WT-961A WWVB—RADIO CONTROLLED WATCH
ABOUT WWVB (Radio Controlled Time)
The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology—Time and Frequency
Division) WWVB radio station is located in Ft. Collins, Colorado, and transmits the
exact time signal continuously at 60 kHz. The signal can be received up to 2,000
miles away through the internal antenna in the La Crosse Technology watch.
However, due to the nature of the Earth’s Ionosphere, reception is very limited during
daylight hours. The Watch will search for a signal every night when reception is best.
The WWVB radio station derives its signal from the NIST Atomic clock in Ft. Collins,
Colorado. A team of atomic physicists is continually measuring 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 watch is regulated by the WWVB transmitter.
For more information on WWVB and the NIST Atomic clock please visit their website
at http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/stations/wwvb.htm
SET-UP GUIDE, FEATURES, AND OPERATION
SET-UP
Your new radio-controlled watch may arrive to you already set. The default (factory)
setting is Eastern Time zone, Daylight Saving Time On and 12-hour time format. You
can tell if your watch has received the WWVB signal by looking for a tower icon in
the upper right corner of the LCD display. If the tower icon is solid your watch has
received the signal and set the time and date. If you need to set your watch to any
other setting than the default or need to manually activate the WWVB search (only do
so if there is no tower icon in the upper right of the LCD) please follow the directions
that follow.
NOTES:
• Do not press the TIME ZONE button while the watch is searching for the
WWVB signal, which normally takes 6-10 minutes.
• If you are unable to receive the WWVB signal during the daytime please
manually activate the WWVB search (see section II).
• The optimal time for WWVB reception is between midnight and 6:00 a.m.,
reception may not occur until this time period.
• When the WWVB search is complete the time and date will automatically be
displayed in the LCD.
• If the watch is not within range of WWVB signals for an extended period of time
it will still continue to operate as a accurate quartz controlled watch.
I.
TIME ZONE SELECTION
The default time zone is Eastern Time (EST, also GMT-5). There are 25 Time Zones
to choose from. The selection will cycle from GMT-5 (EST) to GMT-12, then
GMT+12 to GMT +1, then GMT, then GMT-1 to GMT –5 (EST).
1. Hold down the TIME ZONE button for 2 seconds or until a time zone
abbreviation and “ZONE” flash in the LCD.
2. Repeatedly press and release the TIME ZONE button until the
appropriate Time Zone is displayed.
3. Wait 8 seconds for the automatic time-out to exit the time zone
selection mode.
II.
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME (DST) AND 12- 24-HOUR TIME MODE
Through the WWVB signals, the watch automatically adjusts for Daylight
Saving Time. The default (factory) setting is Daylight Saving Time On and
12-hour Time mode. To change this mode:
1. Press and hold the TIME ZONE button for 4 seconds
2. “DST ON” and “12h” will be displayed in the time LCD.
3. Press and release the TIME ZONE button to select the desired mode.
4. The four selections are:
DST On, 12-h
DST Off, 12-h
DST On, 24-h
DST Off, 24-h
5. Wait 8 seconds for the automatic time-out to exit the DST On/Off,
12/24-hour time selection mode.
NOTE: At this point your watch will begin searching for the WWVB signal.
This will always occur after entering the DST On/Off, 12/24 time mode setting.
III.
MANUALLY ACTIVATING THE WWVB SEARCH
You can manually enter the WWVB signal search mode by pressing and
holding the TIME ZONE button for 4 seconds. This will bring up the DST
On/Off, 12/24-hour time mode selection. You now can either select the DST
On/Off, 12/24-hour time mode you wish to be in, or wait 8 seconds for the
automatic time-out to return to the time display and begin searching for the
signal.
IV.
LOW BATTERY INDICATOR
The watch is supplied with, and powered by a high quality 3V lithium battery
with a life expectancy of over 2 years. There is a low-battery indicator that
appears between the minutes and the date when the battery is low. The
battery should be replaced within 2 months of the appearance of the low-
battery indicator.
V.
MAINTENANCE AND CARE
Under normal conditions, the watch is shock resistant, however avoid
excessive “rough” treatment of the watch as this may cause serious damage.
Clean the watch with a soft dry cloth, or with one moistened with a mild soap
solution. Do not use any chemical cleaning solutions, these may cause
permanent damage to the watch’s surface. While the watch is water resistant
to 100 feet, do not submerge in water for extended periods of time.
VI.
ADJUSTING THE STRAP
The metal/plastic strap is adjustable to fit most all wrist sizes. You may either
take it to a local jeweler for adjustment, or perform the following steps. The
strap is adjusted by removing/adding equal number of links on either side of
the butterfly strap (or either side). The links are held in place by a small pin.
1. Use a small tool (a paperclip also works) to press out the pin(s) in the
direction of the arrow on the link.
2. Remove the pin on the other side of the link to remove the link.
3. Press the pin back in place in the direction of the arrow.
4. Repeat as necessary.
TIME ZONE key
“Hawaii Time displayed
(GMT-10)
Atlantic Time (ATL): GMT-4 Alaska Time (ALA): GMT-9
Eastern Time (EST): GMT-5 Hawaii Time (HAW): GMT-10
Central Time (CST): GMT-6
Mountain Time (MST): GMT-7
Pacific Time (PST): GMT-8 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): GMT
TIME LCD