La Crosse 3128 Instruction Manual

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RADIO CONTROLLED ANALOG CLOCK

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Quick Setup Instructions

Welcome to the world of atomic 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 new AA, LR6 1.5 volt ALKALINE battery into the digital clock battery

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compartment (the lower battery compartment) according to the polarity
marked on the case, then 1 new battery AA, LR6 1.5 V into the analog clock
battery compartment according to the polarity marked on the case.

• Once the battery is installed, the clock will begin 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 (for the default Pacific Time Zone), or it
will determine that the signal is not receivable at its current location and time
of day. The clock will fast-forward the hands to the 4, 8, or 12 o’clock
position immediately and search for WWVB at specific time each day until a
signal is received.

Note:

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.

• Once the clock has received the WWVB signal, press the time zone button
to select your time zone. If you are in the Pacific Time Zone, no change is
needed and you are ready to hang your clock.
If you are not in the Pacific Time Zone, select your time zone by pressing
one of the four time zone buttons PT-Pacific Time, MT-Mountain Time, CT­Central Time, ET-Eastern Time and holding this button down for 5 seconds.
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. If you
live in an area that does not recognize DST (Arizona) you must press the
DST button (unmarked – just above and between the Central and Eastern
time zone buttons) for one second to deactivate your clock’s DST program.
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. (See
instructions below).

Please Note: WWVB time will over ride a manual setting.

BATTER

COMPARTMENT

FOR THE

DIGITAL CLOC

BATTERY
COMPARTMENT
FOR THE

NALOG CLOCK

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MANUAL TIME SET

BUTTON

PACIFIC TIME

MOUNTAIN TIME

CENTRAL TIME

BATTERY
COMPARTMENT

EASTERN TIME

DST ON/OFF BUTTON

For a better understanding of how and why your clock works please continue
reading.

NOTHING IS MORE PRECISELY MEASURED THAN TIME!

And nothing keeps track of time more precisely and trouble free than La Crosse
Technology®® atomic clocks.

Since the beginning of time, man has been fascinated with the measurement of
time and has devised more accurate machines to 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. From here the exact time signal is continuou sly
broadcasted throughout the United States at 60 kHz to take advantage of stable
long wave 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 in your clock 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, La Crosse Technology® atomic clocks always keep
precise time. The changeover from standard time to daylight saving time, and vice
versa, takes place automatically with the same precision.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• The La Crosse Technology® atomic clock is designed for indoor use.

• For indoor locations, 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.

• Do not submerge clock in water.

• Extreme temperatures, vibration, and shock should be avoided to prevent

damage to the clock.

• The WWVB time signal will easily penetrate masonry and wood framed

buildings.

• The WWVB signal will penetrate almost every residential building and most

steel buildings if they have adequate windows. It is not possible, however, for
the WWVB signal 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 receives the WWVB signal it will
automatically set the hands to the exact time.

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