Galleon Technical Support
Desktop Radio Atomic Clock and Remote Antenna Unit

Connecting a Windows NT Server to the ARC Clock
Clock does not pick up time, seconds continually count up.
In-adequate Signal Strength
Clock has valid time, but antenna symbol has disappeared.
Signal Reception.
Possible causes of Interference to the Time Signal
Remote Antenna Cable Specification
Maximum antenna cabling distance for remote antenna unit.

Connecting a Windows NT Server to the ARC Clock

The ARC Clock is equipped with a serial interface with a standard 9 pin connector. Select an unused serial port of your PC, usually marked COM1 ... COM4, plug in the ARC Clock connector. To plug the ARC Clock connector into a 25 pin serial port connector you will need a 9 to 25 pin adapter. Your dealer can usually supply one.

Clock does not pick up time, seconds continually count up.

The clock will attempt to pick up the time signal for approximately 6 minutes after power on. The antenna symbol on the clock will flash when a reception attempt is being made. If the clock cannot receive the time within the 6 minute time period it will enter an idle mode. When the clock is idle the antenna symbol disappears from the display and the seconds count up. Further reception attempts will be made every hour until the unit picks up the time.

Solution: If the clock does not pick up the time, reposition the antenna until a good signal strength is achieved. The clock may be forced to attempt to receive the time signal by powering the unit off and back on or by pressing the reset button at the back of the unit where fitted. Possible causes of Interference to the Time Signal.

In-adequate Signal Strength

In order to synchronise to the time signal the clock requires a good signal strength. When the clock is first powered on or reset an antenna symbol will appear on the clock display. To the right of the antenna symbol is a number of bars. The number of bars represents the current signal strength. The indicator must show at least 3 or 4 bars consistently in order to pick up a valid time.

Solution: When the clock is receiving a time signal, the antenna symbol on the display will flash. It takes approximately 3-4 minutes to initialise the unit with a valid time. Possible causes of Interference to the Time Signal.

If the signal is too weak follow the steps below to improve signal strength:
· Rotating the antenna through 45 degrees.
· Rotating the antenna through a further 45 degrees.
· Reposition the antenna until a good signal is achieved
· Reposition antenna away from any sources of interference, computer monitors etc.
· Place antenna in window or on a wall facing towards the Rugby time signal.

Clock has valid time, but antenna symbol has disappeared.

The antenna symbol disappears from the clock display when the time signal has been lost.

Solution: This indicates that the antenna may need repositioning to receive the time signal. See in-adequate signal strength above. Possible causes of Interference to the Time Signal.

Signal Reception.

The MSF signal can be received at distances upto 1500km from Rugby (Midlands, UK), where the signal is based. The signal covers all of the UK and parts of continental Europe. The DCF signal is based in Frankfurt and covers a range of 1500km which encompases most of Western Europe. The range of the WWVB signal can be seen in the diagram below.

Possible causes of Interference to the Time Signal

· Domestic appliance without radio interference suppressers
· computer monitors closer than 2 meters away
· TV Receivers closer than 2 meters away
· Machinery with high HF leakage
· Poor atmospheric conditions (i.e. stormy weather)

As with your Television or Radio, you may have difficulties in receiving a strong signal because of position or atmospheric conditions. electrical appliances, motors, TV's or computers may interfere with the reception. You may experience poor reception in low lying areas and in metal buildings.

Fault:
Clock does not automatically show correct time within 6 minuets after the battery has been inserted or power on.

Procedure:
Check the battery voltage, battery contact and polarity.
Re-position the clock, e.g. turn through 45-90 degrees, or put it near the windows then start several tests by removing for 1 minute then replacing the battery. Check to see if any HF interference source such as TV or computer monitor is close by.

Important notes
The performance of the clock is subject to its' ability to receive the radio signal that is transmitted from Rugby. Difficulty in reception will be experienced in metal clad buildings. Signal strength improves at night, it is recommended to leave the clock overnight powered up, ideally near a window if you are having difficulty setting it.
This clock will not function outside its designated area.
Please note that the Rugby transmitter is shutdown for maintenance on the following dates:

Quarterly Maintenance Periods
The MSF signal may be taken off-air for maintenance for up to 4 hours on the first Tuesday of every April, July, October and January between 1000 UTC and 1400 UTC. The dates and times (in UK local time) for these maintenance periods in 2001 and 2002 are, therefore, as follows:
2 January 2001 from 1000 to 1400 UTC
3 April 2001 from 1100 to 1500 BST
3 July 2001 from 1100 to 1500 BST
2 October 2001 from 1100 to 1500 BST

1 January 2002 from 1000 to 1400 UTC
2 April 2002 from 1100 to 1500 BST
2 July 2002 from 1100 to 1500 BST
1 October 2002 from 1100 to 1500 BST

The MSF Annual Maintenance Period in 2001
The annual maintenance of the BT Rugby 60 kHz MSF transmitter system will be
from: 1300 BST on Monday 16 July 2001
to: 1300 BST on Monday 30 July 2001
During this period it is likely that the service will be interrupted, although these outages will be kept to a minimum. The service will be restored overnight between 2000 BST and 0800 BST whenever possible.
Unscheduled Breaks in the Service
It is possible that short unscheduled breaks in transmission will occur in addition to the routine breaks for maintenance. NPL provides a help line (+44 (0)20 8943 6493) which gives information on whether the MSF signal is in one of its maintenance periods, and, during working hours, whether the signal is on air.

Remote Antenna Cable Specification

0.2 mm four core security \ alarm cable is required between the antenna and clock unit. CAT 5 structured cabling can also be used.

Maximum antenna cabling distance for remote antenna unit.

The maximum cable length from the antenna unit to the clock unit is 150m. The recommended cable specification is 4 core alarm cable. CAT 5 structured cabling can also be used.

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