La Crosse Technology
Radio Controlled
Analog Clock
OWNER’S MANUAL
Quick set up instructions
Welcome to the world of radio controlled 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.
• Insert 1 fresh AA, LR6
1.5 volt ALKALINE battery
• Press button to select a time zone. THAT’S IT! During the night your clock will
automatically set itself.
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 radio controlled 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 longwave 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 radio controlled clocks always keep precise time. The changeover from
standard time to daylight savings 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.
When the battery is installed the second hand will advance eight seconds (two seconds per step x four steps). The clock is now
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 hour 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.
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 providing the best signal.
The WWVB time signal will easily penetrate Masonry and wood framed buildings. WWVB will penetrate almost every residential
building and most steel buildings if they have adequate windows. It is not possible, however, for WWVB to penetrate most indoor
