If
you're looking for a digital atomic clock with a really big LCD
display, the Atomix 00562 Tech surely merits your consideration. The
sharp, modern looking AtomixTM Tech can be hung on a wall, or
placed on a table or bookshelf. The Tech has alarm, date, day and
indoor temperature displays. The
hour and minute digits are almost
2 inches tall and very bold, and seconds are 3/4 inch. The month abbreviation
is also 3/4 inch tall, and date, weekday and temperature are
nearly 1 inch (except for tenths of a degree and the
"F" for Fahrenheit).
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| Atomix™ radio
controlled clocks keep perfect time by
calibrating themselves to 60kHz low-frequency AM radio signals
containing time information supplied by the official U.S. atomic clock
source in Boulder, Colorado*. The radio signals are transmitted
from radio station WWVB, which is located in nearby Fort
Collins. Both the atomic clock source and WWVB are
operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology,
or NIST (a part of the U.S. Commerce Department). The
clock's integral
radio receiver detects the WWVB signal, and a microchip
adjusts the LCD display to display the exact time, plus the
month, date, and weekday. The clock also displays the current
indoor temperature in °F,
the strength of the WWVB radio
signal, and an alarm icon if the alarm is set. This
clock will indicate the precise time in any location where the
WWVB radio signal can be received. This includes the continental
U.S. (the "lower 48") plus parts of Canada and Mexico.
The clock begins searching for the WWVB signal as soon as
batteries are inserted and one of the four time zones (Pacific,
Mountain, Central, or Eastern) is selected. After initially
synchronizing to the radio signal, the clock attempts to
resynchronize every night at midnight. If an attempt is
unsuccessful, the clock will make an additional attempt one hour
later. A large radio-reception icon indicates the seek and
receive conditions. Daylight Saving Time adjustment takes
place automatically in the spring and fall, but if you live in
Indiana or Arizona, you can disable DST via pushbutton. If DST
is enabled, "DST" appears above the radio-reception icon. All
setup functions, including setting the alarm, are easily
performed via five pushbuttons on the back of the clock. A
Snooze button on top of the clock provides a repetitive 8-minute
snooze alarm after the alarm goes off initially. The
Atomix Tech digital clock is powered by two AA (1.5 volt) alkaline batteries (not
included). Expected battery life is up to 2 years.
Note: The 60kHz AM radio
signal used by NIST to deliver the time information carries best at
night. The signal may be interfered with by weather conditions and
local interference. Building construction and location within the
building can also effect reception. This clock is quartz
controlled, and will keep very good time for days when reception is
poor, so this isn't normally a problem. You may find, however,
that when you first insert the batteries, or during a daylight savings
time change, the clock will not be able to set itself immediately if
reception is poor. Signal strength is indicated by the icon to the
right of the time display. You may wish to refer to the icon when
selecting a location for your clock. As wiring and plumbing in your
walls can effect reception, moving the clock as little as a couple
inches can make a difference in the strength of the signal reaching the
clock. For additional information, please see the Chaney
Instrument Clock FAQ. |
