>The signal is broadcast by station WWVB near Fort Collins, Colo., and
 >has operated at 10,000 watts for more than 30 years.  It has now been
 >boosted to 23,000 watts, and plans call for an increase to between
 >40,000 and 50,000 watts, the agency said.
 NB> Since the doubling of power only increases signal strength by half an
 NB> S-unit, I can't imagine why they go to all that trouble. But then,
 NB> this IS the US Government we're talking about. :-) 
Actually, at 60kHz, the power increase seemed to make quite a difference
around here in tests I've run with one of those Radio Shack clocks.
Previously, only one location on the West side of my house (the side
facing WWVB) would pick up the time signal during most parts of the
day.  After the power increase, the clock has enough signal to set itself
almost anywhere in the house during the day.
Sometimes, a simple 3 dB change will make a BIG difference, especially at
such a low frequency where man-made noise is the big problem.
Like the article hinted, I think NIST is gearing up for the inclusion of
inexpensive receivers in all those things around the house that have
clocks like VCR's, microwave ovens, etc.  That way, if Mr. Clinton decides
to pull funding, there will be a public outcry when all of the "consumer"
clocks and other devices stop functioning automatically.  Not to mention
increasing the public awareness of the NIST.  I'm sure every instruction
book (like the one with the Radio Shack clock) will have a little blurb
about NIST and their atomic clock.
... Gargling twice daily is a good way to see if your neck leaks
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