[Lowfer] OT: Atomic Clock circuits

[Ed Phillips]

	You're out of luck!  Unfortunately these are very simple TRF receivers receiving WWVB using a single IC [at least all I've seen do] which amplifies the signal from a tiny ferrite rod, detects the AM on it, operates a decoder, and generates the display.  No internal oscillators or anything useful and furthermore, in order to save power, the receive mode is disabled most of the time so the internal clock free runs.  There are several different chips available with options for different standard frequency stations and they can be found by a web search.

	I have had to turn off my IZJ beacon on 181.170 because it wipes out most of our WWVB clocks or causes them to read the wrong hour or date.  I think the problem is suppression of front end gain rather than any spurious output.

Ed



Slightly off topic, but related to a LF project:

Is anyone aware of a source of circuits or pre-built boards for these
"Atomic Clocks"? I have looked, and even visited my local clock
repairman but have not come up with anything.

I hope that there may be some pick-off points where I could get stable
frequencies like 60 KHZ, 1000 Hz or 1 pps that are locked to NIST. The
actualy frequencies are unimportant but stability to WWVB standards is
what I am looking for.

On another subject: I am going into "Disability Mode" here. While that
means that the income will be lowered it also means that I will have an
additional 40 hours a week to play radio. So expect TMO to start it's
wandering ways soon.

Mike
WM1KE