MTA-Northern Division MNCRR oddball frequencies

[FLRAILMAN]

Has anyone monitored or know what the following out of allocation frequencies are utilized for by the MTA-Northern Division (MNCRR)
153.2975 MHz WQKL975
153.3425 MHz "

Locations
MTA HQ. NYC
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Wassaic, N.Y.
Campbell Hall, N.Y.
New Haven, Ct.
Waterbury, Ct.


458.0 MHz WPJT417

Location
Croton, N.Y.

Thanks
FLRAILMAN

[paul]

I also saw these frequencies as new FCC assignments in an FCC search in July. Put them in the radio - so far nothing - probably too soon for them to be active. I am located near the Poughkeepsie station, so hearing whatever will be on should not be a problem.

[FLRAILMAN]

Thanks Paul for your swift reply, if you can, let me know if you ever hear anything in the future.
Thanks
FLRAILMAN

[Lynch_Christopher]

Seems like they could be new MTA Police frequencies since they don't seem to be in the railroad band.

[transitman]

A suggestion. If you see a new frequency assigned to a company and fail to hear any activity, try searching the RR or FCC databases to see if that frequency is also assigned to another agency/company in the area. Sometimes multiple licenses for a specific frequency could indicate a common use such as a police net. Another example is NJTransit has licenses for frequencies on railroads where no service is currently provided, however it may be beneficial to have the license for future considerations.

[FLRAILMAN]

Transitman, I followed your advice & double checked the three frequencies in question & the FCC database reflects that 153.2975 MHz & 153.3425 MHz are licensed exclusively systemwide to the MTA, however 458.0 MHz is shared with a large number of businesses statewide. Go figure.
FLRAILMAN

[radioman2001]

Without getting too specific, those are new channels for a large area trunking system. That's all I can say for now.

[trainman111]

Both the VHF and UHF frequencies? Seems a bit odd to me...

Edit: Those frequencies better not be for a trunked system. 153.2975 is licensed to Metro North for Conventional operation only, not trunking. There is no notification listed of wanting to change the license and it doesn't expire until 2019.

[Lynch_Christopher]

Whats also interesting is that when you take a look at the license WQKL975 under eligibility it has the following:

90.35 - APPLICANT IS ENGAGED IN THE GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY FOR USE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

[DaveNF2G]

The interurban railroads were the first companies to generate and distribute power for the general public (as opposed to businesses).

[Lynch_Christopher]

Originally Posted by DaveNF2G

The interurban railroads were the first companies to generate and distribute power for the general public (as opposed to businesses).

Thanks for the info. That's interesting that the railroads were the first companies to generate and distribute electricity for the public.

[SKYNET156]

I know that Amtrak has/had 173mhz frequencies in the FCC ULS, i heard that they were used for Amtrak CID and Swat,
I am not sure what MNRR uses these 153mhz frequencies for?
I also heard that the RR band was allocated alot of (im not sure how many) Splinter freqs,
I am in Castle Hill, Bronx, I have them in the scanner and not yet a word from them, I am getting traffic on the normal MNRR allocations right now,
Also, i am lost of the subject of power to the public??...what does this have to do with MNRR?
and is this what you guys found out the frequencies are used for?

[Lynch_Christopher]

Originally Posted by SKYNET156

I know that Amtrak has/had 173mhz frequencies in the FCC ULS, i heard that they were used for Amtrak CID and Swat,
I am not sure what MNRR uses these 153mhz frequencies for?
I also heard that the RR band was allocated alot of (im not sure how many) Splinter freqs,
I am in Castle Hill, Bronx, I have them in the scanner and not yet a word from them, I am getting traffic on the normal MNRR allocations right now,
Also, i am lost of the subject of power to the public??...what does this have to do with MNRR?
and is this what you guys found out the frequencies are used for?

I think where the generation of power and distribution came into play is that years ago the railroad used to generate their own electricity for the overhead catenary and the third rails. I think they may have also distributed power into the public electrical grid. Where this comes into play is that in the license it mentions that the applicant uses these frequencies for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.

[paul]

Signals turned up on 153.2975 MHz. today - LTR clicks. So far no voice, but key-ups displayed an ID 1-01-090. At my location in Poughkeepsie the clicks are inaudible on a portable scanner with rubber duck antenna - need a ground plane to hear them - so the transmitter is probably not local. So far nothing on 154.3425 MHz. Will keep listening.

[Lynch_Christopher]

Originally Posted by paul

Signals turned up on 153.2975 MHz. today - LTR clicks. So far no voice, but key-ups displayed an ID 1-01-090. At my location in Poughkeepsie the clicks are inaudible on a portable scanner with rubber duck antenna - need a ground plane to hear them - so the transmitter is probably not local. So far nothing on 154.3425 MHz. Will keep listening.

Yeah they must have begun testing of the new system. Thanks for the update

[FLRAILMAN]

Thanks Paul for keeping us updated, have you seen any new MTA trucks or vans around Poughkeepsie station outside of the usual MOW vehicles?
FLRAILMAN

[paul]

The only new info I can report is that there are Morse Code automatic ID's on both 153 MHz. frequencies.

[radioman2001]

You are not likely to see any difference in the vehicles for the radio shop. We have old junkers like the rest of the maintainence groups

[Lynch_Christopher]

Has there been any increase in testing on the new system?