[GreenKeys] Western Union Time Service

[brooke at pacific.net]

Hi Russ:

THANKS VERY MUCH for the candle wax information.  I've been trying to
figure out how to add weight to the pendulum and now I know the trick. 
Yes please on any info you have.

Have Fun,

Brooke Clarke
http://www.prc68.com

wa3frp at aol.com wrote:
> I also have a Western Union clock (mfg. by the Self-Winding Clock
> Company.  I was lucky to get a clock when WUTCO was closing some of its
> smaller offices in Pennsylvania during the early 1970s. Unfortunately, I
> wasn't able to get a Master Clock or a mini-Master Clock - the ones with
> the pendulums filled with mercury. But mine is one of the square wooden
> types that are pretty hard to find.
>
> I've spoken with a number of people who worked in this area and who had
> some knowledge of the clock system.  One thing that still interests me
> today is the fact that the clocks can be super accurate even when
> disconnected from the central office time syncro circuit.   I was told a
> number of times about cases where a maintainer would go out on a call
> and found that the circuit was open but that the clock would keep near
> perfect time. This is the case at my QTH as the clock is accurate to a
> few seconds a month when compared to WWV.
>
> Apparently, keeping the clock's mainspring wound hourly has a lot to do
> with this accuracy.  I also was told that WUTCO office managers would
> work to get the clocks to keep perfect time by first adjusting the
> pendulum's screw and then, over time, slowly adding a slight bit of mass
> by dripping candlewax on the pendulum face.
>
> I have some documentation on these clocks if anyone wants a copy.
>
> 73
> Russ WA3FRP