Advertisement
How a Radio-controlled Watch Works
Signal Reception
There are two methods you can use in order to receive the time calibration signal.
Auto receive
Up to six times a day (Midnight, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 a.m.)
Manual receive (You initiate signal reception by pressing a button.)
During normal timekeeping, hold down A for about two seconds
until the second hand moves to "READY".
At the start of the receive operation
• The second hand moves to "READY".
• The hour and minute hands continue to operate normally.
While reception is in progress
• The second hand moves to "WORK".
• The hour and minute hands continue to operate normally.
• Do not perform any watch operations while signal reception is in
progress (second hand at "WORK").
When reception is complete...
• When the receive operation is successful, the second hand will move
to "Y" or "YES", the watch will adjust its time, and then the second hand
will return to normal operation after about three minutes.
• If the receive operation is not successful, the second hand will move
to "N" or "NO". The second hand will return to normal operation after
about three minutes.
I To cancel a manual receive operation
Press any button.
I To position the watch for optimum reception
Remove the watch from your wrist and place it somewhere so its top (12 o'clock side, where the antenna
is located) is pointing approximately in the direction of the signal transmitter. Keep the watch away from
metal objects.
• Orienting the watch so it is
sideways to the transmitter
makes it more diffi cult for it to
receive the signal.
• Do not move the watch while it is
receiving the calibration signal.
Time Required for Reception
Signal reception normally takes anywhere from about two to seven minutes. Under certain signal
conditions however, the receive operation can take as long at 14 minutes.
Troubleshooting
1. The watch cannot receive the time calibration signal.
• Is the signal being transmitted?
Though the time data of the Japanese calibration signal (Call Sign: JJY) is maintained by the Japan
Standard Time Group of the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT),
it sometimes may be interrupted for periodic maintenance work, or because of lightning or other
problems.
• Are you within the reception range of a transmitter?
• Is there something in the immediate area that may be interfering with reception?
Even if you are within the reception range of a transmitter, electrical noise or objects between you and
the transmitter can interfere with reception. Avoid such areas during signal reception.
2. Time calibration signal reception is successful, but the hourly time signal and current time are
slightly off.
• After the watch receives the time calibration signal, it performs an internal decoding process before
updating its time setting. Because of this, the time setting may be off slightly (within one second).
3. Time calibration signal reception is successful, but the current time setting is wrong.
• Are the home positions of the hands off?
Refer to "Home Position Adjustment" and check the hand home positions.
Calibration Signal Reception Precautions
• Pressing any button while auto receive is in progress will cause the watch to exit the receive operation.
• Make sure you are within the range of a calibration signal transmitter before performing the receive
operation. Remember that geographic contours, nearby buildings, the season, or the time of day can
make reception impossible even when you are within range of the transmitter.
• Proper reception may be impossible if there is something blocking the signal. If reception is
unsuccessful, try again.
• This watch is designed to adjust its current time setting in accordance with the calibration signal
transmitted in Japan only. Note that you will need to make your own adjustments when using this watch
outside of Japan, or in any area that is outside the range of one of the receivable time calibration signal
transmitters.
• When the watch is unable to adjust its time using the calibration signal for some reason, timekeeping
accuracy is within ±20 seconds per month.
• Strong electrostatic charge can cause timekeeping error.
Operation Guide 4323 (GMS)
What is a radio-controlled watch?
A radio-controlled watch is designed to receive a time calibration signal that contains standard time data
and adjust its current time setting accordingly.
Calibration Signal
The Japanese calibration signal (Call Sign: JJY) is maintained by the National Institute of Information and
Communications Technology (NICT). It is transmitted 24 hours a day from the Mt. Otakadoya transmitter (40
kHz) located in Tamura-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, and from the Mt. Hagane transmitter (60 kHz) located
on the border between Saga Prefecture and Fukuoka Prefecture.
The time data of the Japanese calibration signal (Call Sign: JJY) is maintained by the Japan
Standard Time Group of the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
(NICT).
Note that transmission of the calibration signal may be interrupted occasionally due to
maintenance, lightning, etc.
For more information, visit the website of the Japan Standard Time Group of the National Institute
of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) at the following URL.
http://jjy.nict.go.jp
• Note that the above URL is subject to change.
Reception Ranges
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 make reception impossible
even when you are within range of the transmitter.
• Best reception is possible late at night.
Location
Reception is diffi cult and may even be impossible in the locations described below. Avoid such locations
when performing signal reception.
• You should think of your watch as operating like a radio or TV when it is receiving the calibration signal.
Among or near buildings
Near high-voltage lines
Inside an automobile, train,
At a construction site,
plane, or other vehicle
airport, or other location
where there is radio
interference
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.
Next to a household
appliance or offi ce
equipment (TV, speaker, fax,
computer, cell phone, etc.)
Near mountains
2
Advertisement
