The Siren Board

I hate to see the older Whelens go, but the 2910's, with their lower pitch and higher DB rating, will cover larger areas.

I don't know about you guies, but the 2910 is one of my favorite newer siren models, despite them being electronic. I like them more for their ability to carry for incredible distances, rather than for their sound.

It would be neat if someone on here could get a hold of one of the 4000's' rotators, since they won't be needed any more.

Unless we get some crazy severe weather outbreak over the Winter (which happens occasionally around here), I wouldn't doubt if the St. Louis County T-Bolts and 2T22s wailed their last hurrahs last Wednesday night.

Over the past 28 years, occasionally on the first Monday of the month siren tests, the Whelen 2000s and 3016s have been tested in the Attack mode a few times, especially when they were brand new.

They still test them the first Monday of each month. That might be the only way to catch them in action unless there are storms.

Sorry! I meant excluding the monthly tests! 8)

Do they use a different mode for tests then they do for actual warnings?

bradhig wrote:Do they use a different mode for tests then they do for actual warnings?

Nope. They use a 4 minute alert for tests and emergencies (at least on the older models. I timed it once and remember thinking what a strange setting it was). Now I was not even a figment of my parents' imaginations in 1982, but FedTB makes it sound like they tested them in attack when they were first installed. I know they've tested them in attack (by mistake?) a few times since. Otherwise, its usually just the alert.

I'm not sure if they were tested by mistake in 'Attack' mode or if EMA decided to do something other than 'Alert' for a change. Personally I think that they SHOULD be tested in 'Attack' mode every so often.

I didn't want to make a new topic, but during this month's test I was able to hear the St. Louis County system in Jefferson County. I am located 8-10 miles south of any siren in St. Louis County. This is the first time I've ever heard any sirens at my location in the distance. I heard several wind-ups and even a possible mechanical siren. I heard several sirens with the newest Whelen tone, so I assume I am hearing possible new installations. This is impressive considering the terrain and hills between my location and St. Louis County system which is 8-10 miles away. There is a system of ATI sirens in Arnold, MO between my location at St. Louis County which I've never heard that are about 5 miles away.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/10/19 ... sirens.mp3

If anyone's interested, take a listen to the recording and help me identify exactly what's in the distance. Thanks!

Is fileden working, now - or still riddled with viruses??

OK, today, of all days, New Years Eve Day, was quite possibly THEE last time that we'll ever hear the St. Louis County T-Bolts and 2T22s. I thought that the night before Thanksgiving when the sirens went off would definately be the last time (what is it with holidays and Tornado Warnings in St. Louis County lately??!!).

For those that haven't heard, St. Louis County was struck by a couple of tornadoes this morning, one which has been estimated to be between a high end EF-3 to a low end EF-4! That hasn't occurred in 44 years in this area!

So the sirens in St. Louis County blasted a couple of times during the Tornado Warning. I was able to hear one of the Whelen WPS-3016s here in St. Charles County where I live. I had just come out of a Kohl's store when the siren across the street at the fire station (roughly 400 feet away!) went off right at 11 AM. I had no idea that severe weather was coming!

Even though they're Whelens, it's still a little spooky when they're activated for Tornado Warnings. Especially unexpected ones!