[GreenKeys] Western Union Time Service

[wa3frp at aol.com]

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????
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