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How a Radio-controlled Watch Works
What is a radio-controlled watch?
Your radio-controlled watch is designed to receive a time
calibration signal that contains standard time data and adjust its
current time setting accordingly.
Signal is received using
built-in antenna.
Transmitter
Long-wave time
calibration signal
Watch decodes
received data and
converts it to time
Signal data
data.
Decode
Time data
Time is adjusted
Cesium
according to time
atomic clock
Internally
Watch
data.
After the watch receives the Standard Time signal, it
performs internal calculations to determine the current time.
Because of this, there may be an error of up to one second
in the displayed time.
Location
Reception is difficult and may even be impossible in the locations
described below. Avoid such locations when performing signal
reception.
• You should think of your watch operating like a radio or TV when it
is receiving the calibration signal.
Among or near buildings
Near high-voltage lines
Inside a vehicle
Next to a household appliance
(automobile, train, plane, etc.)
or office equipment
(TV, speaker, fax, PC, mobile
phone, etc.)
In a location where there is radio
interference
Near mountains
(construction site, airport, etc.)
If you are experiencing problems with reception, move away
from the types of locations described above to a location with
better reception, and try again.
Operation Guide 2736
Calibration Signal
• The Japanese calibration signal (Call Sign: JJY) is maintained by
the independent Japan Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications
Communication Research Laboratory (CRL). It is a long wave
signal transmitted 24 hours a day from the Mt. Otakadoya
transmitter (40kHz) located in Tamura-gun, Fukushima Prefecture,
and from the Mt. Hagane transmitter (60kHz) located on the
border between Saga Prefecture and Fukuoka Prefecture.
• The U.S. calibration signal (Call Sign: WWVB) is transmitted by
the National Institute of Standards and technology from Fort
Collins, Colorado.
Though the calibration signal is normally transmitted 24 hours
a day, transmission may be interrupted occasionally due to
maintenance, lightening, etc.
Receiving the Calibration Signal
There are two methods you can use to receive the time calibration
signal.
• Auto reception (Reception is performed automatically at 2:00,
3:00, 4:00, and 5:00 each morning.)
• Manual receive (You initiate reception using a button operation.)
• The watch is set up for auto reception at the factory, so all you
need to do is to place it in a location that allows good reception
each night.
Setting Up to Make Reception Easier
Remove the watch from your wrist and place it somewhere so its
top (12 o'clock side, where the antenna is located) is facing
approximately in the direction of the signal transmitter. Keep it
away from metal objects.
Resin band
Metal band
• Orienting the watch so it is sideways to the transmitter makes it
more difficult to receive the signal.
• Do not move the watch while it is receiving the calibration signal.
Reception Range
This watch is designed to receive the standard time calibration signal of Japan (JJY) or of the United States (WWVB). The signal that is
received depends on the current Home City setting.
• For information about selecting a Home City, see "To set the time and date manually".
Home City
TYO
Either the Mt. Otakadoya signal (40kHz) or the Mt.Hagane signal (60kHz)
LAX, DEN, CHI, NYC
Fort Collins, Colorado signal
1000km
Transmitter Location
Mt. Otakadoya
500km
(40kHz)
500km
Mt. Hagane
(60kHz)
1000km
• Under optimum conditions, the calibration signal should be
receivable up to 1,000 kilometers from the transmitter.
• Note that the wave is relatively weak at distances greater than
500km, so reception may be poor at long distances.
• Geographic contours, nearby buildings, the season, the time of day, can even make reception impossible even when you are within range of
the transmitter.
• Best reception is possible late at night.
Time Required for Reception
Signal reception takes anywhere from about two to six minutes.
• Note that when "A/T" (auto) is specified as the transmitter mode,
signal reception can take up to 12 minutes.
• See "To specify the transmitter mode" for more information.
To trigger reception manually
Hold down the D
D
D
D
D button for
about two seconds.
• The watch beeps and reception starts.
The current time digits flash and the
receive icon changes to "
" while a
signal receive operation is in progress.
To stop signal reception
Press the D
D button.
D
D
D
• All other buttons besides D are disabled during signal reception.
When reception is successful
The watch terminates reception and adjusts the current time. Next
it beeps and then displays the date and time the adjustment was
performed.
• The "
" icon on the display also indicates successful signal
reception.
When reception fails
The watch does not adjust its current time setting, and displays
"ERR" instead.
• The display will return to the normal timekeeping screen automatically
if you do not perform any operation for about one or two minutes.
Transmitter
3000km
Transmitter Location
1000km
Fort Collins
• Under optimum conditions, the calibration signal should be
receivable up to 3,000 kilometers from the transmitter.
• Note that the wave is relatively weak at distances greater than
1,000km, so reception may be poor at long distances.
Receive icon
The receive indicator cycles from
Receive icon
"Unstable" through "Stable" as
shown below while reception is in
progress. How far it cycles depends
on the signal strength.
Keep the watch in a location where
reception is stable while reception is
in progress.
Unstable
Stable
• Even under optimum reception conditions, it can take about
10 seconds for reception to stabilize.
• Use the receive icon to check reception status and to
determine the best location for signal reception.
• Note that weather, the time of day, surroundings, and other
factors can all affect reception.
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