Freq. scanners

[ccowan2126]

I want to put a scanner on my Christmas wish list and would like to know if I need something special or if this scanner will work well enough : Uniden Handheld Scanner - BC75XLT. It is available on Amazon for $83.00. It is analog. Are most RR's on analog or digital. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[clam1952]

Not in the US but being a radio ham I know what to look for, list of all frequencies for Railroads here http://www.whrc-wi.org/railfreqs.htm, that scanner will be fine for VHF and UHF frequencies.

 

[trainman184]

I have an Uniden BC72XLT and it works a treat. Most railroads are hedging towards digital radio, but in many areas they still use analog(such as NS and CSX in my area). You just have to research what the railroads in your area use. If they use analog then you should be good-to-go, but if they use digital then you're out of luck unfortunately. Generally if they use digital the signal will be encrypted so no one can listen in. Also its illegal for a scanner to decrypt the digital signal. Also, be sure to check the laws in you're area regarding the use of scanner radios.

Hopefully you'll be able to use one.
Cheers,
-trainman184.

 

[ccowan2126]

Thank, to you both !

 

[ryanstrains]

Railroads are going to narrowband radio now, so make sure it can handle the tighter spacing of channels, I'm still not sure exactly how they are going about that so hopefully someone else can shed some light on the specifics of narrowband.

Regarding digital, I'm sure this will happen in the future but I don't think there is a timeline yet.

 

[cascaderailroad]

More than likely you will not be able to eavesdrop on most RR conversations, and what little you hear will be but a drop in the bucket.

Most RR employees radios are pure junk, with no "get out" wattage, and unless you are extremely close by the radio operator, you will hear little or nothing, or garbled static.

 

[RacerTodd]

I used a BC92XLT, which isn't narrowband capable, until recently. When BNSF went to narrowband, it still worked OK. Some transmissions were softer than before, but it wasn't too much of a big deal. I switched to a narrowband-capable BC125AT which works better. Check eBay, you can get used scanners much cheaper than new.

Todd

 

[RacerTodd]

More than likely you will not be able to eavesdrop on most RR conversations, and what little you hear will be but a drop in the bucket.

Most RR employees radios are pure junk, with no "get out" wattage, and unless you are extremely close by the radio operator, you will hear little or nothing, or garbled static.

Completely untrue. I can pick transmissions from miles away with my handheld scanner. I use a rubber-ducky antenna tuned specifically for the railroad frequencies. With my roof-mounted 1/4-wave antenna, reception is even better.

Todd

 

[ryanstrains]

Completely untrue. I can pick transmissions from miles away with my handheld scanner. I use a rubber-ducky antenna tuned specifically for the railroad frequencies. With my roof-mounted 1/4-wave antenna, reception is even better.

Todd

I agree with you, on a good day I can pick up over 30 miles with my handheld scanner out of my second story bedroom, one of the big things that helps you get a good signal is a good antenna.

 

[cascaderailroad]

Be warned that in some States mobile use of a scanner is illegal, especially when trespassing

 

[RacerTodd]

Be warned that in some States mobile use of a scanner is illegal, especially when trespassing

Only ouright illegal in a handful of states. In a few more it is illegal to have a scanner to assist in a crime. See: http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/scanner5.html

Todd