Handheld Scanners for Railfanning and Issues When Listening in Field or on Amtrak

[tcwright973]

I chose the route Larry suggested a number of years back. I programmed in all the AAR frequencies in my Uniden BC125AT. Its worked well for me where ever I go. It's not always clear at first who I'm listening to, but I usually figure it out. I did have a problem a couple of years ago when a local shortline sort of went off the air on me, but it turned out they had adopted one of those in between frequencies. We enjoy listening to the scanner as much as we enjoy railfanning.

[tree68]

rdamon

Good source of frequency info ..

https://www.radioreference.com/

Indeed.  I use it regularly.

More directly, for railroads: https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?aid=7747

 

[rdamon]

Good source of frequency info ..

https://www.radioreference.com/

[tree68]

jlehnert

One warning on the scanner apps.

And another - they're going to eat up your data allotment on your phone.

In the end, a $100 scanner and some research will get you what you want to hear.

Or, you can simply program all of the AAR channels into your scanner and be able to listen virtually everywhere.  The basic set of AAR frequencies number just under 100.  

The new frequencies (another 100, more or less) are actually in between the existing channels.  I don't know that they're in common use just yet.

[jlehnert]

One warning on the scanner apps. Because of the signal is captured by a scanner and sent to a server before being sent to the app, there's a 30-60 second lag receiving transmissions when using a scanner app.  Shouldn't make any difference when listening to trains, but might if you also want to listen to police/fire. 

[desertdog]

Over the years, I've had many scanners, dating back to the days when you had to purchase individual crystals for each frequency you wanted to monitor. Since then, I've used several others. However, I recently downloaded the Scanner Radio Deluxe app to my cell phone. There are numerous online railroad scanner sites, including the UP and BNSF in my area. I find it's handier than my actual scanner, and I can synch it to the dashboard entertainment center in my vehicle.

 

John Timm

[K. P. Harrier]

Oh, bgreen58, you are asked us the impossible!  The very impossible!

You say you have a Regency … Regency was (“was”) one of the best scanners available.  You may have (“may have”) one of the scanners that had a sensitivity of 0.15

Over 25 years ago I bought a new non-Regency, and railfanning in the field I was talking with a group of railfans.  Their scanners were abuzz, mind was silent!  I found out their scanners were Regency’s with a sensitivity of 0.15, while mine was 0.4.  And mine was the standard!  Nevertheless, I returned my new scanner and got my money back.

I then bought a Bearcat with a sensitivity of “0.3” and that brought in the railroad frequencies just fine.  I still have that Bearcat and it still brings in frequencies as good as ever.

There are a few, a very few, scanners with a sensitivity of 0.3, so your search won’t be a roomful of scanners to choose from.  So, take this post as from the wise, and know your efforts on finding a new scanner that YOU like will be a very uphill battle.

[tree68]

I've never been hassled when railfanning.

In some states any scanner prohibitions are overridden by having an amateur radio license.  Not hard to get, by any stretch of the imagination, and there are some ham railfan frequencies.  And I just listened in on the ISS this morning on my base station.

Locally, I'll just use my professional model railroad radio, which has the local channels in it because we work in proximity with the Class 1, and run on the short line.

One option some folks use is to acquire a transceiver designed for amateur radio.  The HUGE caveat there is to ensure that you lock out any possibility of transmitting on any frequency you are not licensed to operate on.  Such radios can be programmed using a computer, which gives some ability to group and label frequencies in a convenient manner. You can also "hand jam" frequencies in the field.

Many such radios do scan.

I have a couple of RS scanners, but they generally only get used when I travel.  One does trunking, necessary for listening in some locales.  So I can't recommend any specific model.

Many of the scanners are virtually the same inside anyhow.  Consider investing money in a better antenna, if anything.

[NP Eddie]

bgreen58:

Be sure to check in your home state as to scanner laws and what you can and cannot listen to legally. I live in Minnesota and Minnesota Statute 299C.37 is very clear as to who and cannot legally listen to police calls in a car. It does not adddress fire or railroad radio. It is my opinion that if you have a camera, tripod, and a scanner progammed to only railroad frequencies that you may not get stopped. If you are stopped, please be polite and tell the police (railroad or other agency) the purpose of you filming and listening. Again, this is my opinion and not gospel. You may be wary of urban areas unless you are on a bridge or other very public area.

Ed Burns

Retired professional railroader.

[bgreen58]

I'm looking to upgrade my handheld scanner (Regency) that I've used to monitor railroad radio communications along with other public service agencies.  I'm curioius in knowing what railfans are using today as their go to handheld scanner, along with any specific antenna configuration, and if you've experienced problems railfaning with your scanner in the field by being stopped and questioned by either railroad personnel or local community authorities. I realize that some states have scanner laws but am asking whether or not in this day and age if railfans with scanners are being questioned more about their intentions when watching and photographing trains along the right-of-way.  Thanks.