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MANUAL TIME SET 
BUTTON 

PACIFIC TIME

CENTRAL TIME 

La Crosse Technology

 

 

Radio Controlled Analog Clock 

 
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

 

 
 

 

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. 

 

Press time zone button to 
select a time zone.   

 

Replace the battery 
compartment cover. 

 

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 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 radio controlled 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 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. 

 

 

The La Crosse Technology clock is designed for indoor or outdoor 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.  For outdoor locations, select 
a location sheltered from direct sunlight, preferably under a roof or porch area, and facing 
Colorado for better reception of the WWVB signal.   

 
 

Note:

 • 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 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 clocks can be manually set and used anywhere.  

 

For more information on the NIST and radio controlled time, see 
www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/ 

 

SET THE TIME USING THE MANUAL TIME SET BUTTON 

In some cases, the La Crosse Technology clock may not receive the WWVB signal due to 
atmospheric disturbances or hard to reach locations such as inside 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. 

Press and hold the Manual Set button.  

2. 

The minutes and hours hands will fast-forward while the button is held. 

3. 

Keep holding the Manual Set button until the time is set as required.  

4. 

Release the button.

 

 

Note: 

The clock will continuously search for WWVB at1:00 am, 3:00 am, 4:00 am, 6:00 am, 12:00 pm, 
6:00 pm and 11:00 pm until a signal is received. Once the WWVB time signal is received, the 
WWVB time will override the manual set time. 

 

BATTERY 
COMPARTMENT 

EASTERN TIME 

MOUNTAIN TIME

DST ON/OFF BUTTON 

BATTERY COMPARTMENT 
COVER 

BATTERY 
COMPARTMENT 

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