New Antenna on CN/WC Waukesha, WI Subdivision

[WIscannerguy24]

I noticed this new antenna along the CN/WC Waukesha, WI Subdivision at MP. I know there is one similar to this one about mile and half north. I am trying to get to upload but its not uploading.

 

[WIscannerguy24]

New Antenna Photo

Sorry about this, I think I finally figured out how to get a photo on this forum.

 

[WIscannerguy24]

I believe these antennas are being put up to improve radio coverage and also maybe going to be utilized when the railroad switches to narrowband frequencies or NEXEDGE

 

[stevelton]

I beleive they are 220mHz antennas for PTC. Locally, Norfolk Southern Built a new Wye. The Wye complex is a form of CTC, but the rest of the line is ABS and Track Warrent. Since these CTC signals are absolute, then if a train passes a restricting indication, it stops the train (in theory).
Steven

 

[IrvingtonVFD43]

Sorry about this, I think I finally figured out how to get a photo on this forum.

These antennas are being/have been installed on control points across the UP between Omaha and Grand Island. I'd imagine PTC. Curious to know myself.

 

[radioman2001]

Yup, sure looks like our PTC antenna's, 220mhz.

 

[stevelton]

Im not seeing any new licenses in the db for the ptc antennas here. Is that going to license by rule? Anyone know. I might go out with the signal stalker to find what 220the freq.s its transmitting on.

 

[radioman2001]

I believe it's a blanket license issued to the AAR. I havn't seen an actual license yet either.

 

[w5han]

your right it is 220mhz phased array antenna's, want be anything to hear, no radio's as of yet except prototype's.

 

[stevelton]

no kind of beacon from the wayside bases? Even if there are no transceivers on the locomotives yet, if the wayside bases were on and ready, you would think it would be transmitting something.

 

[w5han]

wayside bases ??

no wayside bases, none it's dark right now. Good luck though

 

[stevelton]

If there is a base antenna, Im sure there is a radio connected to it. I am equally sure that the base radio is housed inside an equipment shed next to the CP, hence the term wayside base. It is a base radio next to the right-of-way.

Eventually, as PTC is developed, the wayside base will start to transmit whatever data it needs to transmit. At that time I will do a sweep with the scanner to try to find what frequencies the base transmitter is transmitting on.

 

[w5han]

I'm Curious

What is it your expecting to hear ?

 

[stevelton]

I have an r2d2 brain. I expect to hear a noise that most people would think sound like digital buzzing of some kind. My r2d2 brain will decode it and I will know where every train in america is...

 

[ak4fn]