Alarm clock problems I really like the idea of this radio, but it has some issues right now. I will keep away from the ones we all know about.First, I want it to be a FM radio bedside alarm clock. I tried the internet radio thing, but the first morning I used it, the station was off the air, so all I got was nothing but the "too-bright" backlight. It needs a way to have a backup station.When the alarm does off off in the morning, the clock starts to run slow! After ten minutes, it is off by at least two minutes.I have the backlighting turned off for normal operations. How can I quickly display the current time for a short period of time? If I press any button, I get the main screen and not the clock screen.I have loaded the latest firmware from their site. I would love to get my hands on the source code and really make this thing fly. Alarm clock problems I really like the idea of this radio, but it has some issues right now. I will keep away from the ones we all know about.First, I want it to be a FM radio bedside... » Read More Alarm clock problems I really like the idea of this radio, but it has some issues right now. I will keep away from the ones we all know about.First, I want it to be a FM radio bedside alarm clock. I tried the internet radio thing, but the first morning I used it, the station was off the air, so all I got was nothing but the "too-bright" backlight. It needs a way to have a backup station.When the alarm does off off in the morning, the clock starts to run slow! After ten minutes, it is off by at least two minutes.I have the backlighting turned off for normal operations. How can I quickly display the current time for a short period of time? If I press any button, I get the main screen and not the clock screen.I have loaded the latest firmware from their site. I would love to get my hands on the source code and really make this thing fly. « Show Less
1327955
It's been a while George, but if I recall correctly you need to temporarily enable SSID broadcast to set it up. Then you can disable again.
1327956
OK, I will post a more detailed explanation when I have more time, but I have found through trial and error that the device will find the network much faster when your router is NOT broadcasting SSID. I have no idea why, or if it will even help in your case, but it may be worth a try.
1327957
When the radio "forgets" the security code, have you tried to power it off, wait a few seconds, and power it on again? When initially setting up my radio and trying different wireless security settings, I found that the radio really wasn't losing the codes although it was prompting for them. Simply powering down and up again allowed it to connect.
1327958
I don't broadcast my SSID and I have not found a way yet to enter my SSID and WPA security code. How do you attach to a wireless network that is not broadcasting the SSID?
1327959
Here is another possible problem with your setup. My router's DHCP will "expire" an address after 7 days. Then, the device must ask for another address. If the router gives out a different address, the Aluratek will keep trying to talk on the old address.So, I set the router's DHCP settings to permanently assign 192.168.0.100 to the Aluratek's MAC address. That way, the two will always talk, even after a power cycle.It might even help if you force other devices to always have the same address. This will just reduce one more possible source of errors in you wireless system. Here is another possible problem with your setup. My router's DHCP will "expire" an address after 7 days. Then, the device must ask for another address. If the router gives out a different address, the Aluratek will keep trying to talk on the old address.So, I set the router's DHCP settings to permanently assign 192.168.0.100 to the Aluratek's MAC address. That way, the two will always talk, even after a power cycle.It might even help if you force other devices to always have the same address. This will just reduce one more possible source of errors in you... » Read More Here is another possible problem with your setup. My router's DHCP will "expire" an address after 7 days. Then, the device must ask for another address. If the router gives out a different address, the Aluratek will keep trying to talk on the old address.So, I set the router's DHCP settings to permanently assign 192.168.0.100 to the Aluratek's MAC address. That way, the two will always talk, even after a power cycle.It might even help if you force other devices to always have the same address. This will just reduce one more possible source of errors in you wireless system. « Show Less
1327960
Here is my last post on this subject.Yesterday, I took a day off from work. Since turning off the alarm for just one day is a pain, I decided to simply turn off the Aluratek for the night, and then turn it back on in the morning. BIG MISTAKE. Now, it will not run. I get the startup "splash" screen for a few seconds, the screen goes blank, and then NOTHING. It is now just a $130 nightlight.Too late to send back. So, I will hack into it and find a better way to use it. If I can build some new code, I let others know.
1327961
Yes, the router sends out the SSID. I have six different devices via WiFi and two via hardwire connected to the router.
1191555
Sounds like the radio has a problem. If the station you have set for alarm isn't accessible, the backup alarm 'chime' should have sounded. The fact that the clock is slow also makes me believe the radio is defective. Your question regarding having the time display quickly is a good one - I don't believe you can. It's another little annoyance in the UI that should be fixed.
2153230
My remote works pretty good. I generally only use it in the morning with the radio alarm to hit snooze. So in the dark and when I'm tired I just hit buttons in the middle of it (if you hit the red power button it shuts the alarm all the way off) until it switches to snooze on the display and I roll over for a few precious minutes of extra sleep.If I were you I would check the battery in it first - even new button batteries have been doa to me.
320418
I have 12 on these units and some are good while others are a problems. But for false signals try and check if it's happening during sunrise as the sun will cause false alarms. If so a slight adjustment could remedy the problem. Also, their customer support is pretty good. Good luck.
351883
dear mr licciardi, where we have our "alarm system" there is very little cell service. analog was our only option and never considered the question you pose. not having much tech experience i cannot help you with this. however i did fwd your message to my adult son. i hope he gets in touch with you. oh, maybe BEST BUY could offer you their advice., bms
282874
Its a great alarm clock, but it is limited to only 2 alarms. Additionally it does not allow you to designate specific days for the alarm, like the iPhone does. Hope that helps.
2022890
I rarely use the clock so I am afraid I can't help. However, in my experience, B&D; has an outstanding customer service, so you might want to get in touch with them. I agree the clock is hard to read but that's a design issue that has to be addressed with the next line of products. Another thing you could try is to use a stand-along timer that you can plug the coffee maker into. I have used this with other appliances and it works well. Good luck.
2130011
I had the same issue with mine. Had a friend use Chirp to get it to program, but after a while it would no longer connect to that and the radio completely bricked itself. I returned mine.
400294
I am sorry I am listed as purchasing this device - I wish Amazon would remove me from the list. We purchased a different clock by AUGUST which works quite well. I have been asked about playing memory cards, charging, batter back-up and other problems all about this clock radio. Please inform Amazon that I never purchased and to remove me from the 'question'/commentary on the clock. I am very sorry I couldn't help you.
345546
You are correct - the manual is useless. So neither do I know how to operate the radio. When using it on batteries it comes on by itself (runs down batteries needlessly). After losing power, either from run-down batteries or being unplugged from ac it loses all memory of station sets and time. Directions are not clear as to how to set time or preset stations. I'm ready to toss it.
1717814
See edit further down... I JUST looked through the menus when I got this question... I haven't tried it, so I don't know if it's what you're looking for, but under the "System Settings" menu, there's a menu called "Tool" that has a couple of settings that look like they might be used as timers ("Power Off," etc.). OK, edit... Had a chance to try it - only tried it with FM, but since it basically just totally powers down the whole unit, it should work for all functions. Using the above instructions, and using the "Power Off" menu, you can set the timer in 10-minute increments, up to 120 minutes. When done, it powers off the entire unit; to get it to turn back on, you must press and HOLD the right-most button. It was a little disconcerting when I tried to use the "Menu" button to turn it back on, and nothing happened... Once the timer has turned the unit off, the timer is reset to "0" -i.e., the timer is not active. Because of the way you set it, I was afraid it might stay set on a 10-minute turn-off until I went back in and zeroed it, but that's not the case. If you want the timer again, you have to reset it, each time. I also do not agree that it's not worth the very low price. I find the sound pretty good, the volume is good, etc. I'd like to know what some people thought they were going to get for such a low price... Then again, they may have simply received a bad unit... . .
1453535
I have had similar issues. My alarm has went off at incorrect times and twice now the alarm did not go off at all. I have since switched to a radio station for the alarm instead of my iTunes. I have not had a problem since.
1308291
When it plays music on the alarm function, is it music only, or the alarm sound as well? (I have one that simultaneously also beeps while it's on wake with music, I do not want one like that ever again.)
91453
Yes i thought Mine was broke too not sure why the clock turns off though. Thats how it works.. check out the UE boom wireless speaker u will love that one better i bought it a week ago.
93134
sorry, it's been a while since I set the clock, but I do remember that I had to set the analog clock manually (i.e. set it digitally and have the hands then move automatically to match the digitally set time)...You could also try their customer support, however, at the time I was doing my setting-up, they were surprisingly unknowledgeable about this specific model, as it was new.
970139
Not sure what your version (1.17) has/hasn't but I needed the update (to 1.37, dated 2009 May 04?) to allow the alarm to select only certain days, you know alarm 1 @5:15am on M-F and alarm 2 for whenever else I need it. With my old alarm, I was constantly forgetting to turn it back on, on Sunday.Then there's the backlight (or should I say "searchlight"?) MANY are waiting for a firmware update so you can dim it. Right now it's either off or "ON!!!" It's interesting to note I had a chance to play with the Aluratek AIREC01F and even though the interface is the same pressing the light button on the remote didn't turn it on/off. It was closer to a three-way bulb; cycling through three levels of brightness and off.HTH,-Scott Not sure what your version (1.17) has/hasn't but I needed the update (to 1.37, dated 2009 May 04?) to allow the alarm to select only certain days, you know alarm 1 @5:15am on M-F and alarm 2 for whenever else I need it. With my old alarm, I was constantly forgetting to turn it back on, on Sunday.Then there's the backlight (or should I say "searchlight"?) MANY are waiting for a firmware update so you can dim it. Right now it's either off or "ON!!!" It's interesting to note I had a chance to play with the Aluratek AIREC01F and even though the interface is the... » Read More Not sure what your version (1.17) has/hasn't but I needed the update (to 1.37, dated 2009 May 04?) to allow the alarm to select only certain days, you know alarm 1 @5:15am on M-F and alarm 2 for whenever else I need it. With my old alarm, I was constantly forgetting to turn it back on, on Sunday.Then there's the backlight (or should I say "searchlight"?) MANY are waiting for a firmware update so you can dim it. Right now it's either off or "ON!!!" It's interesting to note I had a chance to play with the Aluratek AIREC01F and even though the interface is the same pressing the light button on the remote didn't turn it on/off. It was closer to a three-way bulb; cycling through three levels of brightness and off.HTH,-Scott « Show Less
975604
It takes a couple of tries to get the clock display to flash. As soon as it flashes press the arrow buttons for the time. We had a power surge the other day and I had to reset mine.
1840651
The alarm clock is only as reliable as the clock, which randomly decides to fall behind in time. You never know when it'll be the wrong time, unless you carry a second timepiece with you, which defeats a lot of the purpose of having a cell phone these days. I've had the clock stay accurate for as long as 10 days, but I've had it fail on me 4 times in one day. Point is, you never know if you are looking at the correct time. That's unacceptable to me, but Verizon and Casio think it's fine. Casio won't respond to emails anymore, and unless Verizon does something for me, I am gone as a 10+ year loyal customer when this contract is up.... The alarm clock is only as reliable as the clock, which randomly decides to fall behind in time. You never know when it'll be the wrong time, unless you carry a second timepiece with you, which defeats a lot of the purpose of having a cell phone these days. I've had the clock stay accurate for as long as 10 days, but I've had it fail on me 4 times in one day. Point is, you never know if you are looking at the correct time. That's unacceptable to me, but Verizon and Casio think it's fine. Casio won't respond to emails anymore, and unless Verizon does something for me, I am gone as a 10+ year... » Read More The alarm clock is only as reliable as the clock, which randomly decides to fall behind in time. You never know when it'll be the wrong time, unless you carry a second timepiece with you, which defeats a lot of the purpose of having a cell phone these days. I've had the clock stay accurate for as long as 10 days, but I've had it fail on me 4 times in one day. Point is, you never know if you are looking at the correct time. That's unacceptable to me, but Verizon and Casio think it's fine. Casio won't respond to emails anymore, and unless Verizon does something for me, I am gone as a 10+ year loyal customer when this contract is up.... « Show Less