Hi Oliver,

> DCF77 works only around Frankfurt, Germany.
No !

Right: DCF77 works within 2000km around Frankfurt, Germany.

See at:
http://www.ptb.de/english/org/4/43/433/disse.htm


I have seen a defect battery eating the copper of the pcb.
Maybe, the fully encapsulated Dallas RTCs are proofed against loosing battery acid.

Also a Goldcap (1F) can power modern RTC circuits many days (e.g. 35 days at 1µA). Its more expensive as a battery, but many more reliable.

DCF77 was good for applications, which need seldom return from power off, or to correct the crystal time base deviation over many days.
Also it need good receive conditions (no metal case, less interference).


Peter