SiraTone

{{Infobox product | title = SiraTone Electronic Outdoor Warning Siren | image = EOWS*612 in Battle Creek, Michigan.jpg | caption = A SiraTone model EOWS*612 located in Battle Creek, Michigan. | type = Outdoor warning siren | inventor = Joel G. Lacono, Ronald J. Koval | manufacturer = Federal Signal Corporation | available = 1981–2007 | models = EOWS* M12, 115, Prototype 1212, 408, 612, 812, 1212 | company = Federal Signal Corporation }}

'''SiraTone''' is a defunct variety of electronic outdoor warning sirens produced by Federal Signal Corporation beginning in the early 1980s. These sirens were designed to broadcast high-intensity warning signals over large areas for public safety applications. SiraTone systems were used for natural disaster notification, HAZMAT incident alerts, fire call systems, and other emergency warning purposes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Federal Signal SiraTone |url=https://wiki.airraidsirens.net/Federal_Signal_SiraTone |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=Air Raid Sirens Wiki |language=en}}</ref>

The SiraTone product line is no longer in production. It was succeeded by the Modulator series and Directional Speaker Array (DSA) electronic outdoor warning systems.<ref>{{cite web|title=Warning and Mass Notification Outdoor Sirens and Speakers|url=https://www.fedsig.com/outdoor-sirens-and-speakers|website=Federal Signal|accessdate=30 August 2016}}</ref>

==Products==

Six primary models of outdoor warning sirens were produced under the SiraTone brand. Model numbers are designated by the prefix EOWS ('''E'''lectronic '''O'''utdoor '''W'''arning '''S'''iren), followed by an asterisk and a number representing the siren's power output or speaker configuration. All models utilize re-entrant speaker horns, arrays of 100-watt speaker drivers, and electronic tone generation.

* '''EOWS*115''' – The first SiraTone model produced; a 1200-watt omnidirectional siren equipped with 12 vertical Atlas Sound CJ-44 speaker horns. * '''EOWS*1212''' – A 1200-watt omnidirectional siren and updated version of the EOWS*115, using 12 circular University Sound DR-42 speaker horns. * '''Prototype EOWS 1212''' – A prototype version of the 1212 with minor design differences, utilizing 12 Atlas CJ-44 speaker horns. * '''EOWS*408''' – An 800-watt rotating siren with 4 circular University Sound DR-42 speaker horns. * '''EOWS*612''' – A 1200-watt rotating siren with 6 circular University Sound DR-42 speaker horns; the most widely produced model in the SiraTone series. * '''EOWS*812''' – A 1200-watt rotating siren with 8 circular University Sound DR-42 speaker horns; later discontinued and effectively replaced by the EOWS*612.

A mobile, vehicle-mounted variant known as the '''EOWS*M12''' was also proposed, though it is believed that few or none were manufactured.

thumb|right|300px|An advertisement for the SiraTone EOWS*408 and 812 sirens.

==Signals==

SiraTone sirens are capable of producing multiple warning tones:

* '''Alert''' – A steady siren tone.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=bCdilCSrjCbXIonY&t=16&v=_OMtUcd5Do8&feature=youtu.be |title=FS EOWS 612 Tornado Siren Test - Alert - Battle Creek, MI |date=2022-04-09 |last=TheSirenGeek |access-date=2024-10-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref> * '''Wail''' – A rising and falling siren tone.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=1sS1Lm5mPepFA1Y5&t=5&v=JtNZIFaWX6k&feature=youtu.be |title=Federal Signal EOWS 612 {{!}} Attack/Wail {{!}} Forest Hills, PA |date=2023-12-08 |last=DSRX100 |access-date=2024-10-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref> * '''Alternating steady''' – A tone alternating between high and low frequencies at half-second intervals, similar to European emergency vehicle sirens.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=hk0f4NcmfVxfAl9E&t=15&v=urqzBvODw4U&feature=youtu.be |title=Federal Signal EOWS-612 Siren Test - Full Hi-Lo - Aberdeen, South Dakota |date=2024-03-07 |last=mn_sirens |access-date=2024-10-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref> * '''Alternating wail''' – A wail tone alternating between high and low frequencies.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=asA-_plNjZzYvlZk&t=10&v=sYshth6P0Lc&feature=youtu.be |title=EOWS 612 {{!}} Alternate Wail {{!}} 7/18/20 |date=2020-07-18 |last=Sirens Of The Southwest |access-date=2024-10-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref> * '''Pulsed wail''' – A pulsating wail tone at half-second intervals.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=8DzSUa1KENZH9L4D&t=6&v=L3vYmXIvduk&feature=youtu.be |title=EOWS 612 Pulsed Wail |date=2013-06-13 |last=TboltTX1 |access-date=2024-10-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref> * '''Pulsed steady''' – A pulsating steady tone at half-second intervals. * '''Whoop''' – A repeating rising tone that cycles continuously.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=zXb1l6yuaPQDUa1j&t=31&v=Pu7sWCXGlvg&feature=youtu.be |title=6/7/05 - Illinois Statewide Monthly Siren Test - Barrington EOWS 612 (Whoop) |date=2009-07-16 |last=gilramirez12 |access-date=2024-10-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref> * '''Auxiliary tone''' – A customizable tone selectable by the operator.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxNyc_G2qMXWC4gp6GUJ3COd7uFmNudxPZ?si=V7LHui_V74WEY2ay |title=Pulsed Steady, WIKIPEDIA LINK |language=en |access-date=2024-10-20 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> * '''Westminster chimes''' – A non-emergency chime tone used for testing.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=sXWesKO2VGRPfmkB&t=26&v=iHczlVIcLoE&feature=youtu.be |title=FS EOWS*612 - SiraTone Westminster Chimes - Forest Hills, PA |date=2024-10-20 |last=Central Ohio Sirens |access-date=2024-10-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref> *'''Yeow''' - A Rising tone that descends in pitch that repeats continuously. A distinctive feature of the SiraTone series was its ability to perform routine tests using a Westminster chime melody instead of traditional alarm tones. This allowed municipalities to verify system functionality without causing public alarm. Additional tones could be programmed upon request.<ref>[http://www.davidsonhosted.com/sireninfo/sirenmanuals/Federal%20Signal%20Manuals/EOWS%20-%20SiraTone%20Installation%20%26%20Operation%20Manual.pdf]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914070924/http://www.davidsonhosted.com/sireninfo/sirenmanuals/Federal%20Signal%20Manuals/EOWS%20-%20SiraTone%20Installation%20%26%20Operation%20Manual.pdf |date=2021-09-14}}</ref>

==Gallery== <gallery widths="100" heights="100" perrow="6"> File:EOWS 612 Siren.JPG|Model EOWS*612 in Irving, Texas. It has since been replaced with a 508. File:EOWS612.jpg|Model EOWS*612 in civil defense yellow livery. *Replaced* File:EOWS 612.jpg|Model EOWS*612 near a train station; later removed and reportedly preserved by an enthusiast as of July 2025. </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|EOWS}} {{Sound-tech-stub}}

Category:Sound production Category:Sirens (alarms)