SkyScan 28500 Quick Setup Instructions

®
ATOMIC WALL CLOCK
Quick set up instructions
Welcome to the world of radio controlled timekeeping technology. We hope you will enjoy
the convenience of never having to set your clock again and the confidence of knowing
exactly what time it is.
• Insert 1 fresh AA, LR6 1.5 volt ALKALINE battery according to the polarity
marked on the case
• Press button to select a time zone. THAT'S IT! During the night your clock will
automatically set itself.
For a better understanding of how and why your clock works please continue reading.
Note: When the battery is installed the second hand will advance eight seconds (two
seconds per step x four steps). The clock is now searching for a signal. For the initial
setting it is recommended to stand the clock in an upright position near a window. Within
five minutes the clock will either receive the WWVB signal and set itself to the exact time,
or it will determine that the signal is not receivable at its current location and time of day. If
a signal is not receivable it will fast-forward the hands to the 4, 8, or 12 o'clock position and
search for WWVB each hour until a signal is received. If the time is manually set the clock
will continue to periodically search for a signal and automatically reset the hands when the
signal is received.
Nothing is more precisely measured than time!
Since the beginning of time, man has been fascinated with the measurement of time and
has devised more accurate machines to trap and measure time. Today, time is precisely
measured in the United States by the most accurate clock in North America, the Atomic
Clock of the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, Time and Frequency
Division in Boulder, Colorado. A team of atomic physicists continually measures every
second of every day to an accuracy of ten billionths of a second per day. These physicists
have created an international standard, measuring a second as 9,192,631,770 vibrations of
a Cesium 133 atom in a vacuum. This atomic clock regulates the WWVB radio transmitter
located in Fort Collins, Colorado, where the exact time signal is continuously broadcast
throughout the United States at 60 kHz to take advantage of stable longwave radio paths
found in that frequency range. Radio waves at these low frequencies use the earth and the
ionosphere as a wave-guide and follow the curvature of the earth for long distances.
The built in antenna system will receive the WWVB signal anywhere in North America
within 2000 miles of Fort Collins where long-wave radio reception is undisturbed. A
microprocessor activates the receiver and processes the time signal from Fort Collins
overnight.
Through the radio signals, Skyscan radio controlled clocks always keep precise time. The
changeover from standard time to daylight savings time, and vice versa, takes place
automatically with the same precision.
MANUAL TIME SET
BUTTON
PACIFIC TIME
MOUNTAIN TIME
CENTRAL TIME
Additional details
To set up your clock simply install one fresh AA, LR6 ALKALINE battery. Due to the nature
of long wave radio signals it is normally not possible to receive a signal during the day so it
is best to install the battery late in the evening. Select your time zone by pressing one of
the four time zone buttons PT-Pacific Time, MT-Mountain Time, CT-Central Time, ET-
Eastern Time. The time zone buttons may be pressed any time after installing the batteries.
If multiple buttons are pressed the clock will set to the time zone selected last. If no time
zone is selected the clock will default to Pacific Time. Another time zone can be selected
during or after the clock has set itself. Your clock can only set itself to one of the four time
zones stated above. For time zones outside of PT, MT, CT or ET you must manually set
the time using the Manual Time set button on the back of the movement.
Select a location to place your radio controlled clock where it will be at least six feet away
from a TV, computer, air conditioner or other household electrical appliances. The optimal
location is near a window. Windows facing Colorado provide the best signal. The WWVB
time signal will easily penetrate masonry and wood framed buildings. WWVB will penetrate
almost every residential building and most steel buildings if they have adequate windows.
It is not possible, however, for WWVB to penetrate most indoor shopping malls and rooms
in the center of large office buildings that do not have windows. In buildings that WWVB
cannot penetrate you may set the time using the manual time set button. When the clock is
exposed to the WWVB signal it will automatically set the hands to the exact time.
Skyscan clocks do not receive or process radio controlled time signals from Germany's
DCF 77, Japan's J Ga AS, or England's MSFs atomically regulated transmitters. Skyscan
clocks can be manually set and used anywhere.
For more information on the NIST and radio controlled time, see
www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/
Set the time using the Manual Time Set button
In some cases, the Skyscan clock may not receive the WWVB signal due to atmospheric
disturbances or hard to reach locations such as inside malls. In this case, please use the
Manual Time Set button, located at the back of the clock to manually set the time. To do
this:
1. Press and hold the Manual Set button.
2. The minutes and seconds hands will fast-forward. The seconds' hand will stop at 12.
The minute's hand will keep advancing.
3. Keep holding the Manual Set button until the time is set as required.
4. Release the button.
Note:
The clock will continuously search for WWVB each hour until a signal is received. Once the
WWVB time signal is received, the WWVB time will override the manual set time.
MANUAL TIME SET
BUTTON
Troubleshooting
The wonderful advantage of owning a Skyscan radio controlled clock is that it is virtually
trouble free. If the clock receives a clear signal it will set itself perfectly. If it does not
receive a signal consider the following:
Battery - The Skyscan clock must have a fresh battery to receive and process the time
signal.
Location - Try a different location, ideally near a window. It should be at least six feet from
computers, TVs, air conditioners, other Radio-Controlled clocks and other electrical
appliances that cause interference.
Weather - Electrical storms between you and Colorado during the night will interfere with
the WWVB signal.
BATTERY
Daylight Savings Time
COMPARTMENT
The National Institute of Standards and Technology and WWVB encode a special DST "bit"
in the WWVB transmission for DST. Your Skyscan clock will read this information and
EASTERN TIME
automatically advance the hands one hour in the spring and eleven hours in the fall.
DST ON/OFF BUTTON
Arizona and Indiana
If you live in an area that does not recognize DST you must press the (unmarked) DST
button for one second to deactivate your clock's DST program. To reactivate the DST
program simply press the DST button again for one second.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long will the battery last?
A. A good AA alkaline battery will last over one year. If your clock is located in an area
with little interference where it can quickly receive a signal the battery will last much
longer than one year.
Q. Can the clock be wired to control timing circuits?
A. No.
Q. Why does the second hand move only once every two seconds, but it moves two
seconds per step?
A. When the battery drops below 1.25 volts the clock indicates that it is time to change the
battery by advancing the second hand in two second steps. The operating voltage
range is 1.25 to 1.75 volts.
WARRANTY:
This product is warranted to be free of defects in manufacturing for 1 year after purchase.
Defective clocks should be returned to the place of retail purchase.
BATTERIES CHANGE:
For best performance, batteries should be replaced at least once a year to maintain the
best running accuracy. Ensure that the batteries used are new and the correct size.
Please help in the preservation of the environment and return used
batteries to an authorized depot.
Equity Industries Corp.
5721 Bayside Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
For Customer Inquiries:
Web: www.skyscaninfo.com
Email: shelley@eic.hrcoxmail.com
Tel: (757) 460-2483
Model 28500 Printed in China 2003