Federal Signal 500AT - Radio Failure (HD Test)

This was primarily just to test out my new HD 1080p camcorder, but I was hoping it would go off this time instead of crapping out yet again for the 3rd week in a row. So as you can tell, I still wasn't so lucky to catch it going off, but at least you get an idea for what the digital zoom is like on my new camera!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Federal
• Signal
• 500AT
• 500
• outdoor
• warning
• siren
• failed
• test
• loud
• noise
• air
• raid
• civil
• defense
• tornado
• severe
• weather
• storm
• outside
• alarm
• dual
• tone
• 10/12
• 10
• 12
• murrfarms

[mohkfry]

any idea what the radio would cost? I know it would be cheaper to replace the radio rather than the siren.

[murrfarms]

@mohkfry If bought new, probably around $1,250-1,500, depending on who sold it to them. A new Vortex R4 on the other hand, with programming and installation, is roughly $19,990.

[mohkfry]

Any idea why the siren wasn't activating?

[murrfarms]

@mohkfry It's something to do with the new activating radio they installed on it when they added all those new Whelen Vortexes to the system. They also reprogrammed the Federal Controllers on the two 2001s in Fort Valley to be compatible with the new encoder, but they had to replace the old Federal SiraTrol on the 500 with a Whelen MSC to become compatible too. That radio has been nothing but trouble since the day it was installed, and for a while only worked sporadically until it just died.

[mohkfry]

@murrfarms Are they planning to replace the siren or are they going to replace the controller/radio again? sorry if i am being a pest with all of these questions.

[murrfarms]

@mohkfry I really don't know what any immediate plans are for it, but I know they're wanting to get something working again before next storm season rolls around. I'm hoping that they're able to work it out with whoever originally installed that radio and get a new unit for it, so that this old beast can live again. I'd hate to see it come down for something as simple as that, when the siren itself functions perfectly (to my knowledge).

[murrfarms]

@mohkfry Oh yeah, I'll definitely be getting this one if it comes down. Good news is that the fire department (who actually owns it, county just controls it) knows I'm wanting it when it's decommissioned, and I've been in pretty regular contact with them. I'd rather not see it come down, but if it does I'm glad that it (hopefully) won't be scrapped and will be saved.

[mohkfry]

@murrfarms If it is to be replaced will are you going to try and get it? I would rather it be in someones collection than being scrapped. Gotta save the sirens while we can before the CD sirens are gone forever.

[murrfarms]

@mohkfry Yep, as of last week it's still perched there on the water tower, still pointing in the same direction. I half-expect to ride by someday soon and see a brand new Vortex standing on a pole nearby; we've all pretty much given up on this thing.

[mohkfry]

Is this siren still there? You should re-record it sometime.