actually, its quite a common hobby. You'd be surprised how many of us siren enthusiasts there really are. I'm also into belly dance.... people think thats odd too. But its my passion :)
The Chrysler siren was built for use with gasoline but some of them were converted to propane use. Also, some early ACA Allertors were gasoline powered, as were some portable sirens used by Civil Defence in Denmark and other countries.
I personally think the best sirens for people who can't stand loud noises are Thunderbolts set to a low setting. That's what's in my town, and I never get a headache after testing like I do with other sirens.
@Glendale41 Actually, it depends on the city/town you live in. They may test Attack for tornado warnings, alert for all clear, alert for warnings with no all clear, it varies.
I talked to Dave Wherry a couple months ago and he said that they have a contract with Exelon to install somewhere around 400 total new Tempest (T-128 and T-135AC/DC) warning sirens for their nuclear plants in Illinois. I'd say they're doing just fine ;)
Yes, the American Signal Tempest 128 are very modern, and sound vintage. They sell fairly good, American Signal is making good money off the Tempest series.
Our sirens were used for air raids and nuclear fall outs. Now, they are used for nuclear problems at plants and are also used for volunteer fire departments and weather problems. If we had sirens for fires like in Germany, there would be billions of sirens going off in California.
... i used to hear this one all the time out in grafton, ma ... tested these kind off during midweek about once a month ... in my mind i'd imagine if people thought it was a test and went about their business and all of a sudden a nuke went BOOM! .. not for real, but it looks cool in my head ... kinda like a the day after ...
I'm afraid you're wrong. Yes the T-128 is a very loud siren but it's bigger cousin the T-135 has it beat. It's the loudest siren produced in the world today at 135bd @ 100ft where the T-128 is 128db @ 100ft. The loudest siren ever made was the Chrysler "Big Joe" air raid siren. It was made by the same Chrysler who makes cars. It ran on a 180HP Hemi gas engine and was rated at 137db @ 100ft.
our sirens in gemany called "hochleistungsdruckluftsirene" they have a volume of 128,5 db but why do you need so many sirens in the USA? in Germany we only have 100 or some more and they only crying when it burn anywhere but not yet by a tornado!!!
@twotailedavenger At its actual volume (I have my speakers down WAY low when watching siren videos!) the 2001 gives me a HORRIFIC headache. Fortunately for me, the 2001 that I discovered in my town - it replaced a Thunderbolt! :( - is far away so I don't hear it during tests. xD
@rykember11 Lesse... Their decision mainly? It's alot more cost effective than re-working a T-bolt, and you gotta keep one thing in mind buddy. These are for the safety of the PUBLIC, not your entertainment. EMA will go with what they deem will serve the public best for safety.
I'd be interesting for a police car to have this. Cop: GET OUT OF TAH CAR!!!!! *voice coved by siren* Robber: They arent doing anything lets get the hell outta here! Cop: That damned siren is too loud!!!!!!
@rolltidemobile Agreed....The Thunderbolt is Probably the Scariest Sounding Siren Ever made...i sure wish they would make them again.......besides...Single tone Sucks....UNLESS its a Thunderbolt 1000 :-)
