[time-nuts] WWVB Chronverter update progress

[Larry McDavid]

Tim, there is indeed a consumer clock that uses only the BPSK modulation 
on WWVB. It is an "ULTRATOMIC" clock by La Crosse and has available on 
Amazon for over a year now. I have two of these clocks. They are 
*vastly* more sensitive than the usual "atomic" AM clocks. My actual 
experience is that these clocks will sync to WWVB within 10 minutes any 
time of day, completely unlike the usual AM "atomic" clocks.

Several years ago I had radiant barrier thermal insulation installed in 
my home attic; it forms essentially an aluminum umbrella over my home, 
an unexpected result. I had to relocate all my AM "atomic" clocks to 
(the inside of) outside walls for them to sync overnight. However, the 
ULTRATOMIC clocks will sync within 10 minutes any time of day, anywhere 
within my home.

But, so far as I can determine, this one rather large analog-display La 
Crosse clock is the only consumer BPSK clock available. It uses two or 
four C-cells for power and claims up to 6 years "battery" life. I 
installed two C-cells and they were only slightly depleted after one 
year. The clock can be configured for time zone and to inhibit motion of 
the second hand between midnight and 5 am. For me, one advantage is that 
the clock face is large enough that I can read it without my glasses!

Look here:

https://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Technology-404-1235UA-SS-UltrAtomic-Stainless/dp/B01CCHXTE2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1535393731&sr=8-3&keywords=la+crosse+ultratomic

or search ULTRATOMIC La Crosse on Amazon.

Tom Van Baak did a tear-down has many pictures posted on his website; 
look here:

http://www.leapsecond.com/pages/ultratomic/

Larry


On 8/27/2018 8:12 AM, Tim Shoppa wrote:
...
> Now, if this is a fancy-pants consumer WWVB wall clock that also expects
> the phase shift keying (not just amplitude keying) then I have no idea how
> it'll respond to just plain amplitude keying for the time code. You might
> think the WWVB BPSK chip will respond to loud and clear amplitude
> modulation but I have no experience with this. Nor do I even know if a
> single consumer clock was ever sold with BPSK ability.
> 
> Tim N3QE...

-- 
Best wishes,

Larry McDavid W6FUB
Anaheim, California  (SE of Los Angeles, near Disneyland)