While I don't have photos of every siren in Beaver Dam, here's what I have so far:
City Hall 2001-130
This replaced a classic Mobil Directo in 2011. On a wind-free day the 2001-130 can be heard easily but most of the time I find it only covers the downtown block - it fails to get its sound through the hills.
- City hall siren.
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This SD-10 was left in place while most of its brethren were replaced or turned off. Every week it can easily be heard through the hills thanks to its low, droning dual tone sound. It will eventually be replaced but it is a treat to hear it go off during tests in the meantime.
- Curie Street.
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To my surprise, this SD-10 was still in place. It is located on the corner of a small park. I believe it was decommissioned once the new 2001-130 went up. Some of the control wires were cut however I don't believe the siren was entirely mothballed. I did record it years ago and it sounded pretty good back then. It is somewhat rusted out thanks to paint peeling and giving way to the elements. Unusually, it has a Whelen electric box and the timer badges were painted over.
I did a brief tour video of this siren, mostly to test out the new camera - since it isn't going off, I'll post it here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALX_mWHqbg8
- Under the pole.
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- Paint peeling on boxes.
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- Close up.
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- Cut wires.
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Further down the road is the new 2001-130. It is located closer to the park, possibly to accommodate the SD-10 being left in place. Some of the old sirens were left in place until the new ones were ensured, while others were cleared out immediately because the new siren went up in the same spot. It wasn't the most well thought-out siren upgrade. The 2001-130s make the same sound we're all familiar with: high pitched squeal. Careful inspection reveals a small spot of dirt next to the hornlet array and box.
- 2001-130 boxes.
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- 2001-130 head.
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And here is an old photo of the classic Mobil Directo, taken back in 2011. Easily one of the best sirens I've ever seen and heard. It was first mentioned on the old WisconsinSirens website however it was mis-labeled as an Allertor.
I first saw this siren back in 2009 when I recorded it - back then no one had a clue what the Mobil Directos sounded like, so it was a real treat to find out it used a 10-12 blade fan and drum like the early Allertors. It was so impressive I went out to record it again in 2010, now going off for a longer test signal. The 2010 video can still be found on my WISirenVideos Youtube account. The last time I saw this siren was in March 2011, just a few days before its removal. All looked fine so it was a total shock to learn it was replaced.
- BN44E - 1963 to 2011.
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