> HOW TO SET THE TIME (RADIO SIGNAL RECEPTION) > Reception environment

Reception environment

Radio signal reception range indication

This watch receives standard radio signals from Japan (2 stations), China, U.S.A., Germany and UK.

When you set the watch to a time zone in Japan, China, U.S.A., Germany or UK, the official standard frequencies the watch receives will be automatically changed accordingly to the selected time zone.

How to select the time zone (How to display the local time around the world)

Radio signal reception range indication-0 UK + Radio signal reception range indication-0

Germany (DCF77), UK (MSF)
Germany (DCF77), UK (MSF)

China (BPC)
China (BPC)

Japan (JJY)
Japan (JJY)

U.S.A. (WWVB)
U.S.A. (WWVB)

Radio signal reception range: Japan (JJY)

The reception range from the transmitting station is approximately 1,000 km (1,000 km radius of the transmitting station).

Radio signal reception range indication-1 + Radio signal reception range indication-1

Hagane-yama transmitting station (60 kHz)

Ohtakadoya-yama transmitting station (40 kHz)

1,000 km

1,000 km

JJY is operated by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT).

JJY is transmitted from two stations in Japan. Each station transmits JJY in a different frequency.

Fukushima:

Ohtakadoya-yama transmitting station
Frequency: 40 KHz

Kyushu:

Hagane-yama transmitting station
Frequency: 60 KHz

NICT: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology

Even within the reception range, weather conditions, terrain, buildings, and orientation may mean that reception is not possible.
Environments in which it is difficult to receive a radio signal

Radio signal reception range: China (BPC)

The reception range from the transmitting station is approximately 1,500 km (1,500 km radius of the transmitting station).

Radio signal reception range indication-2 + Radio signal reception range indication-2

Shangqiu National Time Service Center (68.5 kHz)

1,500 km

BPC is operated by NTSC.

Shangqiu National Time Service Center
Frequency: 68.5 kHz

NTSC: National Time Service Center

The watch may be able to receive radio signals outside a reception range if the receiving conditions are favorable.

Even within the reception range, weather conditions, terrain, buildings, and orientation may mean that reception is not possible.
Environments in which it is difficult to receive a radio signal

Radio signal reception range: U.S.A. (WWVB)

The reception range from the transmitting station is approximately 1,500 km (1,500 km radius of the transmitting station).
There are four time zones within the reception range.

Radio signal reception range indication-3 + Radio signal reception range indication-3

Fort Collins transmitting station Frequency (60 KHz)

1,500 km

WWVB is operated by NIST.

Fort Collins transmitting station
Frequency: 60 kHz

NIST: National Institute of Standards and Technology

The watch may be able to receive radio signals outside a reception range if the receiving conditions are favorable.

Even within the reception range, weather conditions, terrain, buildings, and orientation may mean that reception is not possible.
Environments in which it is difficult to receive a radio signal

Use of automatic reception is recommended, as this time frame is optimal for automatic reception.

Radio signal reception range: Germany (DCF77), UK (MSF)

Each reception range from the transmitting station of DCF77 and MSF is approximately 1,000 km and 500 km (1,000 km and 500 km radius of the each transmitting station). There are four time zones within the reception range.

Radio signal reception range indication-4 UK + Radio signal reception range indication-4 UK

Mainflingen transmitting station (77.5 kHz)

Anthorn transmitting station (60.0 kHz)

1,000 km

Approx. 500 km

DCF77 is operated by PTB.

Southeastern Frankfurt
Mainflingen transmitting station (77.5 kHz)

PTB: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt

MSF is operated by NPL.

Northern England
Anthorn transmitting station
Frequency: 60.0 kHz

NPL: National Physical Laboratory

Even within the reception range, weather conditions, terrain, buildings, and orientation may mean that reception is not possible.
Environments in which it is difficult to receive a radio signal

Use of automatic reception is recommended, as this time frame is optimal for automatic reception.

To improve radio signal reception

Place the watch in a place where it can easily receive a radio signal such as near a window.

Improve radio signal reception + Improve radio signal reception

Antenna

The antenna is embedded at the 9 o’clock position of the watch.

Turning the antenna toward the outside of a window or the direction facing transmitting stations helps improve radio signal reception.

Locations of transmitting stations
Radio signal reception range indication

Do not move the watch while it is receiving radio signals.

To enhance the reception of radio signals, do not move the watch or do not change the orientation of the watch while it is receiving radio signals.

If the button or crown is operated while the watch is receiving a radio signal, the reception will be cancelled.

The place where the watch is put before going to bed

Place the watch next to a window facing in the direction of a transmitting station before bedtime because automatic reception is performed late at night.
The standard radio signal is influenced by the distance from the transmitting station, as well as by terrain (including buildings) and weather conditions.
Also, please search for a place to easily receive radio signals when attempting reception.

Environments in which it is difficult to receive a radio signal

Avoid putting the watch in such places when it receives radio signals.

Difficult to receive a radio signal-1
Difficult to receive a radio signal-2
Difficult to receive a radio signal-3

Close to home electrical appliances such as TV’s, refrigerators or air conditioners

Close to OA equipment such as mobile phones, personal computers or fax machines

Close to steel desks or other furniture made of metal

In places generating radio interference, such as construction sites or places with heavy traffic

Close to overhead power lines, TV stations, train cables

Difficult to receive a radio signal-4
Difficult to receive a radio signal-5

Inside a building, between tall buildings, underground

Inside a vehicle, train, or airplane

CAUTION

The watch may display the wrong time if it fails to receive radio signals properly because of interference.
The watch may also fail to receive radio signals properly depending on the location or radio wave receiving conditions.
In this case, move the watch to another place where it can receive radio signals.

When the watch is out of reception range, its accurate quartz movement (loss / gain: ±15 seconds per month on average) will continue to keep the time.

The time signal transmission may be stopped during maintenance of the facilities of the (each) transmitting station or because of a lightning strike.
In such a case, see the (each) station’s website for further information or contact SEIKO CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER.

Websites of transmission stations (As of August 2020)

Japan:

National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (Japan Standard Time Project) http://jjy.nict.go.jp/

China:

U.S.A.:

Germany:

UK: