If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact our Technical Support at 1-877-221-1252. Office hours: Monday thru Friday from 8am to 445pm CST.
Click here for timepiece instructions.
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Q: How do Atomix™ clocks work?
A: In addition to a regular quartz motor, Atomix clocks contain an antenna and a microchip. The antenna receives the official time signal from the US Government’s National Institute of Standards and Technology and the microchip translates the time signal and adjusts the time display to the correct time.
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Q: What is the signal that Atomix™ timepieces receive?
A: Atomix clocks receive a 60-kilohertz, low frequency AM radio signal from the WWVB radio station maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The NIST is the official timekeeper for the US and is located in Boulder, Colorado. Its WWVB station is located nearby in Ft. Collins. The NIST and its sister agency, the US Naval Observatory, participate with an international coalition of agencies to determine official world time, called Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Both of these agencies establish time via high frequency shortwave and low frequency AM radio signals, satellite transmission, Internet, and via telephone. Atomix timepieces make this technology accessible to everyday consumers.
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Q: How does the time from my Atomix™ timepiece relate with Greenwich Mean Time?
A: Greenwich Mean Time and Coordinated Universal Time are roughly the same. As explained above, world time or UTC is determined through an averaging of several atomic clocks from around the world Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is a 24-hour astronomical time system based on the local time at Greenwich, England. UTC is considered to be more accurate when fractions of a second are not important.
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Q: Will Atomix™ clocks work everywhere?
A: Atomix clocks will work anywhere they receive the WWVB signal from the NIST. This signal is broadcast to reach across the continental US and into parts of Canada and Mexico.
*There are some environments and weather conditions that may influence the reception of the AM radio signal. Just as with an AM radio, the clock can be positioned for optimal reception. For instance, it is best to position the clock away from metal studs and toward the directions of the tower in Colorado. Since these timepieces contain highly accurate quartz movements, they function with very high levels of accuracy between signal receptions.
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Q: Is it true Atomix™ timepieces change all by themselves for daylight-saving?
A: An Atomix timepiece will automatically adjust for daylight-saving time when it receives the signal from the NIST’s WWVB station.
*This change may not occur precisely at 2 a.m. on the date of the time change. The change will occur when the timepiece gets a clear signal. The feature that allows the daylight-saving switch to occur can be turned off on all of the clocks.
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Q: How can i get the two dots in between the hour and the minute to stop flashing?
A:There is no way to stop the dots from flashing. That is the design of the clock.
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Q: My clock did not change for daylight-savings, why?
A: For analog clocks: the battery strength may be low. If you have not changed batteries for 6-12 months you may need to do a battery change. Signal strength may be low. Do not try to manually change. For digital clocks: you want to check and make sure that you daylight-savings option is turned on.
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Q: What will I see at 2 a.m. when my Atomix™ timepiece time changes in the spring and fall?
A: When it receives signal from the NIST, the display on an Atomix timepiece will automatically change. In the spring the timepiece will advance an hour. Since the hands do not actually move backward, the time piece will move forward eleven hours in the fall to reflect the correct time. In either case, you will see the hands spin on an analog clock and the numbers advance with speed on a digital clock.
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Q: How often do Atomix™ timepieces search for the correct time?
A: Clocks are programmed to see for the signal everyday.
*Initially the clock will search for a signal once per hour for 24 to 72 hours until it is able to decode the correct time and set. Once the clock has initially set, it will search for the signal from 5 to 7 times per day to maintain accuracy.
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Q: Can I set my Atomix™ clock to the time of any other place in the world?
A: For analog (dial) clocks: you can set your clock to any world time by manually turning the clocks hour hand to show the time that you want to see. The minute and the second hands automatically adjust to reflect the official time to the second. For digital clocks: for our customers convenience Atomix digital clocks are sold with automatic presets to the four United States time zones.
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Q: What will happen to my Atomix™ timepiece when I physically move from time zone to time zone?
A: Digital clocks need to be manually changed between time zones, but doing so is easy and you will maintain extreme accuracy even as you change. Analog clocks will need to be reset using the current local time in the new zone.
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Q: Can I set my Atomix™ clock so that it will always be exactly five minutes fast?
A: Your analog wall clocks can be set to however minutes you would like. After the clock has received the signal, turn the GREY WHEEL to advance the hands to your desired time difference. The clock will then maintain that difference precisely. For digital clocks they can not be set to read fast.
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Q: How can I find the correct time in my area?
A: The best way is to call the NIST at (303) 499-7111. Any other sources, including the time number in your local phone book, the internet, cell phones, and cable TV receivers may be off by several seconds.
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Q: My clock is reading 1, 2, or 3 hours off, why?
A: You want to check and make sure that your time zone is set correctly and if you observe daylight-savings that your option is turned on.
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Q: I noticed that my clock is reading the incorrect time, month, and date, why?
A: Your clock, during the time of receiving the signal could have experienced some type of interference. You can either change the clock manually or you can try moving the clock in front of a window facing towards Colorado and let it update on its own.
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Q: Why does the time on my clock flash?
A: A flashing display is an indication of low battery power. We recommend using a high grade battery. We do NOT recommend using rechargeable batteries or heavy duty batteries in any of our digital products. They are not designed for this type of use and may cause the unit to perform as a defective unit or not at all. They will also cause the display to flash 100% of the time.
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Q: Why is my clock not reading AM or PM?
A:If your clock does not show AM or PM than your clock is reading in military time. You would than want to refer to your instruction manual on how to change that or you can contact technical support at the toll free number above.
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Q: Where can I go if I want to learn more about time?
A: For more information about time visit:
The National Institute of Standards and Technology website
How Time Works
Time and Date.com
Horology.com
How NIST Time and Frequency Broadcasts Work
Discovery Channel's The Skinny On Time
Chicago Museum of Science and Industry Exhibit on Time
Watch and Clock Museum
The National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, Inc.
Time FAQ's from the National Institute of Standards and Technology
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Click here for timepiece instructions.
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