My Homebrew SWL UTC Clock

[ridgescan]

I got bored yesterday so I decided to customize my UTC wall clock-which originally had Corvette pics on it. I gutted that out and fabbed in that image of the sx-88's "H" and meter from a photo I printed up on paper.. the #s are obviously hand written in with erasible ink (so I can change them for DST)
I only wish I could figure how to get the little squawkbox in there that makes engine sounds to instead make shortwave sounds every hour that would kick a$$!

[corbintechboy]

Originally Posted by ridgescan

I got bored yesterday so I decided to customize my UTC wall clock-which originally had Corvette pics on it. I gutted that out and fabbed in that image of the sx-88's "H" and meter from a photo I printed up on paper.. the #s are obviously hand written in with erasible ink (so I can change them for DST)
I only wish I could figure how to get the little squawkbox in there that makes engine sounds to instead make shortwave sounds every hour that would kick a$$!

Looks cool.

But why did you "the #s are obviously hand written in with erasible ink (so I can change them for DST)"? UTC does not celebrate DST. I just take a mental note when doing conversion but with that clock no conversion is needed.

EDIT: Or is it just a matter of the position of the hands?

[ridgescan]

Originally Posted by corbintechboy

Looks cool.


EDIT: Or is it just a matter of the position of the hands?

Thanks and yeah-the position of the hands, because I also like to see my local time at a glance.

[zl2taw]

ridgy I like that clock very much,
its umm different

[ridgescan]

Originally Posted by zl2taw

ridgy I like that clock very much,
its umm different

haha putting it mildly eh Doug?! It's at least good for yukks-did ya notice I even painted the originally black hands-so the red second hand sorta looks like part of the meter as it sweeps over it and the others show up on the dark.

[majoco]

I cheated - found a jpg of a ships radio room clock and put my callsign in the middle (Irfanview does the job!) then scaled it to fit a give-away clock that's supposed to look like an aircraft instrument. I tink it looks pretty cool - perhaps I'll have a go at an S-meter too!

[ridgescan]

damn good job there you could actually charge money for yours mine's crude but does the job. I was in HRO last week and they want $60 for one that's half as neat as yours. No thanks-which is why I made my own as well.
I should figure out something better for the #s-maybe small stencils or removable decals?

[searingxheretic]

If the face of the clock is plastic/acrylic, get some printable static cling sheets and print the numbers in a nice font and static cling them. That way you can remove/rearrange them very easily for DST as you stated above.
http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...-Static-Cling/

Sent from my cm_tenderloin

[corbintechboy]

You all are giving me ideas.

After I get moved (finally bought a home on 5.5 acres, my antenna heaven ) I will have to set something up.

[kruser]

That's a cool idea Ridge and majoco.

Now I know what I'll be doing the next rainy day when I don't have any radios to work on or the antennas are disconnected for Tstorms in the area!

[mass-man]

You know Ridge, I bet you could open up the little box that is makng the exhaust noise...get the part number for the chip, do a search for the pin outs and give a go at programming a SW sound or two. I did that with the guts of a couple of those talking greeting cards...bet it will work for you.

[majoco]

Now that sounds like a monster idea - I wonder if you could make it talk on the hour......

"At the tone.......it's joe time......"

(you civilians will have to find a meaning for "joe")

[zl2taw]

nice clock Martin
Where are the hands ?

[ridgescan]

Originally Posted by searingxheretic

If the face of the clock is plastic/acrylic, get some printable static cling sheets and print the numbers in a nice font and static cling them. That way you can remove/rearrange them very easily for DST as you stated above.
http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...-Static-Cling/

Sent from my cm_tenderloin

good idea!

Originally Posted by mass-man

You know Ridge, I bet you could open up the little box that is makng the exhaust noise...get the part number for the chip, do a search for the pin outs and give a go at programming a SW sound or two. I did that with the guts of a couple of those talking greeting cards...bet it will work for you.

ha! I'm afraid to know what ya made those cards say

[majoco]

Doug, I had to "white-out" the printed hands else I'd get confused (not difficult) - mind you that not such a silly idea - a different coloured hand for the UTC hour.......hmmmmm

[corbintechboy]

what would be cool is use ball bearings to make the inner rotatable. Then it can be rotated for DST and keep the same look. Or even liquid (more difficult), think compass.

That would be neat!

[k9rzz]

I'll take Halicrafters over Corvette any day.

(or would I? Hmmmm .. )

Nice clocks!

[Squad10]

Forget the squawkbox making shortwave sounds. Have it say, Dr. Zarkov calling Flash.

[ridgescan]

Originally Posted by k9rzz

I'll take Halicrafters over Corvette any day.

(or would I? Hmmmm .. )

Nice clocks!

thanks k9-me too-the clock was a gift from Rose's kid who meant well knowing I'm a car nut-but didn't know I don't care for 'vettes. I prefer muscle cars that seat 4

Originally Posted by Squad10

Forget the squawkbox making shortwave sounds. Have it say, Dr. Zarkov calling Flash.

ah same year as the radio-that would fit!