La Crosse Technology WT-3128 User Manual
La Crosse Technology Clock
1
Model WT-3128
Radio Controlled Analog Clock
Quick Setup Instructions
Welcome to the world of atomic timekeeping technology. We hope you will enjoy the
convenience of never having to set your clock again and the confidence of knowing
exactly what time it is.
INTIAL SETUP
Insert 1 new AA, LR6 1.5 volt ALKALINE battery into the digital clock battery
compartment (the lower battery compartment) according to the polarity marked on
the case.
Insert 1 new battery AA, LR6 1.5 V into the analog clock battery compartment
according to the polarity marked on the case.
Once the battery is installed, the clock will begin searching for a signal. For the
initial setting, it is recommended to stand the clock in an upright position near a
window. Within five minutes the clock will either receive the WWVB signal and
set itself to the exact time (for the default Pacific Time Zone), or it will determine
that the signal is not receivable at its current location and time of day. The clock
will fast-forward the hands to the 4, 8, or 12 o’clock position immediately and
search for WWVB at a specific time until a signal is received.
Note: If the time is manually set, the clock will continue to periodically search for a
signal and automatically reset the hands when the signal is received.
Once the clock has received the WWVB signal, press the time zone button to
select your time zone. If you are in the Pacific Time Zone, no change is needed
and you are ready to hang your clock.
If you are not in the Pacific Time Zone, select your time zone by pressing one of
the four time zone buttons PT-Pacific Time, MT-Mountain Time, CT-Central Time,
ET-Eastern Time and holding this button down for 5 seconds. If multiple buttons
are pressed, the clock will set to the time zone selected last. If no time zone is
selected the clock will default to Pacific Time. If you live in an area that does not
recognize DST (Arizona) you must press the DST button (unmarked – just above
and between the Central and Eastern time zone buttons) for one second to
deactivate your clock’s DST program.
For time zones outside of PT, MT, CT or ET you must manually set the time using
the Manual Time set button on the back of the movement. (See instructions
below).
Please Note: WWVB time will over ride a manual setting.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
For a better understanding of how and why your clock works please continue reading.
NOTHING IS MORE PRECISELY MEASURED THAN TIME!
And nothing keeps track of time more precisely and trouble free than La Crosse
Technology®
atomic clocks.
Since the beginning of time, man has been fascinated with the measurement of time
and has devised more accurate machines to measure time. Today, time is precisely
measured in the United States by the most accurate clock in North America, the Atomic
Clock of the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, Time and Frequency
Division in Boulder, Colorado. A team of atomic physicists continually measures every
second of every day to an accuracy of ten billionths of a second per day. These
physicists have created an international standard, measuring a second as
9,192,631,770 vibrations of a Cesium 133 atom in a vacuum. This atomic clock
regulates the WWVB radio transmitter located in Fort Collins, Colorado. From here the
exact time signal is continuously broadcasted throughout the United States at 60 kHz to
take advantage of stable long wave radio paths found in that frequency range. Radio
waves at these low frequencies use the earth and the ionosphere as a wave-guide and
follow the curvature of the earth for long distances.
The built in antenna system in your clock will receive the WWVB signal anywhere in
North America within 2000 miles of Fort Collins where long-wave radio reception is
undisturbed. A microprocessor activates the receiver and processes the time signal from
Fort Collins overnight.
Through the radio signals, La Crosse Technology® atomic clocks always keep precise
time. The changeover from standard time to daylight saving time, and vice versa, takes
place automatically with the same precision.
The La Crosse Technology® atomic clock is designed for indoor use.
For indoor locations, select a location to place your radio controlled clock where it
will be at least six feet away from a TV, computer, air conditioner or other
household electrical appliances.
The optimal location is near a window. Windows facing Colorado provide the best
signal.
Do not submerge clock in water.
Extreme temperatures, vibration, and shock should be avoided to prevent damage
to the clock.
The WWVB time signal will easily penetrate masonry and wood framed buildings.
The WWVB signal will penetrate almost every residential building and most steel
buildings if they have adequate windows. It is not possible, however, for the
WWVB signal to penetrate most indoor shopping malls and rooms in the center of
large office buildings that do not have windows.
In buildings that WWVB cannot penetrate you may set the time using the manual
time set button. When the clock receives the WWVB signal it will automatically set
the hands to the exact time.
La Crosse Technology® atomic clocks do not receive or process radio controlled
time signals from Germany’s DCF 77, Japan’s J Ga AS, or England’s MSFs
atomically regulated transmitters. La Crosse Technology® atomic clocks can be
manually set and used anywhere.
Please Note: WWVB time will over ride a manual setting.
For more information on the NIST and radio controlled time, see
www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/.
TO SET THE TIME USING THE MANUAL TIME SET BUTTON
In some cases, the La Crosse Technology® atomic clock may not receive the WWVB
signal due to atmospheric disturbances or hard to reach locations such as inside
shopping malls. In this case, please use the Manual Time Set button, located at the
back of the clock to manually set the time. To do this:
1.
Remove the battery and press the Manual set button 10 times.
2.
Insert 1 new AA Alkaline battery.
3.
Press and hold the Manual Set button until the second hand of the clock moves
to the 12 position.
4.
Release the Manual Set button and again press and hold the Manual Set button.
The minute and hour hands will fast-forward while the button is held.
5.
Keep holding the Manual Set button until the time is set as required.
6.
Release the button. About 3 seconds later, the second hands will start to move
and the clock is now running with manual time.
Note: When the clock displays manual time, it will continue to try to receive the WWVB
signal at each of the even numbered hours: 0:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00 … 20:00 & 22:00.
DIGITAL CLOCK
1.
Remove the battery cover at the back of the clock and insert 1 AA Alkaline battery
in the battery compartment.
2.
All segments of the LCD will light up briefly, then the display “-:--“ and the current
indoor temperature will be displayed
Note: If the Display time is pressed while the analog clock is still searching for the
WWVB signal, the digital clock will display “--/--“ for the date and “-:--“ for the
world time.
3.
Wait for the digital clock to receive the WWVB time and date from the analog
clock. Then the digital clock will start normal runs.
MANUAL TIME SET
BUTTON
BATTERY
COMPARTMENT
EASTERN TIME
PACIFIC
TIME
MOUNTAIN TIME
CENTRAL
TIME
DST ON/OFF
BUTTON
MANUAL TIME
SET
BUTTON
BATTERY
COMPARTMENT
FOR THE DIGITAL
CLOCK
BATTERY
COMPARTMENT
FOR THE
ANALOG CLOCK
BATTERY COMPARTMENT
COVER
BATTERY COMPARTMENT
TIME SET KEY (FOR
WORLD TIME)
DISPLAY
KEY