Scanners

[PaTrainFan]

Lifelong train traveler so very experienced but something I have never used is scanner. Am preparing for a trip in three weeks from Pittsburgh to LA (via SWC) and return (via SSL/TE) and thinking it might be time to purchase one. Would really appreciate any recommendations on type, style, even brand (if that's appropriate here). Bear in mind it wouldn't be used but once or twice a year for train travel so I don't know that I need a top of the line model. Generally what kind of range do they have? Given that I live some 8 miles from the Pittsburgh Amtrak station would I be able to pick up any chatter from there? I'm basically starting here from zero knowledge of these devices. Any other tips on usage will be gratefully accepted.

 

[norfolkwesternhenry]

I have a Uniden Bearcat (BC75XLT), with 300 storable channels, it works great, the best website to is On Track on Line (http://on-track-on-line.com/index.shtml) where it lists all the frequencies for every line, plus information on scanners and a full table of every channel (2 through 97). I dount you would be able to pick up a good signal from 8 miles away unless there is a repeater transmitting that frequency. If the line runs near you then you should be able to pick up the trains on the move. I reccomend programming every FRA channel into your scanner, and then in a separate bank add the frequencies for your trip. I am definitly not an expert on this stuff, so my facts may be wrong, but I listen to the crew every trip without major issue.

 

[TinCan782]

As mentioned above, On Track On Line ( http://www.on-track-on-line.com/amtrak-freqs.shtml) has frequencies for the Amtrak routes. Also, RadioReference.com has railroad frequencies in their data base and has a Railroad/Railfan Monitoring Forum ( https://forums.radioreference.com/railroad-railfan-monitoring-forum/).

The most basic of scanners will suffice. With a 200 channel scanner you will be able to program in the AAR channels. The channels/frequencies are referred to by their AAR channel number. Very useful using the scanner channel number corresponding to the AAR channel number.

Happy listening!

 

[chakk]

I use an old inexpensive portable scanner that can save 10 channels that uses earphones and an AC power supply with 5 AA batteries as backup. I carry a printout from the website mentioned by an earlier post for the Trains I will be riding and "follow along" during the trip.

Also handy are the "employee-like"" timetables available for sale from Altamont Press for the regions of the country through which I will be traveling.

 

[Acela150]

I just bought a Uniden Bearcat unit. BC125AT off of Amazon for a little under $100 and if you're a prime member the price is lower then that now. Which bugs me. But it stores 500 channels and has Alpha Tags. Meaning you can label the channels.

I can definitely recommend it.

 

[PVD]

I also have the 75xlt, it has served me well.If a scanner is too old, it may not be able to handle the newer, tighter frequency allocations, limiting its use going forward. google scanner websites, there are a myriad of discussions on the subject with lots of good information.

 

[norfolkwesternhenry]

There is also computer softwear that you can use to program your Uniden Bearcat devices, making it much easier to program than manually

 

[railiner]

There is also computer softwear that you can use to program your Uniden Bearcat devices, making it much easier to program than manually

That's very nice....my first scanner would hold four crystals, each tuned to a specific frequency. They got pricey if you wanted enough to cover all the railroad channels, and you had to use a tweezer or needle nose plier's to swap them around, not to mention they were easy to lose when carried around.

Then they came out with an early programmable one...but it was a nightmare to program... you had to enter each digit of the frequency you wanted in binary number format.

Finally they came out with keypad programming.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I have a Uniden Bearcat (BC75XLT), with 300 storable channels, it works great, the best website to is On Track on Line where it lists all the frequencies for every line, plus information on scanners and a full table of every channel (2 through 97). I dount you would be able to pick up a good signal from 8 miles away unless there is a repeater transmitting that frequency. If the line runs near you then you should be able to pick up the trains on the move. I reccomend programming every FRA channel into your scanner, and then in a separate bank add the frequencies for your trip. I am definitly not an expert on this stuff, so my facts may be wrong, but I listen to the crew every trip without major issue.

Even with close proximity you may still only be able to hear one side of the conversation depending on location and strength of the transmitter, repeater, and receiver. Replacing the rubber duck aerial with an AAR specific antenna can help improve reception. Another site to use is http://www.radioreference.com/which includes frequencies beyond conventional Amtrak routes.

I just bought a Uniden Bearcat unit. BC125AT off of Amazon for a little under $100 and if you're a prime member the price is lower then that now. Which bugs me. But it stores 500 channels and has Alpha Tags. Meaning you can label the channels. I can definitely recommend it.

According to my notes I have the BC125AT as well. Usually keep in my car for when I feel like spotting. Alpha Tags are very helpful and should be featured on every modern scanner. Where I live there is a different AAR channel for trains from the East, West, North, South, City Limits, and Passenger Station. Being able to see, select, and isolate those channels is what elevates this scanner from a tedious toy to a practical tool.

I also have the 75xlt, it has served me well.If a scanner is too old, it may not be able to handle the newer, tighter frequency allocations, limiting its use going forward. google scanner websites, there are a myriad of discussions on the subject with lots of good information.

In one of the few unintended benefits of perpetual intransigence, railroad (and airline) frequency listeners actually have it very good in terms of scanner usage. At least compared to police and emergency service frequency listeners who require special trunking and decoding hardware that may or may not be entirely legal. So far as I am aware almost any programmable scanner can "handle" narrowband analog transmissions. The main issue is that with less precise tuning the already softer narrowband signal is further weakened and eroded.

 

[PVD]

Some of the older ones can't, I replaced mine for that reason, it was rendered "functionally obsolete" Anything new, probably does.

 

[texline]

I picked up a BC75XLT for $70 after reading the suggestions on AU. I got to try it out a couple of weeks ago on the CZ. Worked great and made the trip even better. I laugh at myself because I had to wear a radio for decades and I said to myself at retirement never again. I guess enough time passed. It is a great tool, follow the suggestions here and you will be all set.

 

[fairviewroad]

earphones

This.

Please.

Even if you're in a sleeping accommodation.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Some of the older ones can't, I replaced mine for that reason, it was rendered "functionally obsolete" Anything new, probably does.

I wonder what would have prevented it? The tuner should still get you in the ballpark. The signal will be weaker/flakier but should still receive something. Was silence/static all that you heard or was it extremely weak?

 

[PVD]

The problem is not in bands where stuff hasn't really moved, like air and rail, but in bands where they are taking advantage of the narrower assignments to cram in more allocations. This happened in a number of the allocations in public service in my area (we have both trunked and untrunked, vhf and uhf) not much digital

 

[Devil's Advocate]

The problem is not in bands where stuff hasn't really moved, like air and rail, but in bands where they are taking advantage of the narrower assignments to cram in more allocations. This happened in a number of the allocations in public service in my area (we have both trunked and untrunked, vhf and uhf) not much digital

Oh, I see now. Even though AAR bands haven't received new between-band allocations other industries have and therefore the newly approved frequencies are stepping on and interfering with each other.

 

[PVD]

Yes, not so much an issue yet in rail, but in many other places, it was. Plus, the ability to program via computer, 2 instead of 4 batteries, and other features added for a pretty reasonable amount of money jumped and said "it's time"