Where can I purchase a tiny, lightweight, battery-powered Ahooga horn
that makes a sound like the horn of a Model-A Ford?  I find real horns
that go
under a car hood, but those are too big.  I want this one for a
folding walker (the orthodedic kind).

---

Request for Question Clarification by justaskscott-ga on 15 Dec 2002 14:06 PST

Bobthedispatcher might be psychic; he anticipated the first reply I
received to my post.  The writer suggested "an electronic version
based on an MP3 or even recording your own."  He also stated that "the
true ahooga 'sound' is a result of the size of the vibrating diaghram
and the bell shaped horn.  Something like a very early Bose Wave
system."

Of course, it's too early to give up on the possibility that someone
has designed a tiny Ahooga horn.  But in the event that no such horn
is found, would you be interested in an answer (perhaps incorporating
suggestions from subsequent replies) that indicates alternatives to an
actual horn?

---

Clarification of Question by rnevill-ga on 15 Dec 2002 16:56 PST

to:justaskscott-ga   I expect that an electronically generated sound
device would be needed. I had doubts that a tiny speaker could
reproduce the low pitches involved, but my PC speaker does a fair job.

to bobthedispatcher-ga: And yes, a small digital recorder might be a
possibility.  I was envisioning a device easily activated with just
the press of a button.  I don't have the electronics background to see
how to do that from a store bought digital recorder.  I guess it could
be like a "telephone announcement" type device using the sound as the
recorded "announcement".

---

Request for Question Clarification by justaskscott-ga on 19 Dec 2002 10:02 PST

Here is the idea that doesn't require a recorder and speaker: an
antique bicycle horn!  According to the information I've received,
there was a particular brand of bicycle horn that is best for making
the ahooga sound.  According to this source, who specializes in
vintage bicycles, the plunger for the horn pushes down fairly easily
as long as everything inside is adjusted correctly.  These horns are
avaialable online, not at any given moment, but usually at some point
during a given week.

Does this sound like a good solution?  If so, I can post all the
information I have on these horns as an answer.

---

Clarification of Question by rnevill-ga on 19 Dec 2002 15:19 PST

To: rutat-ga  Thanks Bob, that looks like a definite possibility!

To: justaskscott-ga       Yes, I'd like to see what you have as an
answer.  Please post.  I'll pay to charity and to justaskscott.

Many thanks,
Rick

Hello rnevill-ga,

Rutat-ga has found a modern version of the antique klaxon horn.  You
can hear what this horn sounds like at Klaxon's own web page on the ES
Manual "hooter".  If it has the sound you want, then your best bet
might be to contact Edwards Signaling.  (I thought it sounded shorter
and higher than an "ahooga", but you would probably know best.)

"Hooters"
Klaxon Signals Ltd
http://www.klaxonsignals.com/kproduct4.htm

Otherwise, you might want to investigate the older versions. 
According to the proprietor of Nostalgic.net ( http://nostalgic.net/
), the klaxon horns "that sounded the best were made by E.A.
Laboratories. In good shape they typically sell for around 75-100
dollars."

He also said that the "best bet for finding one is to watch ebay".  
He noted that "sellers on ebay often misspell it, or call it a
Klaxton, or Klangston, etc."

I have searched on eBay and found two klaxons that were sold recently.
 One was specifically identified as an "E.A. Klaxon style bicycle push
horn".  It sold for $85, providing some confirmation for the range of
$75-100.  I asked the seller whether he has anymore; unfortunately, he
doesn't, but he has "usually found a couple every week on Ebay."

"E.A. KLAXON style bicycle push horn", offered by ivrjhnsn@aol.com
(Dec-14-02)
eBay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2150189561

The maker of the other horn is not identified, but the horn looks
similar to the Klaxon ES Manual of today.  It was sold by the same
seller for $65.

"KLAXON style bugle face bicycle push horn", offered by
ivrjhnsn@aol.com (Dec-14-02)
eBay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2150188637

I recommend searching from the advanced search screen; you can search
for "klaxon" (or misspellings) in the title and description, in
whichever region you prefer, and see what turns up.

"Advanced Search"
eBay
http://pages.ebay.com/search/items/search_adv.html

If all else fails, you can post a message on Ahooga, a web site for
Model-A aficionados.

"Ahooga's Model-A Ford ~ Original Style ~ Message Board"
Ahooga
http://www.ahooga.com/wwwboard/n-index.shtml

aHOOga!

- justaskscott-ga


Search terms used on Google:

ahooga
klaxon

justaskscott-ga did a great job of tracking this one down.  He found
the right size and quality of item that I was looking for.  Well worth
the $10 I offered.  Thanks!

I have posted your question to a forum of Model-A enthusiasts (without
using your name, of course).  I'll let you know if and when I get a
response.

By the way, this question made my day.  An Ahooga horn on a walker --
that's brilliant!

what about recording the sound (from a real horn, or a .wav file here
on the web, to one of those little digital recorders they make for
note-taking?
(might need a small amplifier/speaker too)

I know it could be built from "scratch" for less than $10, but might
be available somewhere ready to use!

I've received another suggestion, which, if it works out (and that's a
big "if"), might avert the need for a recorder and speaker.  I'll let
you know what happens.

Here's what you need:

http://www.edwards-signals.com/documents/Catalog/c-ES.pdf  No
batteries needed.  They also have battery powered ones, but why
bother?

Available from: 

Edwards Signaling
90 Fieldstone Court
Cheshire, CT 06410-1212
Tel: (203) 699-3300
Fax: (203) 699-3108

Tom (give the ten bucks to charity, okay?)