Why Own a Radio Controlled Clock? 

These clocks have a tremendous advantage over conventional clocks, they are always right.  When working properly, radio controlled clocks always display the correct time down to the exact second.  During the transition from standard time to daylight savings time (DST), they spring forward one hour and when DST is finished they “fall back” one hour.  These clocks have become very inexpensive and often cost just a few dollars more than conventional clocks. Controlled clocks are often misnamed atomic clocks, however, an atomic clock has an atomic oscillator inside and a radio controlled clock has a radio inside.  It receives a signal that comes from a place where an atomic clock is located.  These signals are from NIST radio station WWVB which is located near Ft. Collins, CO.  This signal is sent in a code at such a low frequency that when you turn a radio controlled clock on it will probably miss the first time code.  Consequently, it usually takes more than one minute to set itself (sometimes 5 minutes or longer) depending on the signal quality and the receiver design.    Once radio controlled clocks have synchronized, some clocks only decode the signal once a day, and others do it more often—every 4 or 6 hours.  Those that decode the signal just once per day usually do it at night since the signal is much stronger once the sun goes down.  In between synchronizations, the clocks keep time using their quartz crystal oscillators.  What to do when they don’t work? It is recommended that you save the instruction sheet that comes with your clock so you can refer to it in the future if necessary.  However, there are a few general tips about what to do if your radio controlled clock isn’t displaying the correct time. 

• If your clock uses batteries, check them and replace if necessary.
• If you have a desktop unit, try rotating it 90º.  If you have a wall clock try mounting it on a wall perpendicular to the one it is currently on.  This might help to improve the signal’s strength.
• Place the clock along a wall or near a window that faces Ft. Collins, CO.
• Locate the clock at least one or two meters away from any computer monitors as they may cause interference.
• If nothing else works, take the clock outdoors at night, power it down by removing the batteries or unplugging it, then power it up again forcing it to look for the signal.  If it works outdoors but not indoors, you probably have a local interference problem inside your house or building.  If it doesn’t work outdoors at night, it is probably best to return it and try a different model.
• A mobile home or a house with steel siding may prevent the clock from working.
• And finally, if you think your clock is defective, ask the manufacturer or dealer about obtaining a replacement.

Contemporary & Traditional Wedding Anniversary Gifts

	Contemporary		Traditional
1st	Clocks		Paper
2nd	China and/or Clocks		Cotton
3rd	Crystal; Glass Clocks		Leather
4th	Electrical Appliances		Fruit & Flower; Linen
5th	Silverware		Wood Clocks
6th	Wood Clocks		Sugar & Sweet; Iron Clocks
7th	Desk Sets		Wool; Copper Clocks
8th	Linens; Lace		Bronze & Rubber (Pottery)
9th	Leather		Pottery & Willow
10th	Diamond Jewelry		Tin and or Aluminum Clocks
11th	Fashion Jewelry		Steel
12th	Pearls; Colored Gems		Silk & Fine Linen
13th	Textiles; Furs		Lace
14th	Gold Jewelry		Ivory
15th	Watches		Crystal
16th	Silver		Peridot
17th	Furniture		Watches
18th	Porcelain Clocks		Cat's Eye
19th	Bronze Clocks		Aquamarine
20th	Platinum		China and/or Clocks
25th	Sterling Silver		Silver
30th	Diamonds		Pearls
35th	Jade		Coral; Jade
40th	Rubies		Rubies
45th	Sapphires		Sapphires
50th	Gold		Gold
55th	Emeralds		Emeralds
60th	Diamonds		Diamonds

What is MDF Board?

There are four main categories of wood based panels—laminated boards, particle boards, fibreboards, and oriental strand boards.  Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) is a type of fiber board made from wood or other lignocellulosic materials, refined into fibers and reconstituted with a resin binder (glue) carried out at elevated temperatures.  Almost any type of wood can be used to create MDF.  MDF has a homogeneous structure with no identifiable grains or knots nor any internal voids, pits, or variations in surface hardness. 

MDF is easier to machine than natural wood and can be laminated and painted to produce almost any board finish.  It can be sawed and shaped very evenly and smoothly as opposed to particle board.  It can be nailed, stapled, routed, sanded and screwed just like any natural wood product.  In many applications, it is an ideal substitute for solid wood.  MDF is resistant to warp, moisture, and compression.  Thin MDF has found it’s way into novel applications such as shoemaking, motor vehicle interior parts, toys, household décor and hi-fi equipment because of its excellent acoustic properties.

What is Resin?

Resin is a natural or synthetic compound.  Natural resin comes from plants, for example, pine sap and gum resin.  A popular use for plant resin is the decorative material amber, either the rich golden color of amber or in rare colors like blue.  Natural resin has been used for thousands of years.  Pine pitch has been used to seal boats, mummies, food containers and an assortment of other things.  It has also been used as a component in varnish, lacquer, inks, perfumes, jewelry, etc.  In recent times, combining chemicals in a laboratory which can be used in the production of plastic, paints, and in many of the same substances where natural resin was used has made synthetic resin.  Polyresin is both an affordable and durable solution to many household needs.  It is virtually unbreakable.  One popular form of polyresin is known as alabastrite, used in the creation of decorative figurines, ornaments and candle holders. Because polyresin products have sheen similar to fiberglass and the same tolerance for the addition of color into the material, all sorts of products that fit into any décor can be created such as, clocks, art objects, and serving dishes.  Polyresin lends itself to detailed work and it is an excellent medium that will hold its shape and produce crystal clear results.  As a result, many people who have worked with stone and wood in their arts and crafts have switched to polyresin.

Common Clock Terms

Analog: Analog is the traditional style of time keeping in which the hours and minutes are represented by an hour and minute hand with a round clock dial displaying the hours.

Arabic dial: Most familiar numeral (1, 2, 3, 4, etc...) used on a dial as distinguished from Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV).

Atomic Clock: An atomic clock is a precision clock that uses radio frequencies to synchronize itself with the official U.S. radio controlled clock operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology located in Fort Collins, Colorado. Atomic clocks are often more technical than basic radio controlled clocks.

Beveled glass: Glass used on the sides and front of a clock case, which has its outside edges ground and polished at an angle providing a beautiful decorative effect.

Bezel: The grooved rim around the dial into which the crystal is set.

Crystal: A glass or plastic piece that covers the dial for both protection and decoration.

Dial: The face of the clock. A decorative plate on which the hours are indicated.

Hands: Pointed metal or plastic indicators, usually decorative, which mark the hours, minutes and seconds on the clock dial.

Movement: The inner mechanism of a clock; may be key-wound, weight-driven, battery-powered, electric or quartz.

Pendulum: Swinging rod and weight (bob) suspended below the clock movement. Pendulum determines the rate at which the movement measures time.

Quartz movement: Electronic impulses pass from a battery through a quartz crystal powering the movement of the clock at regular intervals.

Radio controlled clock: Radio controlled clocks are basically the same thing as atomic clocks, however not always as technical. They are precision clocks that uses radio frequencies to synchronize themselves with the official U.S. radio controlled clock operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology located in Fort Collins, Colorado.