Question for RailHams

[dapaq2]

How many RailHams do we have out there, may I get a raise of hands? RAILHAMS are Amateur radio operators (Ham radio operators) who have an interest in trains and railroads and use amateur radio frequencies and repeaters for the purpose of communicating with each other about trains, railroads, train movements and other railroad related activities and subjects or topics.

 

[kudzu_kid]

Not sure exactly what a railham is. Do you mean a ham that's also a rail fan (me) or a ham that operates a rig while riding the rails? I'm the first but not the latter.

Feel free to count me if I fit the bill for what you're looking for!

73

 

[dapaq2]

Sorry about that, I didn't see that question coming, I have updated my initial post.

 

[kg6nlw]

I'm a Ham Railer There are a handful of us out there...

Regards,

-Frank C.

 

[gary123]

You would be surprised at how many rail fans, plane buffs, racing enthusiasts are hams. Not surprising as hams have a inherent love for the RF hobby in general.

 

[wa8pyr]

I guess I'd be a Rail Ham. Don't always use ham frequencies for chasing, but do sometimes.

 

[dpm3]

I am a rail ham, I reckon. Primary focuses have been BNSF Centralia North and Stampede Pass subs, UPRR Seattle sub; along with (in my prior location) UPRR Jeff City sub.

 

[cbehr91]

There are more railfans than you probably think who have their tickets. Not sure how often (if ever) it's used, but 146.490MHz used to be an unoffical "railham" simplex frequency.

 

[ak7an]

Does being. a ham and working for a RR count as a Rail Ham?

 

[Stecomp]

Got my Ham license 30 plus years ago for the main purpose of being legal in the state of Indiana to carry a scanner mobile or otherwise away from home. One of the exceptions to the law is being an Amateur Radio Operator. In the 90's I used it occasionally to speak to a few fellow railfans on train updates but that's about it. Also Ham radios from Yaesu and Kenwwod and ICOM among others were great receivers for the 160-161mhz band.

The scanner law is still on the books here but as it always has, speaks specifically to receiving or transmitting on police frequencies only. So if you are using a VHF rail radio only you would in theory be exempt from the law. Any modern radio like a SDS100 multi mode receiver would be subject to confiscation and a fine if caught outside your home or business. Yes the scanner phone apps also could come under the rule. Been a long time since someone actually cited for carrying a scanner as far as I know.

Interesting that Indiana recently became a right to carry firearm state without permit but the scanner law is still on the books which will become a moot point before long with encryption.

 

[kg6nlw]

Does being. a ham and working for a RR count as a Rail Ham?

I would hope so myself! Otherwise, Daddy W.B. would be upset with me! LOL

Regards,

-Frank C.

 

[dapaq2]

Does being. a ham and working for a RR count as a Rail Ham?

If you use amateur radio frequencies and repeaters to communicate with other RailHams about trains, railroads, train movements and other railroad related activities, subjects or topics, then yes you would be considered a RailHam. If you do not, then no you are not a RailHam, you are just a railroader who is a licensed ham radio operator.

 

[davedaver1]

Does being. a ham and working for a RR count as a Rail Ham?

Someone said we might be "Ham Railers", would that make you a "Rail Hammer"?

 

[w2dsx]

Used to be quite a few railhams around, at least by me (NYC/Tri-state area). Some of the railfanning sites have forums devoted to it too. But with the passing a few key characters things have quieted down quite a bit. I work for a commuter railroad and when it comes up on a repeater some of the railfans pop up and we can have a good discussion going on. My first group of railfans I met used to take pride that we had 2 of the major indications for Asperger's, railfanning and Ham Radio

It was also good back in the post-9/11 era when I used to get questioned about the HT or portable in my car, and I would pull out the text of VTL 397 from an over-zealous security guard being near (but not on RR property) and having a radio.

 

[Falcon9h]

Used to be quite a few railhams around, at least by me (NYC/Tri-state area). Some of the railfanning sites have forums devoted to it too. But with the passing a few key characters things have quieted down quite a bit. I work for a commuter railroad and when it comes up on a repeater some of the railfans pop up and we can have a good discussion going on. My first group of railfans I met used to take pride that we had 2 of the major indications for Asperger's, railfanning and Ham Radio

It was also good back in the post-9/11 era when I used to get questioned about the HT or portable in my car, and I would pull out the text of VTL 397 from an over-zealous security guard being near (but not on RR property) and having a radio.

Yep... I'm diagnosed Aspberger's for sure. Complete with little to no social skills and being the King of Inappropriate Comments. Got tossed from Twitter 3X before Musk.
I'm 68 and only got the diagnosis 5 years ago. Always knew something wasn't right, having been a bully magnet. When we finally figured it out, everything came together.
Now it's a gift, I embraced it. I'm not stupid, I'm empathetic-especially with dogs-I'm very detail oriented which means I'm a good photographer and old radio restorer. 👍 And of course, crazy about trains, rockets and restoring radios!
Things here quieted down too. I'm in Norfolk Southern country and you can shoot only so many GE wide cabs. In the early 2000's when I finally got a digital camera there was much more locomotive variety. Now, they really all do look alike, and driving is $$$$.
Hope maybe this post helps someone else 🕉️

 

[CcSkyEye]

I have a casual interest in both.

 

[Kitn1mcc]

I am Ham,Railroader and a railroad radio maintainer (not my full time job) also a motor hand car owner and operator

 

[Kitn1mcc]

Used to be quite a few railhams around, at least by me (NYC/Tri-state area). Some of the railfanning sites have forums devoted to it too. But with the passing a few key characters things have quieted down quite a bit. I work for a commuter railroad and when it comes up on a repeater some of the railfans pop up and we can have a good discussion going on. My first group of railfans I met used to take pride that we had 2 of the major indications for Asperger's, railfanning and Ham Radio

It was also good back in the post-9/11 era when I used to get questioned about the HT or portable in my car, and I would pull out the text of VTL 397 from an over-zealous security guard being near (but not on RR property) and having a radio.

MN or NJ

 

[w2dsx]

MN or NJ

LI

 

[Kitn1mcc]

LI

oh ok makes sense . I always get confused were valley stream is i keep thinking its up off the hudson line