I disagree. I believe that you will start seeing testing and small scale usage in the next couple of years.
We have been deploying equipment programmed for digital for at least a year now. If there was no immediate plans to utilize NXDN in the near future, they wouldn't be deploying the equipment. They would be deploying cheaper analog equipment.
Again, I emphasize, he is correct in that there is no mandate. But the agreement has been made between the major players, and this will go forward in the Class I's and Amtrak as well as major commuter lines and major regional systems. Period. It's in stone. The date keeps changing, but the switch is said and done.
The Class I's, MRL, RailAmerica, Amtrak, and commuter roads are all 100% ready at this time per their reports to the AAR. ALL of the licenses for the committed roads have had modifications approved to allow for NXDN operation. Hell, even Strasburg Rail Road is good to go.
The big problem that keeps pushing the date back is the railroads like CML in this thread. The smaller regionals and shortlines that are cash strapped and must be able to communicate with the Class I's for interchange or trackage rights need time to acquire equipment, program it, and modify their licenses. For some really small roads, this is a bigger feat than it sounds. The major players are trying to give everyone else a fair chance to catch up.
NXDN is coming. 6/1/2018 for now, per the AAR and Class I's, but again, VERY likely to be pushed back yet again. Almost guaranteed.
(FWIW too, the systems will be CSQ/Clear/No access code, so if you can afford an NXDN radio, when it does happen, you will still be able to listen in.)
Last edited: