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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.
Long-wave
Transmitter
time
calibration
signal
Watch decodes
received data
and converts it to
Signal data
time 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 (automobile,
Next to a household appliance
or office equipment (TV,
train, plane, etc.)
speaker, fax, computer, cell
phone, etc.)
In a location where there is
Near mountains
radio interference (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 2696/2832 ( B )
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.
Note that transmission of the standard wave 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 receive (Reception is performed automatically at
midnight, 2:00, and 4:00 each morning.)
• Manual receive (You initiate reception using a button operation.)
• If reception is not successful for any of the normal auto receive
operations shown above, auto receive is performed one more
time at 5:00 a.m.
• The watch is set up for auto receive at the factory, so all you need to
do is to place it in a location that allows good reception each night.
❚ 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 facing approximately in the
direction of the signal transmitter. Keep the watch 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 "Selecting Your Home City". For information about city codes, see the "World Time City
Code List".
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
A calibration signal receive operation takes anywhere from about
two to six minutes.
• Note that when "FREQ.A" (Auto Select) is specified as the
transmitter selection mode, signal reception can take up to 12
minutes.
• See "Configuring Transmitter Selection Mode Settings" for more
information.
❚ To perform manual receive
Receive icon
Hold down the D
D button for
D
D
D
about two seconds.
• The watch will beep and
reception will start. The "
" icon
flashes on the display while
signal reception is in progress.
Receiving Indicator
❚ To interrupt reception
D button.
D
D
Press the 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.
The "
" icon is cleared from the display each day at 3:00 a.m.
Reception Error (ERR Indicator)
The watch does not adjust its current time setting, and displays
"ERR" when signal reception is unsuccessful for some reason.
• The display will return to the normal timekeeping screen automatically
if you do not perform any operation for about one or two minutes.
Transmitter
Transmitter Location
3000km
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 icon 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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