Air Raid / Tornado Warning Siren Commentary

[@iasirensandmore3868]

My area has a lot of air raid sirens, such as Many Whelen 2800s, Many Whelen 2900s, Many Whelen Vortexes, Many Whelen 4004s, Some Whelen 3016s, 2 Federal Signal XT22s, a Few Federal Signal Model 5s, one Federal Signal Modulator, one Darley champion, countless FS 2001s, 2 Sentry 16V1TBs, one Modified Sentry, and Many t-128s

[@laaeeh]

I just have Whelen hornets xD

[@LethalNxmba]

That’s Georgia for ya

[@LethalNxmba]

They only have whelen lmao

[@ThisChannelIsNoLongerActiv-i7m]

I lived in a place with fs model 7ts, cyclones, alertronics, banshees, and-10s, fs stl -10s, thunderbolts, 2001s, and modulators but they were all taken down and replaced by fs 508s, 2001s, and Whelen 2800s

[@CentralTexasSirens]

3:20 rare port SD-10 =D

[@Nirvoxide]

Same port ratio it’s just a little underpowered

[@hobbeekid]

Hopefully this will help you out on your 2t22 find,there's a couple of them down in the LA area as of the mid 2006/7 when last published. One is located in Ontario at Chaffey Collage on campus. It was mounted on a pole and was quite low to the ground. Don't know if It's still standing or not today. The other one is/was located somewhere in Culver City Ca.The 2t22 is by far one of my favorites.

[@DayTrippingAdventurer]

Awesome! I will definitely add this to my wish list of sirens to check out. Thank you for the heads up!

[@hobbeekid]

Hey DayTripping, just found the location of the second 2t22, it's actually in west Los Angeles on top of the Brentwood Theater, Veterans Administration campus. Not Culver City as I stated earlier. Good hunting!!!

[@nicodimatteo]

@@DayTrippingAdventurer can you make the the reason video of the Los Angeles siren sound because itwas it was deleted

[@nicodimatteo]

@@DayTrippingAdventurer OK the SD 10 siren 500 SHTT and a federal model 5T they sound a lot creepier imagine I was in Los Angeles, California I would hear 96 SD 10 sirens and I also would hear 69 federal 500 SHTTs and I would hear several model 5T sirens. I would literally get chills on my back at this point. 4:59

[@nicodimatteo]

@@DayTrippingAdventurer Eddystone had a federal signal Corp. model 5T it goes off for fire department calls and curfew hours but in 2023. I found out that when I went to Eddystone again the model 5T has been taken down by the construction people. They were doing construction on the Eddystone Pennsylvania police station, and the old fire house that was in Eddystone Pennsylvania was where the model 5T was standing

[@theericfreeze1493]

I remember hearing some information about the mobile-directo being used east coast for air raid attacks. I was always fascinated with the mobile-directo since seeing one at a elementary school in Illinois. I always thought it was a ACA alletor and my friend referring to it as a giant toilet.

[@friedmanirit]

Some of this info is incorrect. The 3 main wires going to the siren are not telephone wires, they are the 3 phase electrical wires that power the siren. The telephone line is the fourth wire, which is below the three wires that power the siren. These sirens used Western Electric KS-7340 relay sets. There was also a central timer. Most of these sirens would still work just fine if given power. There is no way for them to really catch on fire since they are all metal. The rust does not affect its performance unless it is rusted through and foreign material gets into some of the components. The 500Ts are actually called 500-SH-TTs. Los Angeles never had the 1940s Chrysler-Bell Victory Sirens installed, they only had the later Chrysler Air Raid Sirens installed. Currently three remain, one had its engine removed. The B&N Mobil Directos were installed in Culver City, there was a total of 6 installed, with 2 remaining. The sirens installed on poles throughout the city were not fire truck sirens, they were industrial sirens. (Model D) The 2T22s are still standing. There is also a 3T22. The thunderbolts installed in Los Angeles were dual tone, 1000AT.

[@imaginox9]

The power cables are that thin ? I've actually never seen 3 phase siren power cables. I've already seen the single phase ones which are thicker if I'm not mistaken. And I've heard stories of siren motors burning if powered on after decades of rusting. As for the Chrysler sirens, I've always heard that LA got the 1940's variant. For the 500T's being actually 500 SH-TT's yes indeed, I only found out way after writing the comment which dates from a few months back. There are two variants of it: 9/10 and 10/12 ports. LA had the 9/10 ports variant. As for the Mobil Directo's, didn't know there used to be 6 but I found the 2 remaining on Google Street View since then. Didn't know FS Model D's were industrial sirens though, thanks for correcting me, I always assumed, due to their small size, that they were fire truck sirens. And thanks for telling me LA's Tbolts are 1000T, didn't know.

[@DayTrippingAdventurer]

I think the electrical line issue is a little from column A and a little from column B. Some of the sirens do indeed have the 3 phase lines on them. But they are not connected. Each line of the 3 phase is thicker than the individual line I'm seeing running from the pole to the SIren (I believe they're at least 2 or 1 guage wires for each phase) As for the rust and fire. Again, although Los Angeles weather makes for a great preservative, (low moisture, not ice, low salinity in the air) there is a lot of dust and rust does happen over time so I think in the very least some of them would be seized and would smoke from friction. Not to mention a poor bird nest or two. So, probably would be a good idea to inspect before firing up. But it would be interesting to hear a couple go off. Would freak a lot of people out. Over all, thank you guys so much for this information, what started as a way an excuse to go on a very long walk has turned into a something way bigger and I'm really enjoying learning all this information about the sirens that seem to be all around us. Keep the info coming and I'll keep making videos!(Especially so if you suggest the content you'd like to see)

[@friedmanirit]

​@@DayTrippingAdventurer The wire that is usually still connected is the telephone wire. The three cut wires are the 3 phase electrical wires. Also every LA siren that was taken down and given power powered up perfectly. Send me an email: [e-mail] I have tons of info on the system and plenty of evidence as well. I live in LA and even own some air raid sirens.

[@friedmanirit]

@@imaginox9 They aren't that thin once you see them up close. As for the motors burning up there is no truth to that whatsoever. I've powered up privately owned LA air raid sirens with no problem. Send me an email I have lots of more info and corrections to tell you. My email is [e-mail]

[@friedmanirit]

@@DayTrippingAdventurer These sirens are more durable than you'd think. You can toss them in a junkyard, leave them sitting for years, give them power and chances are they will power up just fine. The internal components are protected by the housing. The rotor is cast aluminum so it doesn't rust, the stator is painted cast iron and can rust over time but it's no big deal. I have videos of me running them, as well as lots more information with evidence to back it up. If you'd like you can email me. I'd be happy to tell you all about the system as well as show you my collection.

[@seanjuth]

As a tidbit. I know that there is the Chrysler siren at the Cerro negro lookout still standing.

[@natestrains1166]

It was removed. A bunch of radio equipment stands in its place.

[@nicosmith4503]

Some federal SD 10 signs are used for fire calls

[@nicosmith4503]

Hey day tripping adventure I heard the federal signal 500 on my iPad I looked up the Los Angeles Air raid

[@MichaelDanielHikerLionKing]

cool

[@imaginox9]

I'm totally fine with you reading the comment, knowledge is made to be spread 😉 ! I made some researches using the wirechief map and a Google My Maps map + Street View about the more rare sirens and here is what I found: the 2T22 is on the roof of the Brentwood Theatre on Bonsall Av. It is very easy to spot, it's on the left side of the building when facing it. Oh and yes the 2T22 is exactly what you showed on the pic so you already know what to look out for. I found two B&N Mobil Directos, both in Culver City: one in the middle of Warner Drive, and another one on top of the building at the Veterans Memorial Park, although its top piece is missing. And most Thunderbolts are in West Covina. I also found a Chrysler in Compton (easy to spot, it's on top of a big tower behind a fenced area) and another one somewhere else on a roof but much harder to spot. The Street Views were the newest, from late 2019. Also I found out that just west of Knott's Berry Farm, there was a Thunderbolt siren beside a fire station, but the fire station has been destroyed with the siren in 2018 and they built a new fire station just beside where the old one was. I'll tell you here if I find some info on the only gas-powered Thunderbolt 2000 remaining or on what model the Flattened Birdhouse siren is, or something else related to these sirens.

[@friedmanirit]

The siren on top of the Brentwood Theater is a 3T22. The Thunderbolt that was at the fire station by Knotts Berry Farm survived the fire. It was taken down about a year ago. The blower was scrapped and the head will be put up on display. The flattened bird house siren is a Fedelcode Type 3L.

[@imaginox9]

Really ? Well that means that the solenoid boxes can't be seen from the front of the building since I can't see them on either Street View and some pics of the building. Also it's nice to know the Tbolt by Knott's berry Farm has been preserved. I just assumed it was destroyed with the fire station since I couldn't see it on any post-2018 Street View. As for the "flattened birdhouse" sirens, I've seen two sirens that looks very, very similar: FS Model 3 in Pierceton, IN (filmed by WarningSirensOfMichiana): kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4HQd2SgeZWXkNk HOR Siro-Drone in New Palestine, IN (filmed by DSRX100): kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJe9XmCQip58m7M Also if Day Tripping reads this: Fedelcode is basically various Federal Signal "birdhouse" siren models made for fire stations to call volunteer firefighters. They have a damper in "the roof of the birdhouse" that opens and closes the air intake, silencing or not the siren without stopping its motor and sounding a coded pulsed signal to signal where the fire is, to directly dispatch firefighters, hence the name Fedelcode. Here is a Fedelcode Model 5 sounding with its damper opening and closing (filmed by fire48pw): kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGjXkHmHp7qUppI

[@DayTrippingAdventurer]

Looks like the Flattened Birdhouse is indeed a Model 3 according to this. (Which I'm sure others have mentioned.) Also in that model 3 video we can see the use of two lines. The thick pipe covered line going from the box into the side of the siren and the thin wire just beneath it. And interesting info for the FedelCode.

[@imaginox9]

Yes it's probably the Model 3. Another thing that can verify that these flattened birdhouse sirens are Model 3 is their manufacturing dates. I've read on a site about historic places in LA that these were made in the early 40's. And the Model 3 in the video I linked above is the early Model 3 design from that era (Model 3's became slightly taller and higher pitched afterwards). And I'd say they're most likely Federal Signal than Fedelcode since their original purpose wasn't calling firefighters but warning of air raids. Also we spoke, me and Edaan, about 2T22 and 3T22, if you want to know the difference between the two it's very simple: they're the same siren (same design, same sound) except for one thing: the 3T22 has little boxes on its centre with solenoids in it, attached to little gates that can open and close both air intakes (the higher pitch and the lower pitch) in an alternating pattern, creating a third "Hi-Lo" signal that sounds kinda like a French or German police car.

[@friedmanirit]

@@imaginox9 I've seen the tag on them. They are Fedelcode Model 3Ls. Low tone 8 port.

[@oliveoil22]

There are a couple of XT22s (X means whicever model it is: 3T22 or 2T22.) left. You might need to drive a bit to see them: 1. 2800 S Soto St, Vernon. 2. 226 Eisenhower Ave, L.A. 3. 3375 Fruitland Ave, Vernon. 4.15121 Stearman Dr, Chino

[@DayTrippingAdventurer]

This is some great information! And with that map..... looks like I have a lot of walking to do.

[@oliveoil22]

@@DayTrippingAdventurer Yeah that's right. if you look at the top right corner of the map page you can click a triangle right below the three horizontal lines to see the map legend so you know what's what.

[@DayTrippingAdventurer]

If you'd like to update it, these have been removed; -Beverly & Normandy Pl. - Jefferson Blvd & Hoover (USC) - Sunset & VanNess (Near the School, you never had it at all so prob no worries) - 1st & Olive (Downtown LA across from Disney Hall. They tore down the parking structure there and the siren along with it. But, you can still see it on my Air Raid Walk 1 video, by the time I get to the Update it's gone)

[@seanjuth]

First of all, these sirens predate DTMF. Those wires are three phase power lines. They used telephone lines, but instead of DTMF, you would turn a rotary dial twice and it would produce a ringing signal that would trip the sirens

[@DayTrippingAdventurer]

Looking at the wires going into the sirens I see the weather head where you would expect the 3-phase electrical wires to run out of and they are either empty or the wires are cut. Instead there is that thin wire running to it that, to me, looks like 10 gauge or thinner. Would they run 3-phase through a line that thin? Is the amperage needed low enough to do so? Answers are always helpful since I continuing to learn what exactly it is I'm looking at.

[@seanjuth]

@@DayTrippingAdventurer yes it is. It only needs less than 38 amps to run the siren. 240 volts is divided among those three wires, so the thick stuff is not necessary.

[@seanjuth]

@@DayTrippingAdventurer go to 2:45 in this video to see how the sirens would actually be triggered kzbin.info/www/bejne/bX3amIGhopWhaJo

[@seanjuth]

@@DayTrippingAdventurer hey I’ve got more detailed information for you. Firstly the telephone lines were actually connected to the bell system. The actual bell system main office switching equipment was the thing that was responsible for creating the distinctive warning siren tones. For example the all clear signal is a continuous note therefore the telephone line ring in a continuous pattern. And obviously for the attack signal, it would ring for 10 seconds, stop for 5, then start over and over and over again. In order for the system to start creating these towns the person of the consul in the city police department or the civil defense headquarters, Would dial a code twice for security purposes, The Bell system switching equipment would decode this into an individual signal.

[@DayTrippingAdventurer]

@@seanjuth That is great information. I didn't know about the phone line actually making a tone. Thank you!

[@Rollerroadster]

7:00

[@sirensofgahannaOhio]

nice