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ATI HPSS: Difference between revisions

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* [[Ketchikan, Alaska]] maintains a system of 3 ATI HPSS32 units which are tested audibly on the 15th of the month at noon. These sirens are used to warn for tsunamis or in the event of a dam failure.<ref>https://www.krbd.org/2015/08/26/third-siren-added-to-citys-hazard-warning-system/</ref><ref>https://sites.google.com/site/greaterketchikanarealepc/all-hazard-siren-information</ref>
* [[Ketchikan, Alaska]] maintains a system of 3 ATI HPSS32 units which are tested audibly on the 15th of the month at noon. These sirens are used to warn for tsunamis or in the event of a dam failure.<ref>https://www.krbd.org/2015/08/26/third-siren-added-to-citys-hazard-warning-system/</ref><ref>https://sites.google.com/site/greaterketchikanarealepc/all-hazard-siren-information</ref>
* [[Hudson County, New Jersey]] has an unknown number of HPSS sirens. They are supposedly used for nuclear emergencies.<ref>https://newjersey.news12.com/story/34885755/emergency-siren-tests-startle-residents</ref>
* [[Hudson County, New Jersey]] has an unknown number of HPSS sirens. They are supposedly used for nuclear emergencies.<ref>https://newjersey.news12.com/story/34885755/emergency-siren-tests-startle-residents</ref>
==Problems and criticism==
Many deployed HPSS systems, with the exception of the most recent models (and the HPSS systems used in [[San Francisco, California]]), used a 1000&nbsp;Hz [[Sine wave|Sine]] wave tone, which some allege is not sufficiently distinct against very noisy backgrounds, or over acceptable distances. More recent HPSS units use a lower-pitched 575&nbsp;Hz tone which has given adequate results.
In San Francisco, many of their HPSS units have the tones of a Federal Signal STL-10 siren, which was one of the sirens used by San Francisco until the whole siren system was replaced with HPSS systems. While this added voice capability to San Francisco's warning network, it has also caused some reliability problems as the comparatively deep-pitched growl of these tones can damage the speakers when playing at high volume. However, this may not necessarily be the fault of the speakers used, as few electronic speakers can tolerate playing such low-pitched, bass-rich sounds at high volume levels for extended periods of time.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 17:12, 2 August 2021

Template:Multiple issues The ATI Soundblaster HPSS (high-power speaker station) is an electronic outdoor warning system manufactured by Acoustic Technology, Inc (ATI) that is used to alert the surrounding populace of tornadoes, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, fires and so on. The recent HPSS systems use high-powered electronic speakers, which can be independently arranged to provide directional or omnidirectional coverage, depending on installation. The HPSS16 provides up to 1600 watts of continuous power to drive up to four 400-watt speaker units, whereas the larger 3200-watt HPSS32 can drive up to eight 400-watt speakers. Like other electronic outdoor warning systems (such as Federal Signal's Modulator, for example), they can also be used as public announcement (PA) systems, and can play a number of programmed tones. Options include solar-powered operation and pre-recorded voice messages. Sometimes these high-powered speakers play the Westminster Chime.

Areas known to use HPSS systems

References