Radio Room Clock

G

GM0WEZ

Super Member
This is a Smiths 'Astral' Radio Room Clock, with a clockwork 8 day movement. The 3 minute CW 500kHz silence periods at 15 minutes past and 15 minutes to are original. The 2182kHz phone silence periods at minutes 00 and 30 were added in translucent tape by a former owner - most likely when it was in service.

I think these clocks are a nice addition to the shack and functional too. There are a lot of reproductions out there, but originals do come up on ebay regularly. I have seen a lot of ships clocks on ebay from the Indian shipbreaking yards which are clearly ordinary non- radio room ships clocks with additional markings added by a local dial painter. Typically they forget the 12 4-second markings for the auto alarm.

73,

Pete GM0WEZ
 

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Nice.

How much do the genuine ones go for on eBay?

What is the purpose of the "12 4-second markings for the auto alarm".
 
Maybe £100-£150 plus for a genuine 8 day clockwork one, much more for desirable makes like the American Chelsea.  Though there is a genuine Polish made WSV going cheap just now but it needs mechanical repair to the clockwork:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Radio-silence-Ww2-Wall-Clock/174370497335?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

The auto alarm (to wake 'Sparks' up) was triggered by receiving 12 four second bursts of carrier with a 1 second delay between each burst. The markings enable this to be done manually. At least that is my understanding - I've never been a maritime radio officer but I have an interest in the subject.


 
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