How close do you have to be to a rail line to hear?

[Jondrew55]

I have a SDS100 and it's hooked up to Proscan so I can search and log hits. I loaded all the Florida rail frequencies after doing a search on RR (CSX, Amtrak, Brightline etc). I know there are rail yards in Sanford Fl and in the south end of Orlando. I'm located pretty much in between those two areas geographically. The closest active tracks I know of are probably 5 miles or so away.

So far, all I've picked up was a long signal that I had to hit temporary avoid on. Maybe a carrier or something (I'm new at this) at 160.000 listed as CSX Auburndale Fl, which is about 50 miles from me. I also got a weak, short transmission from Sunrail at 160.725. Other than that, it's pretty dead.

Is this normal? Would I need to be closer to active rail lines? I've been poking around the RR Wiki without much success.

 

[Brales60]

I can get CSX in Tampa and Lakeland, and I'm probably 70-80 miles away.

 

[mc48]

Pay around with different filters, this can really help with reception.

 

[Jondrew55]

Pay around with different filters, this can really help with reception.

Newbie here. What filters are you referring to? Just an update, I left the scanner on all night and logged about 20 hits. Have not figured out how to record the hits yet (either on the SDS 100 or with Proscan), but the few I did hear come in were pretty weak. I assume this is because I've only got a Diamond RH77CA antenna right now. I did purchase a discone antenna (see other post I have in the antenna forum about putting my antenna in the attic because I can't mount it outdoors). Maybe I'll be able to pull more in then. But if there's some setting or filter I can use to optimize the reception, that would be good to know. Right now, I'm only getting weak, one ended conversations. Again, it just may be I'm not really close enough to pull more than that in with my current set up.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Newbie here. What filters are you referring to?

https://wiki.radioreference.com/images/3/31/SDS100_SDS200_Filter_Settings.pdf

 

[Jondrew55]

For what it's worth, here is the log I've grabbed. Based on the RSSI, all of these are pretty weak. Maybe the new antenna will help

 

[Jondrew55]

https://wiki.radioreference.com/images/3/31/SDS100_SDS200_Filter_Settings.pdf

 

[N5TWB]

For what it's worth, here is the log I've grabbed. Based on the RSSI, all of these are pretty weak. Maybe the new antenna will help
View attachment 178896

If you’re depending on the OEM on-set antenna, I’d say you’ve found the problem. Outside antenna, good coaxial cable, good height - all will make a difference for reception. Even when going mobile for a chase or basic stationary rail fanning trackside, a good mobile antenna on a proper mount will improve the signal.

 

[Jondrew55]

If you’re depending on the OEM on-set antenna, I’d say you’ve found the problem. Outside antenna, good coaxial cable, good height - all will make a difference for reception. Even when going mobile for a chase or basic stationary rail fanning trackside, a good mobile antenna on a proper mount will improve the signal.

I have a decent antenna, but I can only set it up inside the house. It's an improvement, but I would imagine nothing like if it were outdoors over my roof.