Civil Defense sirens - Blu-ray Forum

Crimson King · 03-21-2010, 03:03 AM

I know this is strange thread, but when I was a kid back in the mid 80's, I really remember these things vividly. I live in Northern Va and they would do a test every first Wed of each month at 11:00 am. I remember two different types of sirens, one called the "Thunderbolt" and another one called an "ACA Allertor" (man that was one freaky looking, not to mention sounding siren with its two speaker design!) In the early 90's thay took all the sirens down. I heard there are still some functioning Thunderbolts and Allertors around, just not sure where.

Steve · 03-21-2010, 03:05 AM

I've seen them in old movies, but I've never seen one in person.

Crimson King · 03-21-2010, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

I've seen them in old movies, but I've never seen one in person.

They were quite loud, I remember being outside playing softball and an Allertor that was in the school yard started to wail, we had to stop the game for minute or so, it was so darn loud! my ears were ringing for hours!

The Allerter sounds quite scarry/eerie when first start up!

Groo The Perverted · 03-21-2010, 03:55 AM

http://www.civildefensemuseum.com/sirens/sirenpx4.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_defense_siren

OrlandoEastwood · 03-22-2010, 02:22 AM

They have sirens that go off at the beginning of the month in Hawaii. If that's what you are talking about.

Crimson King · 03-22-2010, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrlandoEastwood

They have sirens that go off at the beginning of the month in Hawaii. If that's what you are talking about.

Wow. I did'nt even know they did the tests anymore. They took ALL the classic CD sirens down in my area!

Found this great video of an ACA Allertor 125 doubling as a snowblower!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoFTdPYtRYc

repete66211 · 03-22-2010, 02:02 PM

We have monthly tests here in Kansas. While the sirens could be for civil defense, the only time they are activated is during a tornado warning.

fatediesel · 03-22-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by repete66211

We have monthly tests here in Kansas. While the sirens could be for civil defense, the only time they are activated is during a tornado warning.

We've got those sirens too that are used for tornadoes. They test them once a month during tornado season, usually from March-October. I think it's always on the 15th at 1:00 PM. At least once a year I hear them go off during tornado warnings at home too.

repete66211 · 03-22-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatediesel

We've got those sirens too that are used for tornadoes. They test them once a month during tornado season, usually from March-October. I think it's always on the 15th at 1:00 PM. At least once a year I hear them go off during tornado warnings at home too.

Yeah, it's really creepy when there's a storm brewing--the clouds are dark ans soupy, there's a green tint to everything and all you hear is the rumble of thunder and the drone of the tornado sirens.

Crimson King · 03-22-2010, 02:35 PM

I've seen "Thunderbolts" in the films "Cry-Baby", "Goldfinger" and "Forrest Gump". I've NEVER seen an "ACA Allertor 125" yet in a film.

P@t_Mtl · 03-22-2010, 04:26 PM

They were remove sometime in the late 70's or early 80's, there was one about 4 street down from my house. It was taken down at one point, just can't remember when. That is in Montreal anyway, not sure if it's the same in all Canadian cities. I do remember them being tested a few times when I was a kid. It was close to the school and we could really hear it

ely.cop.rock · 03-24-2010, 11:40 PM

Another cool thing to look up is old Nike Missile sites which were scattered throughout the country.

DetroitSportsFan · 03-25-2010, 12:16 AM

We just have the tornado sirens. They test them every Saturday, at 1pm I believe.

OrlandoEastwood · 03-25-2010, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyJack

Wow. I did'nt even know they did the tests anymore. They took ALL the classic CD sirens down in my area!

Found this great video of an ACA Allertor 125 doubling as a snowblower!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoFTdPYtRYc

Yeah, they do it incase of tsunamis or hurricanes. I am happy that supposed tsunami that was going to hit a few weeks back was nothing but a little wave. That was relief.

03-21-2010, 03:03 AM	#1
Crimson King Blu-ray Prince Member since:Oct 2009 Blu-ray reviews: 19 Trading Score:683	Civil Defense sirens I know this is strange thread, but when I was a kid back in the mid 80's, I really remember these things vividly. I live in Northern Va and they would do a test every first Wed of each month at 11:00 am. I remember two different types of sirens, one called the "Thunderbolt" and another one called an "ACA Allertor" (man that was one freaky looking, not to mention sounding siren with its two speaker design!) In the early 90's thay took all the sirens down. I heard there are still some functioning Thunderbolts and Allertors around, just not sure where.

03-22-2010, 02:02 PM	#7
repete66211 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Kansas City area Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:196 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:3	We have monthly tests here in Kansas. While the sirens could be for civil defense, the only time they are activated is during a tornado warning. Last edited by repete66211; 03-22-2010 at 02:09 PM.

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03-21-2010, 03:05 AM	#2
Steve Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Anna, TX 4K collection:128 Blu-ray collection:416 Trading Score:41	I've seen them in old movies, but I've never seen one in person.

03-21-2010, 03:55 AM	#4
Groo The Perverted Blu-ray Champion Member since:Aug 2008 Blu-ray collection:109 DVD collection:8 Trading Score:272	http://www.civildefensemuseum.com/sirens/sirenpx4.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_defense_siren

03-22-2010, 02:22 AM	#5
OrlandoEastwood Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:R-Point Blu-ray reviews:86 Trading Score:24	They have sirens that go off at the beginning of the month in Hawaii. If that's what you are talking about.

03-22-2010, 02:35 PM	#10
Crimson King Blu-ray Prince Member since:Oct 2009 Blu-ray reviews: 19 Trading Score:683	I've seen "Thunderbolts" in the films "Cry-Baby", "Goldfinger" and "Forrest Gump". I've NEVER seen an "ACA Allertor 125" yet in a film.

03-22-2010, 04:26 PM	#11
P@t_Mtl Blu-ray Duke Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Montreal Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:452 DVD collection:513 Trading Score:3	They were remove sometime in the late 70's or early 80's, there was one about 4 street down from my house. It was taken down at one point, just can't remember when. That is in Montreal anyway, not sure if it's the same in all Canadian cities. I do remember them being tested a few times when I was a kid. It was close to the school and we could really hear it

03-24-2010, 11:40 PM	#12
ely.cop.rock Active Member Member since:Jan 2010 Location:NW Ohio Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray collection:67 Trading Score:1	Another cool thing to look up is old Nike Missile sites which were scattered throughout the country.

03-25-2010, 12:16 AM	#13
DetroitSportsFan Hot Deals Moderator Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Michigan 4K collection:439 Blu-ray collection:2226 Trading Score:93	We just have the tornado sirens. They test them every Saturday, at 1pm I believe.

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