BNSF 44.58 use in CA/OR?

[oregontreehugger]

In doing a check of recent FCC licenses in Klamath County, OR, I discovered one for BNSF on 44.58 MHz:

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?cs=WQIY624

Does anyone here have an idea of what this might be used for? I always thought railroads were operating on VHF high with the AAR channels.

But I defer to the rail experts here...

 

[nd5y]

http://www.meteorcomm.com/wireless/railroad.aspx

 

[DPD1]

Sometimes you'll see the long low-band Sinclair blade antenna on the roof of BNSF units. It would be cool if this could be decoded someday for hobbyists.

Dave
www.DPDProductions.com
Makers of the "TrainTenna" Monitoring Antenna

 

[icom1020]

So far in the NW it's for MOW. I talked to a track inspector , also a ham on the Oregon Trunk a couple of months ago who explained it. He said it's linked to an on board GPS which then transmits to a remote base on the low-band freq. He said he thought it put out around 50 watts or so as it occasionally affected some of his other RF devices with a pulsing noise. It can warn other track equipment if they are too close as well.

 

[KMA367]

In doing a check of recent FCC licenses in Klamath County, OR, I discovered one for BNSF on 44.58 MHz:

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?cs=WQIY624

Does anyone here have an idea of what this might be used for? I always thought railroads were operating on VHF high with the AAR channels.

The only emission listed on their license is 20K0F1D, which is FM digitized data, (no voice).

BNSF has 148 active licenses on that frequency all over their territory, all of which have been granted since April of this year, and a bunch more are pending.

 

[oregontreehugger]

Many thanks for the answers!

 

[kb2vxa]

What has me wondering is their use of the term "meteor burst communications". To me it's bouncing VHF (primarily 6M) signals off ionized meteor trails. During a good shower the band comes alive with fleeting exchanges, quite challenging and a whole lot of fun.