It clearly states in FED 5-6 that a quarter ends when the signal sounds. However, if time expires and the horn mechanism for whatever reason is behind by a significant amount, can the officials end the quarter if they have definite knowledge that the time has expired? I brought this up in an association meeting once and the interpreter said that the officials can end the period if they are sure time has expired. What do you all think? I usually like to follow the rule book, but if time has expired and 10 seconds later the horn still has not sounded, I have a hard time continuing play.

Well this situation is covered directly in the Rulebook and Casebook. To me that is the best way to handle this situation, because there is a clear remedy for what takes place. The only way you should not end a quarter is if you do not have definite knowledge. I really do not believe you will get a debate on this one. But I have been wrong before.

Peace

In such a case, the horn is obviously not working properly. Yes, you should end the quarter.

In a situation where the clock is stop be the timer, it displays 0:00, time has not expire. The ball should be put in play and when the clock starts, the horn should sound almost immediately. That's really what 5-6 is really addressing.

I once was in a state-quarter (playin', not reffin') with the clock broken in the first quarter. Couldn't hear any whistles, so the back-up was a knotted white towel thrown onto the floor. It worked ...sorta. :(

Was that back when you will still using peach baskets?

They had nets then. ...and hot pants and knee socks. :)

And Converse All-Stars, and Pumas!

Converse All-stars - canvas, white high-tops.
A roll of tape on each ankle.
School bought us two pair per season.

We wore "daisy dukes" and canvas cons.

This is exactly what happened in the 4A girls regional final here this past season. White is down one with the ball as time is running out. A foul was called while a player was in the act of shooting, the timer stopped the clock and despite showing all zeros no horn sounded. The clock in this gym does NOT display tenths of a second.
Sadly, the three officials botched it. Two of them came together and discussed the play, confirmed that neither heard a horn, and decided to shoot the two free throws with the lane cleared. The third official, the only female in the crew, had no part in the play or discussion at all.
The girl made the first, missed the second, and the game eventually was decided in double OT.
I was disappointed to see that the officials selected for the regional final didn't know the rule.

Nevadaref,

If I understand what you're saying, you disagree with Rut? You're saying the officials should have called the game over? What are we saying here? Is the period over if the officials have knowledge, or are we going with the horn?

No, that's not what he's saying. He saying that the FTs should have been shot WITH PLAYERS ON THE LANE, not with a clear lane.

2 pair of sneakers, tape...or ankles?

Yes.

There has been no disagreement in response to your situation, excluding Rut since I have no idea what he means, can't follow the double negatives. The solution is to go with the horn, but there can only be 9 tenths of a sec. remaining at the most, so if it clearly goes more than a second you should declare the quarter over. You should not just keep playing for five-ten seconds, just because the horn is not sounding.