The Siren Board

I just returned from my holiday in South Africa, but it made me wonder if there were any air raid/civil-related warning systems in the country.

I didn't find any other than just a PA system on the beach front, is there any warning systems there?

A few years ago I remember reading an online article that showed a picture of a greenish-white HLS set up somewhere in South Africa. I'm guessing the Germans donated some of their old equipment to some more remote parts?

Shame that they're not in Durban directly. Well, maybe sometime I go to Germany I'll record one there.

MrPulse wrote:

Shame that they're not in Durban directly. Well, maybe sometime I go to Germany I'll record one there.

I would not. Only 2 Towns in Germany still use their HLS. All other ones are out of order, disconnected or not testet.

These 2 towns are Darmstadt and Nu?dorf. Darmstadt has a 4 or 5 HLS373 (and used to have some RickmersWerft HLS) and Nu?dorf a PintschBamag HLS.


No, i think, everyone bought them, Finnland has a couple of H?rmann HLS, one is in Israel, and some more were exportet, even England bought a F71.

Elektror S3b wrote:

MrPulse wrote:

Shame that they're not in Durban directly. Well, maybe sometime I go to Germany I'll record one there.

I would not. Only 2 Towns in Germany still use their HLS. All other ones are out of order, disconnected or not testet.

These 2 towns are Darmstadt and Nu?dorf. Darmstadt has a 4 or 5 HLS373 (and used to have some RickmersWerft HLS) and Nu?dorf a PintschBamag HLS.


No, i think, everyone bought them, Finnland has a couple of H?rmann HLS, one is in Israel, and some more were exportet, even England bought a F71.

Yeah some electromechanical ones aren't in use anymore, but the Feuerwehr have some E57s that go off every weekend or when there is a firecall.

I better hunt down a Hormann elektronische siren then, since those are common in rural areas where theres flooding. If not then it's tough luck for me.

MrPulse wrote: Yeah some electromechanical ones aren't in use anymore, but the Feuerwehr have some E57s that go off every weekend or when there is a firecall.

I better hunt down a Hormann elektronische siren then, since those are common in rural areas where theres flooding. If not then it's tough luck for me.

Yes, nearly every E57 is in use and tested regulary.
And if you find a ECN/ECL or an other electronic siren it will be working, but you'll have to ask when it is tested.

Sorry and yes, a necrobump but this is entirely related to the warning systems in Southern Africa (and others that I was not even aware of)

http://www.whelen.com/pb/Mass%20Notific ... cation.pdf

I was reading this PDF, and there's a list (page 11) of where the apparent Whelens are around the globe. Apparently South Africa has a Whelen siren, but couldn't confirm as it may have been in an area I've not been to. (unless I look at street view)

England, Israel and Iceland are in the list as well. For some reason they've listed British Petroleum and Tesco??

I believe most BP plants there have electronic sirens, so there ought to be some Whelens out there. I've only seen pics of Modulators in Cape Town but I wouldn't doubt there's a Whelen or two at various other facilities.

The pneumatic siren is a 1970's Pintsch-Bamag located in Pretoria. It was part of a network of civil defense sirens used when the area was at war with neighboring countries.
http://forum.ig-wasi.de/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=791 *Mostly German*

In the forum they spoke about how the HLS could come to South Africa. There stands another Pintsch-Bamag in the city. They have street view so you can watch them.