Q's On Everything But Fire Apparatus

[Guest]

Q's go on fire trucks not ambulances. what is the world coming to. Pretty soon some PD will be putting one on a patrol car.

[xfirefighter484x 234]

Q's go on fire trucks not ambulances.  what is the world coming to.  Pretty soon some PD will be putting one on a patrol car.

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You mean like the old style "Q" type mechanical sires that policevehicles had from the circa 1920s til 1950s?

[Guest]

they still make the Q's for ambulance and police cars. the same style as the old school ones. i wouldn't be surprised if it was the law to have Q's. yes, they're much louder than electronic sirens and in rural areas they echo like crazy. but the potency and effectiveness is unmatched.

[IzzyEng4 427]

The "Q" style sirens were the only sirens out until the birth of the electronic siren by Federal.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Anyone know why they are actually tend to be more effective then the electronic?

Also, they are only louder then some electronic sirens in DB's. And sometimes in only certain applications.

[Guest]

hey i didn't know i started a topic, how did this happen. am i on this site now in my sleep as well?

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Damn you're good brother....in your sleep?, lol.

[Guest]

i really dont think i started this topic but who knows maybe i did. i need help, it apears as if i am an emtbravo junky. some one needs to help with my addiction.

[xfirefighter484x 234]

i really dont think i started this topic but who knows maybe i did.  i need help, it apears as if i am an emtbravo junky.  some one needs to help with my addiction.

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What PROBABLY happened was an admin came in, saw that the thread about WMCs new truck was going somewhere else, and rather than have us hijack that thread, moved these to a NEW thread!

Anyone know why they are actually tend to be more effective then the electronic?

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Also, ALS, when searching for pics to post with cop cars with "Q" type sirens, I came upon this!

www.timberwolfsirens.com

Why the controversy between mechanical and electronic sirens?

Is it just the modern vs. the old fashioned diehard? Well, it is true electronic sirens made their entrance to the emergency warning business in the 1960’s coinciding with the industry wide increase in electrical demand brought on by more lights, radios, computers, and new EMS equipment. Typical mechanical sirens of the era drew 200 to 300 amps compared to only 12 to 17 amps for the new electronic style. Switching sirens was an easy trade off, many cars were not air conditioned and sound insulation was only minimal. Electronic tones from alarms, buzzers, games, and computers were not common. Thus the new sirens enjoyed an acceptance for a season. However, today it’s a different story.

TimberwolfSirens.com

How mechanical sirens work

A mechanical siren produces a spiraling square wave, thus offering a very strong and focused pattern.

How electronic sirens work

Electronic sirens are notorious for having dead spots and creating noise pollution without direct sound penetration making them less effective.

Why is it said that mechanical sirens are more effective?

One must look at the physics of the air movement! Electronic Sirens translate a transistor generated signal to an electro magnetic driver which pulses a 3/4 inch diameter diaphragm back and forth rigorously 1/32 inch to move the air in a sine wave form, creating the familiar Whoo Whoo sound projected from the speaker horn.

The electronic siren works like an ice cream truck speaker, creating sine waves like ripples on the lake which go and go and go in all directions. Mechanical Sirens pump air, compressing and accelerating it to more than 130,000 inches per minute (or 124 miles per hour) where a rotor pulses it, off on, off on in a square wave form which spirals at 9,000 revolutions per minute as it expands from the 2 3/4 inch diameter guiding throat. The Mechanical Siren’s spiraling wave is like an ocean’s wave curl projected from a short guiding throat, on off on off, making the Whoo sound. The operator controls the volume and the pattern with the foot switch.

[IzzyEng4 427]

xfirefighter484x I have to say "Thank you Dr. Science!!" for the info. I would never have though to look for it. Its pretty interesting how sound waves travel.

[JetPhoto 626]

I remember that video played during one of my earlier EV Ops classes with the old chiefs vehicle I think in California showing how the sound traveled differently from the 2 different sirens. What a classic I think it was made in the early 80's. I still believe there is only one solution to the question on whats better...

Use both!

[xfirefighter484x 234]

xfirefighter484x I have to say "Thank you Dr. Science!!" for the info.  I would never have though to look for it. Its pretty interesting how sound waves travel.

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HAHA

I try to make sure I have as many of the facts before I post anything. The last thing I WANT to do is look like a retard in front of all you guys!!