8 RPM Thunderbolt 1003 hi-lo/fire signal - Aitkin, MN
Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 5:44 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwEC4dZT7GA
Here's a recording of the (rather low) Thunderbolt 1003 on top of the Aitkin, Minnesota town hall doing the hi-lo signal for the monthly 1:00 test. As with most 1003's, it has a stuck solenoid. A fun story behind this, I got my camera set up at around 12:55. I waited and waited until about 1:20 when I decided it probably wasn't going to go and so I start packing up. The literal moment I finish packing up, it winds up. I immediately get my stuff set up, all while trying to contain my excitement when I realized it was doing the Hi-lo signal. Unfortunately, while setting up, I didn't get the chance to get my earplugs back in and when the horn pointed in my direction, I got to experience the mighty power of a Thunderbolt from about 75 feet away with no protection whatsoever. Needless to say, I had a nice headache for the rest of the day. So that's the story of the missing wind up. Also, anyone know why it sounds a little high pitched? It was still very loud, but more in an earsplitting way than in a ground-shaking way like I was expecting. Either way, hearing my first Thunderbolt up close and in hi-lo signal at that was quite a fun experience.