Re: [IRCA] Analog 24 Atomic clock set on UTC

[Pete Ferrand <petef@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Patrick:

>I still have not had any luck finding an analog atomic clock (with
>hands) that can be set to UTC,

Sorry I didn't get a chance to reply earlier but depending on your requirements you might solve the problem the way I did. I too spent a lot of time looking for one and didn't find one, which I still think is odd. The closest I came was from one of the industrial clock makers which had an analog 24 hour clock, a separate master unit, and a way to attach a receiver for either WWVB or GPS time. Obviously this is way out of the price range. 

My compromise was when I found a couple of Seth Thomas analog WWVB wall clocks on clearance at Staples 3-4 years ago for $8 each. One was installed normally, the other I pushed the button that disables daylight time. Then I let it sync to WWVB which I can do at any time of the day, btw.

Next step was to simply pull the hour hand off and plop it down with the correct offset for UTC. I didn't set any time zone for the clock, so the clock thinks it's in its default time zone, which I think is Pacific, but is actually displaying UTC. Since it doesn't adjust for DST it requires no further fooling with other than the annual battery change.

Now the disadvantage is of course it's a 12 hour dial, but since I know that and it's next to a local time clock the conversion I can make easily. They also look great with the minute hands in perfect sync :)

I'm sure this "technique" will work with any of the clocks out there, or you can on the web buy a WWVB clock mechanism with hands of your choice. If you want you can make a new dial with the 24 hour time markings adjacent to the 12 hour ones - there are clock face template web pages to use if you want. 

For the price and effort it's an acceptable compromise for me. 

-Pete
WB2QLL
Somers, WI


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