MFJ Model
123 LCD Digital "Eternity Atomic Clock"
The
discontinued MFJ Model 123 atomic clock was a nice gaget in a
good looking package and it did UTC correctly, but was expensive
at around $ 80.
The B version that replaced this model to me is ugly and is not
as nice with a too busy display (my view of course).
Discontinued Product
COUNTRY OF
MANUFACTURE : China
GOOD NEWS : Can be set for use with UTC / GMT
time (see con). As most atomic clocks are, a very accurate device,
test sample never missed over 1/2 sec (provided it received it's
once a day update from WWVB). B-I-G LCD display that read seconds
at the same time as hours/mins. Good contrast that can be viewed
from just about any angle. Solar cells mounted on cabinet allows
operation without any batteries (has 2 "AAA" backup
cavity). Generally well made. Tilt stand for use on desktop (normally
a wall clock).
BAD NEWS : No longer sold new (now discontinued).
Requires fiddling with "time zone" adjustment with use
on UTC time (when daylight savings time is in effect). Poor
owners manual that misses major points of operation. In darken
room the LCD will blank out. LCD has a dark background
to it, which can make viewing a bit of a chore in below average
lit rooms. Excessive glare from front lens if viewed too close or
at wrong angle. Steep price tag when sold new.
IS IT WORTH IT ?? : In it's stylish gold-tone
package, the MFJ-123 atomic clock is a welcome addition to any
listening post. It will indeed work with UTC
time (not
all atomic clocks will), however users will have to
fiddle twice a year with it to keep the "hour" accurate.
If you don't need UTC time, much better values can be had with
atomic clocks these days. However if you do are a SW/Ham radio
buff, it's one of the few around that works right.
What's in this box ??
As we looked at our sample of the MFJ-123 still in it's box, you
wonder what is actually in it. It arrived in a "plain jane"
white box that is totally unmarked with the exception of a very
small sticker marked "made in china". Someone could
easily think this was a box of chocolates with no problem as it's
dimensions are quite similar.
Respectable quality of product........
Something the MFJ has not been noted for over the years, but it
also must be said that MFJ more than likely did not actually make
this clock either. I will say it was likely being made in a
Chinese factory that manufactures this similar model under a slew
of names. But it was pleasant to pull out a device out of the box
with MFJ's name on it and have it work properly without have to
either send it in for replacement or have to repair it right from
the start.
(Note: we tested a MFJ LED model 114B
wall clock (non-atomic) here awhile ago and well it was a nasty
device, as it did not work out of the box and produced STRONG
amount of RF that went everywhere. Thank goodness this model has
now been discontinued.)
After switching on the rear panel on-off switch, it came to life
with no problems. After pushing the "test" button..and
about 4 mins later, boom...the clock's time day and date set
perfectly.
Nice B-I-G display with the "hours-mins" at 1 3/4
inches (45 mm), and the "seconds" digits smaller at
about 1 inch (25 mm).
The LCD has a good dark contrast, and I can read at just about
any angle. The background tends to be on the dark side, and if
used in a dimly lit room, it might be a but harder to read than
it should be. But this is not a major downfall either.
Not using a anti-glare lens , so if you read the clock too close
(say less than a foot and half from the front of it) you will
experience glare.
No Batteries Required...almost...
This clock never requires batteries for operation. The 4 solar
cells in the 123's cabinet not only runs the clock , but also
recharges it's internal battery during time for operation when
all does go dark.
During darkness the LCD display will "mute" , that is
turn off. The "little tower" and "wwvb" icons
will still appear. This is to save as much of the battery
resources as possible to operate the clock's main IC and WWVB
receiver. Once enough light reappears, the LCD will pop back on
with the current time. Of course the clock continues to count
even with the LCD muted and will also do time updates with the
WWVB receiver when the right time arrives.
Now if you are going to use the clock in above average light, it
may not of course receive enough juice to recharge the internal
battery pack. In this case a cavity for 2 AAA batteries exists
that will make up for this. But normal operation in average light
you should not need these.
A little gremlin with UTC time use.
This is my biggest "bug-a-boo" with the MFJ-123. This
clock has auto select for daylight savings time. It works in
either 12 or 24 hr modes. It cannot select that the clock is
using UTC (vs military time). So the DST setting still works in
the 24 hour setting.
So if you are using the clock during the time of the year that
DST is in effect, you will find the UTC setting to be off by one
hour. One needs to select the "time zone" for "
- 1 " (minus one)
during DST , and that will cover it. But of course when DST drops
back to standard time, one will have to fiddle with it again (setting
it to - 0 offset), otherwise it will be off as the unit with
correct for standard time. This should be done after the "test"
and sync with WWVB has been completed.
Thank goodness at least way to get around the problem, but a bit
of a pain indeed.
Manual a "Real Stinker", What is the Clock's
Update Time(s) ???
For the most part the thin little manual does explain the sets
operation as far as getting it up and running. However one
gremlin that bothered me to no end was the fact it missed
information on how the atomic clock function actually works.
Nothing about the fact that after you have pushed the "test"
button and have it up and running, that once a day it will
automatically update the clock to keep in accurate.
After trial and error I did indeed find the time that it does it's
update. It's at 2:00 AM (02:00 in 24 hr mode). The little 3 waves
above the tower icon on the display will start pulsing. If for
some reason the signal is too weak / thunderstorm / TV set noise
etc, it will quit about 1min and try again at the top of every
hour until it does. When it does finally receive it's daily
update, you will see the 3 waves above the tower icon become
solid to let you know that it has done it for that 24 hour period.
I contacted MFJ customer service (at time of writing) on this
matter and came up with the no information from them (so
received no solid help from MFJ on this question).
Outside The USA.....Forget It !!!
It needs to be pointed out here even if it is common sense. If
you live outside the USA, either one of these models will not
work, at least with the auto time setting with WWVB. You of
course need to be within receiving range of the 60 khz signal
being transmitted from Colorado in the USA.
The clock can indeed be set manually, but that takes most of the
real reason away to own one of these.
Worthwhile Device but was a bit too costly.....No Longer Sold New.
I love being able to have a accurate UTC clock that
displays seconds at the same time. And most important stays
accurate without a lot of hassle. The MFJ 123 fits the bill real
well.
This model has been discontinued and replaced with a totally
different 123 "B" model at the time this report was
being updated (same price, NOT tested). I do not care for the
case style with it's rounded edges and other items that is
displays (could care less about temperature etc....). I have not
tested this model, so have no infromation on it's performance.
Dave N9EWO
© 2008
N9EWO
Ver. 3.0
Discontinued
Product