US Atomic Clock question
 

I have one of these Oregon Scientific ExactSet Radio Controlled gadgets... according to the manual, this thing is supposed to set itself on its own picking up a radio signal from the US Atomic Clock.

So here goes the question.... since Im using this "thingie" in the Southern Hemisphere, namely down under to the left, here in Buenos Aires.... can I expect this apparatus to pick up this signal?

I know I can set the clock manually.... but I kinda wanna have it do its thing on its own.

Thanks,
Gaucho

Depending on the model, it may pick up the signal. I've not seen one that you can adjust for that timezone though if it was a US one, they only go to Eastern and you need one more hour.

Wirelessly posted (Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x320)

Thanks.... it is a US model.

Alex, I don't think it's possible. I have a couple of Oregon Scientific gadgets in BsAs (weather forcaster, wall clock), that have the ability to synchronize with the WWVB-60 signal from the atomic clock in Fort Collins, Colorado.

I never was able to get a signal, and according to the OS web site, you need to be within ~2000 miles of the transmitter. And as mentioned above, the clocks only have offsets for P, M, C and E times (the clocks can't synch in Hawaii, so need for HST). And of course daylight savings time is automatic ...

If you don't have the instruction manuals, you can get the pdf files from the OS web site.

John

Wirelessly posted (Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x320)

Thanks John.

See http://tf.nist.gov/stations/radioclo...m#Anchor-where

I am not sure how those clocks work, but if they sync with the local
radio signals broadcasting NTP (Network Time Protocol) signals, it may work.

Its generally a UTC time so it helps you sync the time accordingly.

I know they have some similar services in several other countries...

do a search.. google is your friend :)

Wirelessly posted (Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x320)

Thanks guys!!

I did some search on it.. and I think you are out of luck with the radio signals.

But I found some interesting information for you:
http://tf.nist.gov/general/pdf/1976.pdf

You might want to set up your computer to use NTP(Network Time Protocol)
to sync with the atomic clock via NTP servers on the internet.

It won't work. You're much too far away from the transmitters.

Someday someone will make one that uses the GPS signals rather than the clock broadcasts but I haven't seen one like that and it would almost certainly have to be a plug-in clock, not battery operated. GPS also has the problem that it doesn't penetrate buildings very well.

Usually the GPS signals are too weak for indoor use.
There are network time server (devices) that can sync time with the
GPS signals, but they need direct line of sight with the satellites.
Most of these units have roof top mounted antennas to make this
work right.

When in doubt just pick up the phone and dial 202.762.1401

I've generally been able to get GPS to work in a window.

I'm pretty sure that the Oregon Scientfic clocks receive the NIST LW transmissions, which on a good day might get a lot further from Fort Collins than the borders of the USA, but are very unliely to reach you in Argentina.

OTOH, if they use the SW service then you might stand an outside chance.

Lots of info on wikipedia - eg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWVB

The bigger issue with GPS is power consumption. A well designed LW receiver draws a fraction of the paower of a GPS receiver, and should be able to sync in a fraction of the time it would take GPS to get enough of a lock indoors.

A better bet would be to make a clock that could sync to Bluetooth and have your cellphone transmit the time over Bluetooth every now and again (simple software download should be all that would be required).

Yes, that can work if you manage to get three or more satellites in the
line of sight at the same time. If you have 4 or more in sight, you can also
get the accurate location and altitude information.