Wash DC Metro Trunking System

[jwsmith59]

Hi, I have a Pro-106 scanner (PSR-500 RS Clone) and I am trying to listen to the Metro System subway trains. I programmed the scanner with the control channels and with the "Analyze" feature can see the system ID and I am getting a 99% signal. I created a "Wildcard" talk group object but I cannot receive any activity what-so-ever. I have switched back and forth between Mot 900/800 and Mot UHF/VHF trunking systems but I still cannot hear any activity. If I listen on the trunking system non-control channel freqs I can hear many Metro System radio traffic transmissions. But in normal scanning mode or when in manual mode on the Wildcard object I recieve nothing. I do get the indicator the "T" "G" and full signal strength indicators.
Thanks

 

[drivinflyin]

Wash DC Metro Train System

Are you trying to monitor the WMATA system?

I've yet to listen to it.

Do you also have the trunking table programed?

Lo Chan 380 Hi Chan 759 Offset 380 Base Freq 489.087500 Step 25.000

Are these the control freqs that you have programmed?
490.787500
490.862500
496.437500
496.537500

Try it again if this is the system you are talking about. Put in the trunking table as well.

Scott
KB8QZG

 

[transitman]

Rail operations continue to use the VHF channels:
160.26 Red
160.38 Orange, Blue (north of Pentagon)
160.62 Green, Yellow, Blue (south of Arlington Cemetery)
161.415 Terminal Control

The bus system uses the UHF trunk system

 

[wwhitby]

The last time I was up in DC, WMATA's security was also using the trunked system along with their buses.

While riding one of their trains, I sat next to a WMATA employee that was using a VHF Motorola Saber. He was getting pager intermod over the frequency he was monitoring, so we're not the only ones who have to suffer intermod

Warren