the ratchet knob on the top set the time a minute per click , so it really take a lot of work to set a time 12 hour , but it do the job . the radio be not really that great but I can get local station ok . I take the clock apart and wire it to activate a fire buzzer when the alarm go off . the only part I need be a reed relay , some wire and a switch . now I can really wake up with a serious alarm . -lrb- any day of the week -rrb-