Donate SIGN UP

Radio Controlled Clock

Avatar Image
hpirwany | 10:55 Mon 16th Sep 2019 | How it Works
15 Answers
I bought a small radio controlled clock in Austria last week. It is still showing European time and not British time now that I am back. What can be done to put that right please?
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 15 of 15rss feed

Avatar Image
According to the interent, the UK transmitter broadcasts at 60kHz and the one in Germany uses 77.5kHz. Is the clock multi-frequency? If not, I presume it won't tune to the UK frequency.
11:26 Mon 16th Sep 2019
Just reset to English time.
If you're lucky the instruction leaflet will tell you how to change the time zone. If you are unlucky, as I was with one purchase in Switzerland, you're stuck with continental time.
I should take it back for a refund.
If the transmitter in the UK uses a different frequency from those in Europe, your clock will not pick up the correct time in the UK.
According to the interent, the UK transmitter broadcasts at 60kHz and the one in Germany uses 77.5kHz. Is the clock multi-frequency? If not, I presume it won't tune to the UK frequency.
You might have to move to Europe! :-)
Or wait until we're all on the same time.
Question Author
Thank you all very much for your responses. I think the shop in Austria should have had the knowledge of the different frequencies of radio controlled clocks.
Take out the battery and re-insert. The hands should spin round the clock and stop at the correct hour/time.
You might have to set it an hour behind as its "0" position.

Hoever it may not show the UK time - as happened with a clock bought from Lidl UK by a relative. In the end I disconnected its aerial so that he could use it as a normal clock.
These things are almost always set to operate in the area/country where they are marketed. It is basically a mistake to buy one for use outside the time zone where it is bought unless it can be set + or - (quite rare and considerably more expensive). On the other hand if it is to be taken beyond the reach of the transmitter (in Frankfurt, I believe) then it will simply work as any other clock. I did this where I liked the clock for its various features, the radio control is of course inoperative.
have you tried googling the name and model of the clock to see if there's an online manual?
If in any doubt, you should try to buy radio-controlled clocks and watches that are "multi-frequency"....I have several Citizen RC watches which will operate properly around the world - they receive signals on six or seven frequencies that cover UK, Europe, USA, Japan, China etc.
...and, Sharon @ 16.31, it won't stop at the correct time if it's not receiving the UK signal from Anthorn....details here.

https://www.npl.co.uk/msf-signal

1 to 15 of 15rss feed

Do you know the answer?

Radio Controlled Clock

Answer Question >>