EOWS Siren Controller Differences?

[Vey198885]

Why do people replace EOWS siren controllers? Is there any difference? Are they upgraded because the newer controllers can produce more signals?

Personally, I think the classic SiraTone controller is the best. Its a shame most are replaced.

[Stormsetter4]

Why do people replace EOWS siren controllers? Is there any difference? Are they upgraded because the newer controllers can produce more signals?

Personally, I think the classic SiraTone controller is the best. Its a shame most are replaced.

They are upgraded because the SiraTone controllers are quite honestly a piece of junk. They were a very rushed product that had lots of problems. Newer controllers are more reliable and less prone to failures.

[SoundMaster 391]

All of Hawaii's EOWS 612's and 1212's before had SiraTone controllers on them. But around 2012 through 2013, they were being upgraded to UltraVoice controllers. Now almost every EOWS siren in Hawaii is upgraded to UltraVoice.

[uncommonsense]

All of Hawaii's EOWS 612's and 1212's before had SiraTone controllers on them. But around 2012 through 2013, they were being upgraded to UltraVoice controllers. Now almost every EOWS siren in Hawaii is upgraded to UltraVoice.

And that was done to allow them to be activated by cellular

[SoundMaster 391]

All of Hawaii's EOWS 612's and 1212's before had SiraTone controllers on them. But around 2012 through 2013, they were being upgraded to UltraVoice controllers. Now almost every EOWS siren in Hawaii is upgraded to UltraVoice.

And that was done to allow them to be activated by cellular

Yes that too.

[EOWS1212man]

SiraTone controllers contain electronics dating back to the early 1980s, making any still that are in use well over 30 years old. If you are still using electronics from the 80s, you are asking for problems. Hawaii arguably has the biggest EOWS system in existence, and there is a damn good reason they replaced all of the SiraTone controllers with the newer and better designed UV controller, have a look. And keep in mind, SiraTone controllers are set to peak at 850 and 1020 Hz.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ntk_XNqA-U


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIIMJQSayZ0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRrvADgXLEU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhopvsJGfDs
Say in Hawaii at oh, 2am while people are sleeping, and a Tsunami decides to come barreling towards the islands, the siren in their area is experiencing problems and doesn't sound off the way it's supposed to. If they live anywhere near the water, they are facing an almost certain watery doom.

This one ain't Hawaii, but is the worst I have personally heard. That helicopter noise isn't a helicopter, it is the siren screaming to be put out of its misery. Eventually the poor thing gives up and fades away. As someone else said, SiraTones were very poorly designed, they were rushed out on the market to compete with Whelen.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMChz-0juM0
Now, to end this post with a literal "Bang"!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3KnN5APz44

[SoundMaster 391]

Here are some videos of the newly upgraded UV EOWS sirens. Randall Noguchi (Reception73) told me that the EOWS sirens were installed in the early 90's. So by 2012 the SiraTone controls would be over 20 years old already. I guess HI-EMA knew that the controllers were too old already and that they needed to be replaced. Especially since every island in Hawaii has EOWS sirens.

https://youtu.be/g27sNAF9A78

https://youtu.be/We8Mgv8Z1is

https://youtu.be/FxSqtIUuhms

https://youtu.be/vwY-vBh8rjc

[Vey198885]

Why does Hawaii only have EOWS? And why the 612? I think it would be cheaper to have 1-2 EOWS 816's than 4-5 EOWS 612's in, lets say, a small city.

[Mark N]

Why does Hawaii only have EOWS? And why the 612? I think it would be cheaper to have 1-2 EOWS 816's than 4-5 EOWS 612's in, lets say, a small city.

It could be a few things:

• When purchased, the 408 and 816s were out of production
• They thought the design was a little off the cuff on both extremes and went with the 612
• Its probably even more expensive to have the 816 vs the 612 due to drivers and all
• Omnidirectional sirens have the advantage of consistency over unidirectional ones, hence why they had 1212s as well

Remember, there's (hopefully) careful consideration when a system is put in place, so the directors weigh the options vs the environment.

[Gil]

Reliability is probably the biggest reason.