Emerson Radio CKA1100 - Manual (Page 8)

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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE ATOMIC CLOCK TIME SIGNAL
• This clock radio is designed to receive and decode the U.S. Atomic Clock time
signal transmitted from station WWVB. This station is operated by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and is located near Fort Collins,
Colorado at latitude 40°40’28.3”N and longitude 105°02’39.5”W. The time signal
is broadcast continuously on the long wave band at a transmission frequency of
60kHz.
• Although the signal can be received anywhere in the continental United States,
the southern portions of Canada and the northern portions of Mexico, the greater
the distance from Fort Collins, the weaker the signal becomes. The most difficult
area for reception is the northeastern coastal region of the USA. In addition to
the distance from Fort Collins there is also a high level of interference in this
area. This area is also in range of station MSF in Teddington, Middlesex, England.
Station MSF is also transmitting at 60kHz and the signal from this station can
interfere with signal from station WWVB, especially in the area from Maine to
New York.
• Automatic time setting is never instantaneous, even if your home was located
next door to the transmitter. The Atomic Clock time signal consists of a ‘stream’
of information that normally takes between two and three minutes to receive
and be decoded before the clock in this radio can set itself. Also if the signal is
subjected to interference during reception the clock will be unable to decode
the information and set itself. In some cases if the signal was ‘corrupted’ during
reception the clock might actually display an incorrect time. However when the
signal is finally received correctly and the information decoded the clock will
correct itself automatically.
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