Beep, beep, beep, beeeeeeeeep

Andybtsn · 15 May 2009 at 10:02

What do these beeps mean on the Radio? Just heard it on R1, just occured to me I have no idea what those beeps mean?

Carzy · 15 May 2009 at 10:04

I always thought it was a countdown to 6.00pm or whenever the news is on.

Andybtsn · 15 May 2009 at 10:05

Well it just came on before Jo Whiley came on, no news or anything

shifty_uk · 15 May 2009 at 10:17

I presumed it was just a countdown, also?

Whilst we're on the subject of Radio 1, the way the news reader will read out the headline, before playing the "radio oneeee" tune, followed by the same headline/article. Miniscule, I know......but it bugs me!

SideWinder · 15 May 2009 at 13:34

On Radio 4, at least when i listened to it once AGES ago...if it was 6pm, it beeped 6 times.

antijoke · 15 May 2009 at 13:47

I believe it is the countdown to the hour.

Nymins · 15 May 2009 at 16:08

They are called "Pips":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwich_Time_Signal

Abraham · 15 May 2009 at 16:20

andybtsn said:
Well it just came on before Jo Whiley came on, no news or anything

10am, they do it every morning. not every hour gets marked though

nands · 15 May 2009 at 16:58

If we are on about Radio 1 news readers when was the last time you heard one pronounce a T at the end of a word. It is almost as though they have been banned.

Going back to the OP definitely pips.

Shadez · 18 May 2009 at 11:05

yes it marks the hour, but its completly useless to a lot of people now because of the delay with digital radio.

Pigeon_Killer · 18 May 2009 at 13:29

I came in to this thread expecting news of an Alien prequel or sequel. I leave disappointed.

gillywibble · 18 May 2009 at 13:38

Shadez said:
yes it marks the hour, but its completly useless to a lot of people now because of the delay with digital radio.

I'm trying to think of an example of people who need to know the 'precise' time?

Genuine question, i'm sure there are some.

Weebull · 18 May 2009 at 13:42

Pigeon_Killer said:
I came in to this thread expecting news of an Alien prequel or sequel. I leave disappointed.

I thought it was 24 related.

Greenlizard0 · 18 May 2009 at 14:58

gillywibble said:
I'm trying to think of an example of people who need to know the 'precise' time?

Genuine question, i'm sure there are some.

I can't really think of any, but if they do then I it's a safe bet that they have other methods to get it.

Shadez · 18 May 2009 at 15:10

gillywibble said:
I'm trying to think of an example of people who need to know the 'precise' time?

Genuine question, i'm sure there are some.

so they can set their watch? some people like to keep them acurate.