a time check at the start of every shift, or once a day minimum. Stations may ask the NCS for a time check by waiting for an appropriate pause, keying up and stating your call sign, and then using the prowords "REQUEST TIME CHECK, OVER" when the NCS calls on you. Otherwise, you may ask any station that has access to any of the above time signals for a time check.
Once requested, the sending station will state the current UTC time plus one minute, followed by a countdown as follows:
This is Net Control, TIME CHECK WUN AIT ZERO TOO ZULU (pause) WUN FIFE SECONDS…WUN ZERO SECONDS…FIFE FOWER TREE TOO WUN…TIME WUN AIT ZERO TOO ZULU…OVERThe receiving station will then use the proword "TIME" as the synch mark, indicating zero seconds. If the local time is desired instead of UTC, substitute the time zone code "JULIETT" for "ZULU".
Instead of providing time checks on an individual basis, the NCS should give advance notice of a time check by stating, for example, "TIME CHECK AT 0900 JULIETT", giving all stations sufficient time to prepare their clocks and watches for adjustment. A period of at least five minutes is suggested.
ACP 126(C): CommunicationCP 168s Instructions—Teletypewriter (Teleprinter) Procedures[3] no longer describes the format
ACP 126(A) and possibly (B) described the format:
| Station | Transmission | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Request | ZUA | "Request a time signal now (or at ______)" | |
| Reply | ZUA 1500, 5-4-3-2-1-0. |
ACP 129: Communication Instructions—Visual Signaling Procedures originally documented the visual signalling procedure for time transfer. Subsequently, ACP 129 was combined with ACP 168: Pyrotechnic Signals to become ACP 130(A):Communications Instructions—Signalling Procedures in the Visual Medium.[4]
| D06 (until answered) | K | |
| ZUJ | Flash | |
| ZUA | Flash | |
| 0845 (time zone) | Flash | |
| K | R | |
| Flash | ||
| D46 makes a timing signal | ||
| D06 (until answered) | K | |
| ZUA | Flash | |
| 0845 (time zone) | Flash | |
| 5 second flash | 5 second flash | |
| Flash | ||
ZUA means "Timing signal will be transmitted now (or at...)"
Flag TANGO, followed by two or four numerals, also signifies a time check.
| D46 makes | D06 makes | |
|---|---|---|
| D06 (until answered) | K | |
| Flash | ||
| Flag T | Flash | |
| 1645 (time zone) | Flash | |
| K | R | |
| Flash | ||
| (to execute) | ||
| D06 (until answered) | K | |
| IX's | IX's | |
| 5 second flash | 5 second flash | |
| Flash | ||
| F | ||
The time signal indicated is at the instant of execution or commencement of hauling down of the shape.