CN MacMillan Yard

[mciupa]

So, this morning I was travelling along Highway 7 by the CN MacMillan yard and the 396 was
spitting out the muffled helicopter sound of a NXDN system.

When I got home, I positively ID-ed 160.53 on DSD+ using NXDN with the users asking the Trainmaster for permissions.

I'm also getting 160.23 and 160.47 with NXDN but can't verify usage.

If you are capable and are a railfan, give it a listen.

 

[Forts]

I noticed a few weeks ago that their were NXDN emission types popping up on some railroad channels in the area. I've also been told the new jail in Windsor is NXDN.

 

[ve3tej]

All the yard engines in Macyard have got rid of their UHF radios and went vhf NXDN

 

[DaveH]

Thanks for tipoff MJC, did a couple of searches around Ottawa, nothing yet.

TAFL lists some NXDN for the frequencies shown, look for 4kHz bandwidth.
Geographic Area search will probably turn up more. Some activity shown in the
Montreal area also.

Dave

 

[DaveH]

Thanks for tipoff MJC, did a couple of searches around Ottawa, nothing yet.

TAFL lists some NXDN for the frequencies shown, look for 4kHz bandwidth.
Geographic Area search will probably turn up more. Some activity shown in the
Montreal area also.

Dave

So far, I have found one instance, Inkerman ON (south of Ottawa), 161.010/161.010,
VAV271, will see if anything can be heard on it.

Dave

 

[mciupa]

How about VIA Rail? I've heard NXDN on 160.77 too.

Happy hunting!

 

[EJB]

Does this mean that the switch to NXDN that has been mentioned for so many years is finally coming about? That would be a shame, I grew up surrounded by rail and continue to listen to today, the CN Mainline on the Oakville and Halton Sub's are so close by.

 

[slicerwizard]

You make it sound like NXDN is unmonitorable...

 

[mciupa]

It's great that a dongle or a tapped scanner will let you listen to NXDN and TRBO with the appropriate software.

I personally prefer a cheap-*** Pro-2032 tapped analog scanner ($20) and DSD+ to monitor NXDN, as I find too much fiddling around with settings and warm up for my liking with the dongle.

 

[EJB]

You make it sound like NXDN is unmonitorable...

Meh, it is easier the listen to it as it was than NXDN...

But if needed I still have Pro 2045 that you tapped for me and my 396T is also tapped.

 

[rrmitchell]

Many Rail Roads

Does this mean that the switch to NXDN that has been mentioned for so many years is finally coming about? That would be a shame, I grew up surrounded by rail and continue to listen to today, the CN Mainline on the Oakville and Halton Sub's are so close by.

Many railroads share power,lease and use other rr's tracks to get to customers.Therefore all leading units must have radios that meet the standards set for radio communications. Thus I see NXDN for use in yards and smaller roads with little or no interchange, so mainline listening will not change.