Radio: RR Traffic Scanner- Recommendations?

[samfp1943]

Can some one recommend a 'scanner' to listen to local railroad 'traffic'. 

I have been a'fan' FOR A LONG TIME, and have never owned any type of scanner. My plan to use it at home.  I am curious as to a Brand, or specific type of unit.     Possibly, would or could consider a portable type; I just do not know that much about them.  

 I would appreciate any help or information, or 'tips' as to what would be a descent type of unit to purchase.. Do not want to have to spend a lot of $$$ on it, if I can help it. 

Thanks!

[ricktrains4824]

If you are using it from home, you will need to live pretty close to the line you are listening in on.... Most of the RR radios do not have a very far reaching range outside of their line, they sit repeaters along their lines to capture the transmission and repeat it to the next, so it reaches dispatchers/crews that way. If you are more than a few miles from them, most scanners will not pick up the signals. 

For a portable one, Bearcat makes some very nice ones..... Though models will vary greatly in price and receptive qualities.

[cacole]

Before considering the purchase of a scanner, there are other factors that need to be considered in order to avoid a lot of grief, expense, and disappointment:

1.  How far is your house from the railroad?
2.  Are there any major visual obstructions between your house and the railroad?
3.  The frequencies used by the railroads are basically line-of-sight, and their transmissions are rather weak.
4.  Can you see a railroad track or communications tower from the roof of your house? 

My house is 30 miles from the nearest railroad with a mountain range between me and that line, so any thought of being able to listen to railroad chatter is out of the question.

Your best bet would be to find someone who owns a scanner and ask them to come to your house and see if they can receive any railroad communications.  If not, no scanner is going to do you any good.

[Wizlish]

Just in case ... you might check to see if any of the existing streaming services have something suitable for your needs.  To get started, see these:

http://www.dpdproductions.com/page_rrstreams.html

 

[K. P. Harrier]

samfp1943 (6-7):

Hi, Sam!

Hey, throw every bit of great wisdom out the window!  This IS all you need:  Sensitivity is the key!  A sensitivity of 0.3 is better than 0.4.  Junk is 1.0.  Most halfway decent scanners that I’ve seen (or heard about) only reach down to 0.4, and you won’t be happy with that!  At last look (a few years ago) Scanner World only had two models at 0.3, and they were handhelds.  Most were 0.4 or worse, but few manufactures or sellers convey that.  The few that are sold at 0.3 are proudly said so!

Best,

K.P.

[MP173]

KP Harrier:

Thanks for the input about sensitivity.  About a year ago I purchased a Uniden BC125AT.  I also purchased a Radio Shack Handheld PRO-649.

I just looked up both...the Uniden is .2 and the Radio Shack is .5 which explains the difference between the two.  

Samfp...I would strongly recommend the Uniden model.  If you get hooked on scanning, consider purchasing an antenna specifically tuned to the radio frequency.  I have one and it is an excellent unit.  

Ed

[tree68]

MP173

If you get hooked on scanning, consider purchasing an antenna specifically tuned to the radio frequency.  I have one and it is an excellent unit.  

Sensitivity is important, but the antenna can make or break even a great receiver.

Two things to consider - tuning and elevation.

A tuned antenna will make a world of difference, especially compared to the rubber duck or the extendable kind that comes with most scanners.  Antennas tuned to the railroad band are available online, and perhaps from local dealers.

Elevation is the other key thing - you want your antenna as high as you can safely (and legally) mount it.  Odds are you won't have to deal with height restrictions unless you can afford to build a tower (200' max, except near airports) or have local restrictions.  Still, put the antenna as high as you can.

If you're handy, you might be able to build your own antenna.  Instructions for a "J pole" are available on-line.  If you can solder copper tubing (a la plumbing), you can probably build a J pole.  There are other options as well.

If you know an amateur radio operator, you might be able to convince them to help you with a base antenna.

The lead-in cable is important, too.  While RG58 will work, RG8 has less loss.  Don't forget lighting protection if you're in a lightning prone area and the antenna is the highest point of your house...

Consider, too, whether you want to listen to your local emergency services, the reason most sane people buy scanners (we railfans tend to be a bit insane, after all...)

Enjoy!

 

[MP173]

I have a very interesting antenna for one of my scanners (in the garage).  The antenna has a magnet base, so I "mount" it to an old Weber grill lid.  I then place the lid and antenna on the sloped roof outside the service door (facing our backyard).  It works.

Our neighbor said to my wife..."is that a Weber grill on your garage roof?"  Yes, she replied, "my husband is a train nerd."

 

Ed

[ricktrains4824]

MP173

 

Our neighbor said to my wife..."is that a Weber grill on your garage roof?"  Yes, she replied, "my husband is a train nerd."

 

Ed

 

Well, now..... First time I've ever been called a nerd before..... 

Guess I need to start wearing goggles and a white coat with a pocket protector when rail fanning now....

[samfp1943]

Wizlish

Just in case ... you might check to see if any of the existing streaming services have something suitable for your needs.  To get started, see these:

http://www.dpdproductions.com/page_rrstreams.html

 

 

Thanks, Wizlish !  I am going to investigate the Eric Burns site (BNSF Emporia area). I am afraid it is a little far from my area ( ie: Mulvane,Ks).  Apprerciate the tip.

[samfp1943]

K. P. Harrier

samfp1943 (6-7):

Hi, Sam!

Hey, throw every bit of great wisdom out the window!  This IS all you need:  Sensitivity is the key!  A sensitivity of 0.3 is better than 0.4.  Junk is 1.0.  Most halfway decent scanners that I’ve seen (or heard about) only reach down to 0.4, and you won’t be happy with that!  At last look (a few years ago) Scanner World only had two models at 0.3, and they were handhelds.  Most were 0.4 or worse, but few manufactures or sellers convey that.  The few that are sold at 0.3 are proudly said so!

Best,

K.P.

 

Thanks, KP and Larry (Tree68), Ed ( MP173), and others.. All Good advice, and for a ran amature ( as far as scanners go..) I do appreciiate it.  Lots of material to digest. 

P.S. Ed make sure your 'Webber' is level or your weiners will roll into the gutter!

[MikeF90]

Wizlish

Just in case ... you might check to see if any of the existing streaming services have something suitable for your needs.  To get started, see these:

http://www.dpdproductions.com/page_rrstreams.html

My favorite site to start for RR radio streams is the appropriately named:

http://www.railroadradio.net/

These other sites are useful references:

http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/

http://www.radioreference.com/

Finally, go 'whole hog' and join the ATCS Monitor group on Yahoo:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ATCS_Monitor/info

I would only recommend the latter to those of you who are comfortable installing software and poking around the innards of Windows a bit - the ATCSMon software is ........... quirky.