La Crosse Technology WT-3181 Instruction Manual
1
RADIO CONTROLLED ANALOG CLOCK
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Quick set up 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
.
•
Twist and lift open the battery compartment cover at the back of the clock
and insert 1 fresh AA, LR6 1.5 volt ALKALINE battery 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. If a signal is not receivable, it will fast-forward the hands to the 4, 8,
or 12 o’clock position and search for WWVB every two hours until a signal is
received. 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.
•
Press time zone button to select a time zone after the clock received the
WWVB signal. If you are in the Pacific Time Zone- 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. 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 and Indiana) you must press the (unmarked) DST button 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).
•
Replace the battery compartment cover.
THAT’S IT! During the night your clock will automatically set itself.
BATTERY COMPARTMENT
COVER
BATTERY
COMPARTMENT
2
MANUAL TIME SET
BUTTON
PACIFIC TIME
CENTRAL TIME
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 trap and
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, where the exact time signal is
continuously broadcast 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 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.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
To set up your clock simply install one fresh AA, LR6 ALKALINE battery.
Due to the nature of long wave radio signals it is normally not possible to receive a
signal during the day so it is best to install the battery late in the evening. 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. The time zone buttons
may be pressed any time after installing the batteries. 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. Another time zone can be selected
during or after the clock has set itself. Your clock can only set itself to one of the
four time zones stated above. 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.
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, or it will determine that the signal is not receivable at its
current location and time of day. If a signal is not receivable it will fast-forward the
hands to the 4, 8, or 12 o’clock position and search for WWVB each even
numbered hour until a signal is received. If the time is manually set the clock will
BATTERY
COMPARTMENT
EASTERN TIME
MOUNTAIN TIME
DST ON/OFF BUTTON