[GreenKeys] Western Union Time Service

[brooke at pacific.net]

Hi Larry:

Not really.  I've tried but have not been able to make fine adjustments. 
Remember that stopping the pendulum and restarting it changes the rate. 
The master clocks have a pan on the pendulum rod so small weights can be
added and removed while the clock is running.  In this case you set the
nut so the clock is as close as you can get but on the fast side.  Then
add the wax.

Have Fun,

Brooke Clarke
http://www.prc68.com

Larry Tighe wrote:
> Brooke,
>
> Can't you make the needed adjust with the knurled adjustment?  I've made
> fractional turns to comepete with WWV :>)
>
> lar
> ----- Original Message ----- From: <brooke at pacific.net>
> To: "GreenKeys List" <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
> Cc: <wa3frp at aol.com>
> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 2:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [GreenKeys] Western Union Time Service
>
>
>> 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