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From: Chrysantha
Date: 11-28-2004, 11:02 PM (1 of 17)
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I have a problem and I need some help.... What are everyones 'local' ordinances regarding loud thumping car stereos ? (city, state, county..whichever ones are enforced where you live). I know in Portland OR, and in N.CA they take them away if they get caught so many times.... Since August I've been hearing a LOUD thumping stereo in my house.( no I'm not crazy and it's not ANYTHING BUT a loud thumping stereo) My neighbor across the street hears it in my house and the ones next door hear it in their house, but it doesn't seem to bother anyone like it bothers me...It hurts my ears (like I've been to a rock concert...ringing and all that..) it gives me a headache and it makes me nervous and upset...I don't want to live in my house...(but I can't move, we have to replace a LOT of stuff on the house due to hurricane Ivan (sept.) The sheriff's dept is NO help (we're county and don't get the police dept here, even though the next street over IS city and gets the cops). I tried a house soundproofer, who gave me the name of a stereo installer. ( I can't tell you what went on with that, some people on this site would be TERRIBLY offended and make a BIG deal over what I'd have to say.) Needless to say I need some help and don't know where to turn anymore. I bought a sound meter,hoping it would lead me to the stereo..no luck there either. It's too low to record on 'normal' equiptment. Has my husband heard it, sorta...he feels the thumping in the house when he's wearing head phones...but it doesn't bother him. The sound meter records decibles of 75-85 in my BED frame. (yes my whole house makes noise...the floors, the walls, windows all register on the meter from 68-85 decibles depending on how loud the stereo is.) The sheriff's theory is, if I can hear it in my home, then I can hear it by whoever's house it's playing in...hahahahahaha..most of the houses are brick down here...you can't hear ANYTHING in them if you stand outside them. Then theres the cars that drive up and down the street playing the same thumping noise...(it's NOT music) the fine, 'if' they're caught is a whole $68. and thats it.....it shakes the houses, rattles the windows, very few complain... The street they drive down is behind me, my developement is 'off' the through street, so I don't see the car's, just hear'em...so I'm mostly on my own in my fight to get them to stop. Any and all advice would be appreciated... Thanks.... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: MaryW
Date: 12-01-2004, 01:26 PM (2 of 17)
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Chrys, you have spoken about this problem before. From what I have gathered, I would say you have excellent hearing. This is bothering you because you hear it more clearly than anyone else. I guess earplugs are one option.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 12-01-2004, 04:41 PM (3 of 17)
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I have ear plugs, but they don't work if you hear/feel the thumping through the floor..besides which it's my home I shouldn't have to wear earplugs to live in it....I also use a white noise machine, but that doesn't work either. Since the noise is in my home, nothing works... If I could just get SOMEONE, ANYONE to help me....at least tell me whos playing the stereo. I'd press charges...there was a case in Jacksonville, FL about a thumping stereo...the judgement was $10,000 against the stereo player/person. I don't care about the money, I'd just want to live in my home, the way I WANT to live here....not at the whim of some s.o.b. who thinks it's Ok to make noise and disturb people...its NO ONES RIGHT to make that much noise that it can be heard 4 or more blocks away from where someone lives...thanks though... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: MaryW
Date: 12-01-2004, 05:26 PM (4 of 17)
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I understand what you are saying Chrys, and I can sympathize. I think I would move if I couldn't get some sort of relief by now.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 12-02-2004, 05:39 AM (5 of 17)
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Bear with me on this one, do you have a TV on in the house ANYWHERE when you hear the "music"? Do you have cable TV by any chance? What I am getting at is this, I have cable here in my home and for some stupid reason on some of the TV's when they were on, I would get a bleed-over of the music channels, ie MTV, VH1, BET,and a local radio station, but only when I was turned to a certain channel on that TV. It was just low enough in the background that you could hear it, and just loud enough to bug you. The cable company had to come out a put a filter on my line. Are you able to get out in a car and drive? If so, try to pin-point the direction that it seems to be coming from before driving around the neighborhood to see if you hear it from any of the homes in the area. If you're out you just might be able to "hear" if it's car that it's coming from and jot down the license # and discription of the car and driver. Is it louder at certain times of the day? Say when Teenage drivers could be getting out of school? Do you have a high school near you? Are you in a residential area or a mix of residential and commerical area? Ic could be from a local business. Do you live in a house or apt building? Have you had any dental work done? Don't think I'm crazy for asking this, some people have been know hear music after going to the dentist, something to do with the compounds they use for filings, I know that it sounds far fetched BUT it does happen. The Discovery Health channel had a show about it! I hope that helps you with some ideas of where to check. I just read you first post again, I may be off course, not sure, but I hope that I gave you "some" ideas to go with. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: MaryW
Date: 12-02-2004, 08:28 AM (6 of 17)
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That is a very real possibility. I know we used to hear truckers on their CB's coming thru our television years ago. It was so weird.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: DragonLady
Date: 12-02-2004, 08:40 AM (7 of 17)
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Do you have pipes or a well under your house? Pipes can carry noise and vibrations for miles. A well can carry them from deep underground & multiply the sound many times.
"No more twist! No more twist!"
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User: DragonLady
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 152 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 12-02-2004, 11:52 AM (8 of 17)
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Nothing is on in my house when the thumping is going on. I've had the eletricity checked, the plumbing checked. My sound meter records sounds in the WALLS and FLOORS (I'm on a concrete slab in a brick ranch) I've driven around, walked around, went to the neighbors, asked, called, used my sound meter...so far I can't find it. Neither can the sheriff's dept. (I think they really don't care, so they don't try) My neighbors hear it in their house, they hear it in mine..it doesn't bother anyone like it bothers me, I guess cause I hear it more and it causes me pain. I also don't have children that make noise, NOTHING in my house is making that noise...I hear it in my car, sitting in my driveway and I can hear it outside, at night when it's quiet. It's not me, my house, the business 1/2 mile down the street, it's not the freeway, it's not the roofers down the street.... It's a thumping stereo, just like those that drive down the street making all kinds of racket, except this one is in someones home or garage. I'm not insane (although I might be soon...) I don't have migraines..I don't normally 'hear' things, just because...I've lived in this house for 9 yrs, original owner, this has been happening since August (04), before that nothing was heard except the usual street noise, children, etc... Thanks though....::heavy sigh:: Today I have my states rep, my city council, the local code enforcement officer, etc all on my case...so MAYBE I can get some help finally.... If I could afford to move, I would, but we still have $10,000 worth of hurricane damage to fix..and everyone here is in the same 'fix-it' boat. Besides which....I don't think I should have to give in to some a**, just because..... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 12-02-2004, 12:41 PM (9 of 17)
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To bad you don't have the room for the Sew-What's-New Ivestigators to stay in, you have really got me interested in this one, we would all be there with our trusty shears to cut the persons cords, ONCE WE FIND THEM!!!! Have you tried to tape record the sounds in your house to see if it is able to be picked up on a recorder? If it does then you would have something to show all the "pooh-poohers" to prove that you are not nuts and that the sounds are real. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 12-02-2004, 03:40 PM (10 of 17)
I have tried a recorder....I'm told the sound is too low for the recorder to pick it up. (even with the best mic I could buy it didn't work). You need studio type equiptment and I don't have the money to buy that, besides what would I do with it afterwards ???  If my walls make noise, the windows rattle, the ceiling lights and fans RING, SOMETHING has to be making the sound....and I KNOW it's NOT me or my neighbors.... The county code enforcement officer is comming out here tomorrow and I have calls in to other agencies and the local t.v. station....I'm gonna get'em one way or another...and trust me I'll let you all know how it comes out... 
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: DorothyL
Date: 12-02-2004, 08:46 PM (11 of 17)
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Chrys -- You could try looking into property transfers in June, July and August of 04. If the person just moved into the neighborhood then you might be able to track them that way. Just a thought. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Tech
Date: 12-02-2004, 08:49 PM (12 of 17)
| I have the Brother PE 150 and the upper thread keeps getting bunched up in the bobbin. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I use Coats & Clark polyester thread. Is that the right thread to use? It will work for alittle while then it either bunches the thread or breaks a needle. I hope someone can help me figure out what I'm doing wrong. Thanks |
User: Tech
Member since: 12-30-2003 Total posts: 6 |
From: Dexter
Date: 12-05-2004, 04:49 PM (13 of 17)
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I know in Portland OR, and in N.CA they take them away if they get caught so many times.... I live about an hour away from Portland and I think that rule still applies. **Commence sudden reverberation of 15", 2600-watt woofer with ribbed cone insert, 200oz Magnet, Neon Rings, Enclosure System, and the nifty illumination of a incandescent light bulb that can be seen gleaming miles away in the obscurity of the night** k, so maybe I don’t have a ridiculous, attention-grabbing chrysochlorous light, but I do find great pleasure in listening to the euphonious sounds of Østenfor Sol Og Vestenfor Maane and Søfu Ør Paa Allfers Lund from my classical Ulver album in such an unpretentious, thunderous fashion, which many elders find discourteous, dreadfully bothersome, and cacophonous. However, out of respect and my own personal habits, I turn my music off whenever driving through towns or neighborhoods, unless I have a friend with me in which case I’ll listen to something soothingly while conversing about various aspects of our existence. Usually, the only time I’ll listen to my music in my own personal fashion is when I’m alone, driving through the midst of an enchanted forest or scoring the seashore. Places where humans don’t provoke at night, where birds sing along and wolves howl in splendor. It’s miraculous. |
User: Dexter
Member since: 11-05-2004 Total posts: 48 |
From: allie-oops
Date: 12-05-2004, 05:29 PM (14 of 17)
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Chrysantha, I've had this very same problem. You can walk around the neighborhood all you want, drive around, whatever....you can't pinpoint it. We came to the conclusion that it was in someone's basement. And I honestly thought I was going to lose my mind. Believe me or not, but I spent many a night in prayer, and it has stopped. We still get the odd car stereo now and again, but the nightly concert is gone. I will be praying for you too, I know how this can make you nuts! I had the a/c [window unit] on, the tv, didn't matter. It's something you FEEL more than HEAR. It would travel through the walls, floorboards, my bed, and then to my pillow where my head was pounding away in harmony, lol. Just think, someday your taxes will pay for this person's hearing aids! "onward through the fog"
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User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282 
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From: sewingrandma
Date: 12-05-2004, 05:40 PM (15 of 17)
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It sort of reminds me of when the state was putting in a new bridge a short distance from our house. The way they pounded the pilings into the river bed caused a steady thump that you felt more than heard. It was a very long summer that year.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: Dexter
Date: 12-05-2004, 05:44 PM (16 of 17)
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Walls of solid concrete are important when your neighbor has to watch late night game shows at full volume. Bass is usually felt more than heard, and it is known to give terrible headaches. It should be simple to locate, though. Honestly, it is something worth reporting, as well. Some people have dogs that turn into nervous crazies with bass. I had a dog that got all unbecoming when storms were around. I can’t imagine your neighborhood, exactly, but it should be easy to find out where it is coming from. You could always post little notices around explaining how the bass is bothering members of your small community. They’re bound to see it eventually, and perhaps they’ll be polite enough to essentially apply it to their lives. That must be quite the unmitigated nuisance. I'm so happy I live miles away from anything or anybody. |
User: Dexter
Member since: 11-05-2004 Total posts: 48 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 12-05-2004, 09:01 PM (17 of 17)
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Well the basement idea would be a good one, but...there are NO basements in FL. We live on sand, that shifts and gets sink holes...basements are NOT an option here... We had the code enforcement officer here...he couldn't hear it either, but he DID not question that I heard it, because he talked to my neighbor first. (she hears it in my house too..and sometimes her kids hear it in hers) He can't do anything to help me unless he hears it...thats the whole trouble...I wasn't aware that I could hear so well....I think it's a combination of hearing Ok and having a VERY quiet house. (no kids, no t.v. on all the time, etc..)I also think it's someone behind me....cause thats where all the noise seems to be comming from, but catching them at it is another thing all together. Most of 'us' live in brick houses, thats another problem, cause you can't always hear whats going on inside, when you're outside. I'll get to the bottom of it...I still have some people helping me (or trying to anyway). Thanks... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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