Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct Timezone/Time Zone setting for my location:

Here is a list of Time Zones:

Note: There are no half settings. Example: If your time zone is 5.5 then you would select a whole number such as 5 or 6.

If the Radio Controlled Clock does not set on your clock or weather station:

• Make sure Daylight Savings Time (DST) is set properly. All states except Hawaii and Arizona observe Daylight Savings Time. If you observe DST, make sure this setting is turned ON. The default is OFF (except for the RC-8427)
• Be patient. Wait at least one week. The RCC is a shortwave signal originating near Fort Collins, Colorado, and travels thousands of miles by bouncing off the ionosphere. The signal is better at night due to solar interference during the daytime. The farther you are from Colorado, the weaker the signal. Urban environments can also effect the signal strength.
• Locate the console or clock at night near a window or outer wall, and away from other radiating sources, like wireless routers or TVs. This will insure the best reception possible.
• Test and replace the batteries in the console, if required. Low batteries are often the cause for weak reception.
• Check your Time Zone Setting. Make sure your time zone is set properly in the display console settings. All times zones in the USA are negative. It is very common for the customer to enter 6 instead of -6 for example.Here is a list of Time Zones:
  

  Hours from GMT	Time Zone	Cities
  -12	IDLW: International Date Line West	—
  -11	NT: Nome	Nome, AK
  -10	AHST: Alaska-Hawaii Standard CAT: Central Alaska HST: Hawaii Standard	Honolulu, HI
  -9	YST:  Yukon Standard	Yukon Territory
  -8	PST: Pacific Standard	Los Angeles, CA, USA
  -7	MST: Mountain Standard	Denver, CO, USA
  -6	CST: Central Standard	Chicago, IL, USA
  -5	EST: Eastern Standard	New York, NY, USA
  -4	AST: Atlantic Standard	Caracas
  -3	—	São Paulo, Brazil
  -2	AT: Azores	Azores, Cape Verde Islands
  -1	WAT: West Africa	—
  0	GMT: Greenwich Mean WET: Western European	London, England
  1	CET: Central European	Paris, France
  2	EET: Eastern European	Athens, Greece
  3	BT: Baghdad	Moscow, Russia
  4	—	Abu Dhabi, UAE
  5	—	Tashkent
  6	—	Astana
  7	—	Bangkok
  8	CCT: China Coast	Bejing
  9	JST: Japan Standard	Tokyo
  10	GST: Guam Standard	Sydney
  11	—	Magadan
  12	IDLE: International Date Line East NZST: New Zealand Standard	Wellington, New Zealand

With the models listed below, the clock attempts to synchronize to the radio controlled time at the following times:

2:00 am,  8:00 am, 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

The Radio Controlled Clock (RCC) is a shortwave signal originating near Fort Collins, Colorado, and travels thousands of miles by bouncing off the ionosphere. The signal is better at night due to solar interference during the daytime. The farther you are from Colorado, the weaker the signal. Urban environments can also effect the signal strength.

Thus, you may only receive the signal once a night, or once every few days, which is sufficient for keeping accurate time.

If the RCC synchronization only occurs at night (say 2:00 am), you may not be aware, because the synchronization may fail at 2:00 pm due to solar and other interference.

One option is to be viewing the clock between 2:00 am and 8:00 am to see if the clock set at night.

If your clock is keeping accurate time but does not synchronize 100% of the time, this is normal.

To rotate or reverse the projection on your clock, press the Rotate button  on the top or back of your clock (depending on the model):

If you own an older Model RC-8427, there is an added step. You must press the SNOOZE/LIGHT key first, let go, and then press the REVERSE key.

If the projection light does not turn on or stay on:

1. The clock must be plugged into AC power to continuously project.
2. The PROJECTION ON/OFF slide switch must be turned ON (#11 below):
3. If the AC adapter is plugged in and powered by AC power and the slide switch is turned on, the unit may need replacing.
4. If you remove the batteries and connect to AC power only, and the clock does not power at all, there is an issue with the AC adapter or clock.
5. If you have a volt meter, test the AC adapter voltage. If the voltage is zero, the AC adapter requires replacement. If the AC adapter is outputting 5V, the clock needs replacing.
6. We have a one year warranty. To replace under warranty, please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

Product Manual
https://ambientweather.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/488/

Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.com/amrc8427.html

To change the temperature units of measure, press (do not hold) the SET key once.

Product Manual
https://ambientweather.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/488/

Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.com/amrc8427.html

The projection brightness or size cannot be adjusted.

The farther away the projection is from the wall or ceiling, the larger and dimmer the projection gets.

If the time is off by multiple of hours, the time zone is not set correctly. For example, if you live in the Eastern Time Zone and the clock is set to the Pacific Time Zone, the time will always be 3 hours off.

To set the Time Zone:

1. Press the MODE button and the Alarm Time will be displayed.
2. Press the SET key (do not hold) unit you select your time zone. Your time zone will be shown on the USA map.
   There are four time zones to select from: P=Pacific, M=Mountain, C=Central, E=Eastern.
3. The clock has been programmed to automatically switch when daylight saving time is in effect. Your clock will display “DST”.

   Note: Arizona does not observe daylight savings time. If you live in Arizona and DST is in effect, you will need to change your time zone to PST for Pacific Standard Time.

Product Manual
https://ambientweather.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/488/

Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.com/amrc8427.html

If the time does not set automatically after a week and the time continues to drift, the clock may need replacing.

We have a one year warranty. Please visit www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

Product Manual
https://ambientweather.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/488/

Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.com/amrc8427.html

Product Manual
https://ambientweather.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/488/

Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.com/amrc8427.html