http://forums.radioreference.com/ This is the place to discuss monitoring railroad communications. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:17:07 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.radioreference.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://forums.radioreference.com/ http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/164963-metro-north-maintenance-frequencies-still-use.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:13:09 GMT I was wondering if these metro north MOW frequencies are still in use or if they have switched to cell phones primarily for communications: 160.4100 MHz Third Rail Department, New Haven Maintenance of Way PL 123.0 160.1600 MHz New Haven Line Maintenance 2 PL 123.0 161.1600 MHz New Haven Line... I was wondering if these metro north MOW frequencies are still in use or if they have switched to cell phones primarily for communications:

160.4100 MHz Third Rail Department, New Haven Maintenance of Way PL 123.0
160.1600 MHz New Haven Line Maintenance 2 PL 123.0
161.1600 MHz New Haven Line Power department, Grand Central Terminal StationMaster's office ]]> Railroad/Railfan Monitoring Forum Lynch_Christopher http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/164963-metro-north-maintenance-frequencies-still-use.html http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/164946-psa-yaesu-2800s-dont-have-memory-banks.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:03:18 GMT After my thread comparing MaxTracs against ham rigs a few days ago, I picked up a new Yaesu 2800 and was dismayed to learn that it has a significant issue with its usability: no memory banks. What? My VX-170 has memory banks which I rely on heavily. As it turns out, the 1802, 1900, and 2900... After my thread comparing MaxTracs against ham rigs a few days ago, I picked up a new Yaesu 2800 and was dismayed to learn that it has a significant issue with its usability: no memory banks.

What?

My VX-170 has memory banks which I rely on heavily. As it turns out, the 1802, 1900, and 2900 all have memory banks, but the 2800 does not. That may not mean much in normal 2M ham use, but for a railroad scanner it's a dealbreaker.

Fortunately, I was able to trade the 2800 to a friend for a like-new 1802. The difference in the value of the rigs was less than I'd have lost paying a restocking fee and return shipping to exchange the 2800.

So anyway, just a little PSA for those considering Yaesu mobile rigs for railfan use. ]]> Railroad/Railfan Monitoring Forum KC9LQV http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/164946-psa-yaesu-2800s-dont-have-memory-banks.html http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/164931-where-amtrak-pca-bca-mile-post-142-near-tunnel.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:32:11 GMT I'm having difficulty getting this info:

I heard this mentioned on my radio in Frederick, MD on 160.920 Mhz the evening of Mon, Nov 17. There was a lot of static and dropout so it was possibly transmitted/repeated from behind some hill or was several counties away...maybe east of me. Around that time I heard another broadcast that was 55 miles away on another RR line (on 160.950 mhz) and they mentioned town west of me. Anyway, I'm sure I heard "north at mile post 142.(?)" and "near the tunnel" in the message in question. The first letter in this acronym was unclear: "PCA(?)" or "BCA(?)"

This is the only info I found on that freq:

Amtrak Northeast Corridor
Channel: AAR 54
Frequency: 160.920 Mhz

Also, is there a posted listing of mileposts on the NE
corridor where I'm guessing this transmission came from? Thanks.

JC. ]]> Railroad/Railfan Monitoring Forum 66twr2009 http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/164931-where-amtrak-pca-bca-mile-post-142-near-tunnel.html http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/164929-amtrak-pays-them-do.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:25:22 GMT Oaks Model Railroad Acela Movie Archive

I'd pay Amtrak to drive the Acela.

FLRAILMAN ]]> Railroad/Railfan Monitoring Forum FLRAILMAN http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/164929-amtrak-pays-them-do.html http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/164421-chicago-metra-freqs-used-union-station.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:28:31 GMT The RR Freq listing shows the general frequencies used for railroads as part of the usual channelized service the railroads use, and freqs for some Metra / Amtrak operations, but I'm really wondering which Freqs does Metra use at Union Station? There is the North end and South end of the station.

Also, which frequency would be used at Tower A-12 (Fulton & Canal)? ]]> Railroad/Railfan Monitoring Forum KC9NCF http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/164421-chicago-metra-freqs-used-union-station.html http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/164392-maxtrac-vs-2-meter-ham-rig-bottom-line.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:51:15 GMT From a sensitivity standpoint alone, which is going to be the better performer? For the sake of comparison, let's consider all other differences equal. I'd really like to hear from someone who's compared both side-by-side.

I frequently see intermod rejection cited as a strength of the MaxTracs. I live and spend most of my time in rural areas where it's not an issue. Less intermod is better, of course, but that alone wouldn't be enough to sway my decision.

Sensitivity is the biggest concern for me. I want to be able to pull that distant detector or hear a train calling a signal as far as possible. If the MaxTracs are significantly superior, I'm willing to put up with the downsides like slow scan, programming hassles, etc. Not to mention that in most cases, the MaxTracs actually appear to be cheaper. (Prices on used 2-meter rigs are just stupid.)

I've been trying to make this decision for several weeks, and I just can't make up my mind. But I'm ready to do *something*.

I realize this is an old topic, but I'd like to just cut to the chase and hear direct user comparisons on a specific. Basically, the course of this thread is likely influence my decision.

Thanks. ]]> Railroad/Railfan Monitoring Forum KC9LQV http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/164392-maxtrac-vs-2-meter-ham-rig-bottom-line.html http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/163993-new-jersey-railroad-equipment-seized-deptford-home.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:10:39 GMT *DEPTFORD TWP, N.J.* -- From the street, the cozy white rancher with the black shutters looks like any other well-kept home on the block. Except for two massive railroad signals rising from the back yard. Railroad equipment seized at Deptford home - NJ.com... DEPTFORD TWP, N.J. -- From the street, the cozy white rancher with the black shutters looks like any other well-kept home on the block.
Except for two massive railroad signals rising from the back yard.



Railroad equipment seized at Deptford home - NJ.com ]]> Railroad/Railfan Monitoring Forum Thunderbolt http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/163993-new-jersey-railroad-equipment-seized-deptford-home.html http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/163741-elyria-ohio-ns.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:59:23 GMT I noticed today that NS is installing what looks to be a 800Mhz antenna near the CSX crossing on Huron St in Elyria Ohio . I wonder if anyone knows what this will be for and if it is really something new or just a repair or replacement , upgrade. NS was replacing or repairing the diamond where the... I noticed today that NS is installing what looks to be a 800Mhz antenna near the CSX crossing on Huron St in Elyria Ohio . I wonder if anyone knows what this will be for and if it is really something new or just a repair or replacement , upgrade. NS was replacing or repairing the diamond where the CSX crosses over and cleaned up some brush and now u can see the shack and what looks like a new antenna instal. I would be interested in any info that anyone might have. ]]> Railroad/Railfan Monitoring Forum Tim-Elyria http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/163741-elyria-ohio-ns.html http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/163119-amtrak-boston-mbta-radios.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:56:54 GMT Hi Everyone, I know that in the future railroad radios will be changing and the band will be switching to 12.5khz and 6.25 khz. I know this is over the next couple of years but maybe even sooner than that. I have heard rumors of railroads trying out different radios such as different kenwood... Hi Everyone,

I know that in the future railroad radios will be changing and the band will be switching to 12.5khz and 6.25 khz. I know this is over the next couple of years but maybe even sooner than that. I have heard rumors of railroads trying out different radios such as different kenwood and Icom units. It maybe possible that they are trying out these units because kenwood NXDN and Icom IDAS are basically the same. Has anyone heard of Amtrak or the Boston MBTA trying out these radios or any future plans for the radios?

I do know that right now the MBTA commuter rail is using the Motorola HT1250 VHF full key pad portables and some HT1000's.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, ]]> Railroad/Railfan Monitoring Forum matt131 http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/163119-amtrak-boston-mbta-radios.html http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/162927-rail-frequencies-go-encrypted.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:48:34 GMT Someone told me that this is in the plan for the future due to the threat of terrorism so some FEMA fund will pay for them to go DES? This makes no sense to me at all. Someone told me that this is in the plan for the future due to the threat of terrorism so some FEMA fund will pay for them to go DES?

This makes no sense to me at all. ]]> Railroad/Railfan Monitoring Forum prc117f http://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/162927-rail-frequencies-go-encrypted.html