TaxiCab Radios

[W2MR]

Do taxicabs still use two-way radios? Years ago, all of the duplex taxi channels were jam packed with activity as were the business VHF/UHF channels. Even the Ten-Meter Amateur Band had them. Now the
spectrum is very quiet.

Has it been replaced with newer methods of communications such as cellphones/Nextel and such?

Wondering.....

MR

 

[K9WG]

In Indy some of the smaller companies still use 2-way. The big companys have gonne to a MDT type of dispatch. Probably to keep the dispatch somewhat private to prevent other cars from stealing fares.

 

[W2MR]

Taxi Radios

I worked for a two-way shop for many years. You're right about other companies listening in!

I would go to one company and catch them monitoring another company. Shame on them.

Used to fly into Bader Field in Atlantic City and there was often a taxi waiting for us. Found out she had an airband monitor in the cab!


MR

 

[phillydjdan]

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Philly area still uses quite a bit of 2-way. Some have gone to an MDT type of system, like was said above. We have full duplex, repeaters, and simlpex systems in the VHF, UHF, & 800 MHz bands.

 

[kb2vxa]

Once upon a time CB was used as intended, in Elizabeth, NJ Mac's was on channel 21 and in Perth Amboy United was on 22. Here in "The Beach" Brigg's is on one of the old VHF splits and I've seen everything from soup to nuts including... cell phones.

 

[lafd55]

It all depends on where you are. Of course the bigger cities have MDT style set-ups to not clog voice channels. Around Albany, NY area most companies are on UHF and some rent from local communications companies on LTR systems.

 

[b7spectra]

In the Northern area of Atlanta, they have a lot of Hispanic cab companies, and they are using UHF LTR as well as an MDT that sends them the addresses.

 

[autovon]

Some of the cab companies around here use cell phones. I have found others on the regional type trunked systems.

 

[SCPD]

Data terminals

In Indy some of the smaller companies still use 2-way. The big companys have gonne to a MDT type of dispatch. Probably to keep the dispatch somewhat private to prevent other cars from stealing fares.

This brings up something I've been wondering about
About two years ago, our local cab company went from analog voice to strickly data terminals using the same VHF freq.
The only licensed emmision for them on fcc.gov is 20K0F3E.
If I'm reading things right, this is analog voice.

Should they of done some sort of license modification? This is one of those things I went "hmmm" about when it happened, but really didn't put too much more thought into it.

 

[kb2vxa]

Yes they should have but you'll find SO many private and municipal licensees operating outside the terms of license and on expired licenses. After extreme budget and personnel cuts the FCC simply can't deal with much outside the worst offender, the broadcast industry.

 

[mikegilbert]

Here in Seattle, most cab companies use 2-way radios. A few on VHF, one on full duplex 800 and most on UHF.

Here's one recording of Stita Taxi I made. They've got 5-tone signalling boards in their radios.
http://www.supload.com/listen?s=gB8sap

When I lived in Oregon, most companies were on UHF repeaters with phone patches. This way, all drivers would hear the call and the closest driver would chime in to accept the fare after the call was over. There was one company that was notorious for ferrying hookers and johns. Always made for good listening back in the day.

 

[N9NRA]

Well, `round here in central WI they`re still using two-way radio, but they`re using motoTURBO so (i think) they can keep the other two taxi co`s in this town from stealing their fares, only bad bit in that is ya can`t monitor `em, it was convenient for knowing when a cab ya called was on it`s way. N9NRA

 

[RadioDitch]

Here in Union County, NJ there's a mix. Station Cab in Rahway is still on VHF repeated, and Union Taxi runs on UHF repeated. Union Car Company is on CB. Joans Transportation is on 49MHz.

The other big three around here...Elizabeth Yellow Autocab, Linden Cab Company, and Latino Taxi (all owned by the same company) are dispatched by Nextel, but perform various operations over an MDT.

 

[K9WG]

Well, `round here in central WI they`re still using two-way radio, but they`re using motoTURBO so (i think) they can keep the other two taxi co`s in this town from stealing their fares, only bad bit in that is ya can`t monitor `em, it was convenient for knowing when a cab ya called was on it`s way. N9NRA

Well.... Here in Indy it is difficult to monitor the ones on analog anyway as most speak English as a second (or third) language. :twisted:

(BTW - Nice call letters there NRA )

 

[VO1GXG]

A lot of the Cab companies here in Newfoundland have gone Digital NXDN ( Nexedge/IDAS) while some still use VHF. Most cab companies here ban drivers from having cell phones in their cars to prevent them from stealing fares from the company itself. Most boring freqs to listen to in my opinion. Much rather listen to the city bus service!

 

[kb2vxa]

"Here in Union County, NJ there's a mix."

When did Station Cab get a repeater? When I lived in Rahway they used RCA CarFones bristling with tubes, the base was in the owner's house next to Veterans Field with a remote in the railway station connected by a Class A telco line. (Geez, I'm getting old.)

Elizabeth eh? Looks like the Hockenberry shark gobbled up even more companies, they BTW started out as Mac's Taxi on CB channel 21.

Friday Harbor, Washington, home of the Sea Shepherd Society. Hey Rad, howya fixed for whale blubber?