# I need a new alarm clock

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-alarm-clock/206550>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [October 9, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-alarm-clock/206550 "2003-10-09T22:16:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-alarm-clock/206550/1 "2003-10-09T22:16:28Z")

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My old, trusty atomic alarm clock recently decided to ignore the “alarm” part of its job description, so I’m in the market for a new one. I’m having real problems finding the exact clock I want, and my specifications aren’t terribly unreasonable (I think). Here they are:

1. Must be set by the atomic clock radio signal.
2. Must be permanently backlit (meaning I should be able to read it in a pitch-black room without reaching over and pressing a button.)
3. Must be digital.
4. Must have a fairly loud alarm.
5. Must not be a large, bulky, combination radio-cd-toaster that takes up half my desk.

I can find clocks meet any 4 out of these 5 specs, but none that pass all of them. Any ideas?

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**Author:** ![Matchka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Matchka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Matchka)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-alarm-clock/206550/2 "2003-10-09T23:22:08Z")

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Congratulations! I’d say you’ve got some real patent possibilities there! Design said clock and secure it before someone else reads this post!