Nuclear Clock
- Thread starter LunarMist
- Start date
Howell
Storage? I am Storage!
Do you know exactly where the signal is coming from? If so you can always use a Pringles can. : )
Howell
Storage? I am Storage!
Ooops. I didn't see that 'except near a window' part. Carry on. Carry on.
Stereodude
Not really a
The cantenna?
ddrueding
Fixture
<nitpick> It is not a nuclear clock if it needs to receive a signal. It is a receiver for the national nuclear clock, yes?
Will Rickards
Storage Is My Life
Is it broadcast on AM or FM?
timwhit
Hairy Aussie
timwhit
Hairy Aussie
We are a long way from CO.
Did you read this on that page? "Positioning receiving antennas away from electronic equipment helps to reduce the effects of local interference"
udaman
Wannabe Storage Freak
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2006
- Messages
- 1,209
Yeah, I read that. But if he's got an Edmund's Sci 433Hz w/remote temp/humidity sensor, or similar inexpensive radio clocks that have no external antenna, it doesn't matter (btw, the ES model I have does have a short 3in swivel position antenna and it still can't pickup the signal). I have the little icon on the LCD that shows signal strength being received, and without all of the bars showing, I can *never* get the signal to sync. for time & date. I have to take the thing outside, walk around a bit before I can find a spot where I get all signal bars showing full strength. I'm thinking, I should dig out a wire dipole antenna that comes with most inexpensive stereo receivers (well they used to, I think you should be able to buy one from Radio Shack for less than $10, seeing how they probably cost next to nothing to manufacturer), and see if just putting one of those near enough to the clock will boost the signal enough. If not, perhaps there is the possibility of a metal contact point somewhere (would need to be in contact with the PCB I should think) that you could have the dipole antenna touching. I know with this really old, cheap Walkman™ type AM/FM AA powered cassette radio my mother uses while 'exercising', if I just touch the radio case (all plastic) with my arm, the FM signal is boosted on weaker stations. Signal gets stronger just putting my hand in close proximity.
You could probably use the Net to get a diagram for making a cheap wire dipole, but I think the 60kHz frequency means you need a wire ~8ft long for maximum signal strength possible. Doesn't mean a 4ft wide, dipole from your stereo wouldn't be all thats necessary to boost the signal high enough to get a lock. Hell, maybe just a single piece of wire extended in the right direction would do the trick?