Hello Everyone!
I am relatively new to railfaning, I usaully only see trains when I hear a horn or just happen to drive past one.
However, I’d like to change that. To do that I am considering purchasing a scanner so I can have a better time finding trains! So I need some help and advice!
First, could I get a bit of background on scanners. I know they are like radios, but little else. What is the difference between scanners and radios. I’ve heard there are two way scanners, that can also transmit (though I know that is illegal on railroad frequencie). Are there also one way scanners. I think that’s what I would want, I have no need to transmit.
When buying a scanner is anything important I need to know/look for? What’s a good price for a scanner? Do you have any recommendations of specific scanners? I am, as previously stated, a beginner, and I don’t need all the bells and whistles, just want to be able to listen in. I also don’t want to pay too much, kind of on a budget!
Also I could use some tips about how to use scanners. When using a scanner, what things indicate a train coming? Does this differ from railroad to railroad? Is is different on class ones or short lines?
That’s a lot of questions, but I really am a beginner with scanners!
I look forward to reading answers and please don’t hesitate to add something useful even if I haven’t directly asked for it!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
SPSOT fan Hello Everyone! I am relatively new to railfaning, I usaully only see trains when I hear a horn or just happen to drive past one.
SPSOT fan However, I’d like to change that. To do that I am considering purchasing a scanner so I can have a better time finding trains! So I need some help and advice! First, could I get a bit of background on scanners. I know they are like radios, but little else. What is the difference between scanners and radios. I’ve heard there are two way scanners, that can also transmit (though I know that is illegal on railroad frequencie). Are there also one way scanners. I think that’s what I would want, I have no need to transmit.
Scanners are simply radio receivers that have the ability to listen to a variety of frequencies in succession, stopping the scan when a channel has traffic, then resuming when that transmission stops.
They come in a variety of flavors and prices.
The "two way" scanner you speak of are probably amateur radio equipment with the ability to scan. There are several brands, however the FCC is looking at them due to the fact that they are not acceptable for use or other than ham radio. And transmitting with them is illegal for any frequency for which you are not licensed or otherwise authorized to operate. If you were to acquire one of them, you very definitely want to program it so it cannot transmit.
SPSOT fan When buying a scanner is anything important I need to know/look for? What’s a good price for a scanner? Do you have any recommendations of specific scanners? I am, as previously stated, a beginner, and I don’t need all the bells and whistles, just want to be able to listen in. I also don’t want to pay too much, kind of on a budget!
Sensitivity is the key - the better the sensitivity, the better the receiver. That said - even an inexpensive scanner can be improved by the simple act of using a better antenna (available as an aftermarket item), especially one tuned to the band of choice (ie, railroads).
SPSOT fan Also I could use some tips about how to use scanners. When using a scanner, what things indicate a train coming? Does this differ from railroad to railroad? Is is different on class ones or short lines?
You'll need to program the AAR channels for the railroad(s) you want to fan. Those are generally available on-line via a search. Sometimes, a local fan will post specific listening tips for a given area.
If you are going to travel a lot, putting all 100 original AAR channels, and possibly the 100 new channels, into your scanner will cover you nation-wide.
In the case of the Class 1's on mainlines, sometimes you'll hear the head-end crew calling signals, which are spaced every few miles. On lesser used lines, they may just call "stations," which may just be a small sign on a post.
Oftimes, if the crew is working an industry, you'll hear the chatter related to switching.
You may also hear defect detectors report on the air. That will be a robotic voice advising such things as milepost location, any defects found, how many axles, train speed, and sometimes other stuff. Those are in a fixed location, and can provide reliable information that a train is coming. They only report after the train passes, however. A train may have passed you before hitting the detector.
If you are close enough to a radio base (remotely operated by the dispatcher) you may hear the dispatcher relaying information to the crews (and vice versa).
SPSOT fan That’s a lot of questions, but I really am a beginner with scanners! I look forward to reading answers and please don’t hesitate to add something useful even if I haven’t directly asked for it!
Less of a possibility in these days of longer trains is listening for the end-of-train device (which will be on a UHF frequency). The EOT will transmit a short data burst periodically. If it's within range of your scanner, the EOT transmission can signal the approach of a train even if the crew is not calling signals or other locations. Virtually all EOTs operate on the same frequency, however, so if there's more than one operating in the same area, you won't know which is which.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Thanks for your reply!
I have a few queries remaining regarding getting a scanner. Where are some good places to get scanners, and what kind of price range am I looking at? Also do you have any specific model or brand recommendations?
Keep the answers coming!
There are numerous sources for scanners - I'll let you do a search. Read the reviews as well. Sometimes you'll find that a given model scanner is simply one manufactured by a different company and rebadged.
Price depends on what you want. If you are simply looking at a handheld conventional (pocket scanner), you can get by for somewhere around $100. A mobile style (also usable as a base - ie, at your house), will be a little more. I usually like to say go as "big" as you can afford.
If you'll be going trackside away from your vehicle, you'll want a handheld.
It's said that if/when the railroads go digital, it will be the technology known as "NXDN." That likely won't be for a while, so you may want to forego that capability.
If you want to listen to your local public safety as well, you'll have to see what you need (radioreference.com). Some areas have gone digital, some have gone analog trunking, some are still conventional.
If you want a scanner that will also do trunking, the price tag goes up, especially if you want one that does digital. Mine were around $400.
And don't forget that the antenna is a major factor. If you are getting a handheld, consider an aftermarket antenna that goes directly on the radio. If you'll be using it in your vehicle (be aware of local scanner laws), consider getting a magnetic mount antenna tuned for the RR band that you can plug into your pocket scanner and put on the roof of your vehicle. Only the most dedicated will bother with permanently mounting an antenna on the vehicle.
Good luck!
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