Air raid sirens
Air raid sirens in the 1980s. Not the new fancy electronic ones, but the proper WW2-style type. The tested them every wednesday at noon, when i was at school, to let you know that the soviet missiles still were aimed at you. It sounded like the howl of a giant wounded metal animal straight from a Terry Gilliam movie. It always gave me a good scare for a few seconds until realisation that it was only the weekly test. And they look a bit scary too, with their rusten metal helmets.
(Robotnik, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 9:22, 11 replies)

Mental
Reminds me of when I used to stay at my cousins' house in the school holidays who lived in Surrey.

Every Monday at about 10am there was a siren being tested that I could always just faintly hear.
Trouble was, the siren was coming from Broadmoor Mental Hospital which was rather worringly close by.
( Ultimate Cakes & Sweets Why,what are you planning to do - photosynthesize?, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 9:26, closed)

What version of the 1980s did you experience?
We never had any tests like that.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 9:29, closed)

Shure we had
But maybe not in your country. ;-)
(Robotnik, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 9:38, closed)

where was this?

( Ring Of Fire A petty, drooling belming butthurt retard., Thu 14 Apr 2011, 10:29, closed)

Denmark
(Robotnik, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 11:46, closed)

Rusty Helmet?
Sounds nasty. Is there a cream for that?
(moon monkey is busy making memories worth repressing, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 10:46, closed)

British Sea Power
Used to crank one at the end of one of their songs during a set. Was quality.
(SonoraAeroClub "OH SWEET HELEN OF BALLS!", Thu 14 Apr 2011, 10:48, closed)

Actually now i would like to have one in my garden. To keep the neighbouring cats out.
(Robotnik, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 11:48, closed)

Those hand crank ones are great
but you have to let them finish their cycle, if you try and cut them dead by stopping the handle going round, you fuck the gear teeth.
(Rsoles, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 12:35, closed)

It comes in at the climax of Atom
It's a rather neat way of finishing the set - probably one of the reasons I see them whenever I get the chance. Fucking loud in a basement club though...
( wheresthefish Partly filled with wrong, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 12:38, closed)

Living in Germany as a child as dad was in the army, the army base would sound that siren as well. Not sure why.
(loopy1978, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 12:37, closed)