Why does some atomic clock set themself instantly and others do not ?

[andreboutet]

I live in eastern Canada

I just bought a brand new Oregon Scientific atomic alarm clock and it seems to never be able to sets itself. And it's been 2 full days.

STRANGE - Because i own a completely different brand of self-setting clock, it's an emerson research clock that sets itself in less than 3 SECONDS when i plug it in the AC outlet.

So my question is : Is there some kind of different "mechanism" involves or way for these 2 clocks to connect to the radio signal in Colorado ?

 

[zealot_guy]

A REAL atomic clock will automatically set itself. The synchronization with the official US atomic clock is what makes it so special. So, if you need to set it yourself, it isn't an atomic clock.