QUOTE: Originally posted by rich747us QUOTE: Originally posted by tree68 QUOTE: Originally posted by trainjunky29 2.) If I'm railfanning, and I see a locomotive with a smoking traction motor, or a freight car with a derailed wheelset, or something similar, is it permissible for me to transmit on my scanner on the line's frequency to let the railroad know? Sincerely, Daniel Parks First of all, I've never found a scanner that would actually transmit. They may generate some "birdies" (stray frequencies), but none of the scanners I've ever owned had a "transmit" button. Second (and this is not opinion), if you have a transceiver capable of transmitting on a frequency for which you are not authorized operation (which would be the case in the example you give) and transmit on that frequency, that's a violation of federal law, punishible by, among other things, a fine of $10,000. Don't get caught (which you won't if you don't do it in the first place). Use your cell phone. The number to call is posted on every crossing. I couldint agree more. Just call the number posted on, near, or around the crossing gates from your cell phone. I actually had a ligit reason to do this once. I was railfanning at the Donahue Rd. crossing in Batavia, NY, one December night back in 2002. I witnessed the passing of a eastbound intermodal and noticed that while all the lights on both the north side and south side gates turned on; the gate on the south side of the crossing did not go down. Anybody who is a regular at Donahue Rd. knows this particular crossing gate system always seems to be malfunctioning. So I walked up to the gate to get the 1-800 number, and I called. I explained the problem, and they transfered me to the Jacksonville signal maintenance desk, and I explained the problem once again. After I hung up, I went back to my car and continued to listen to my scanner. I heard NF dispatcher call the intermodal that just went through the crossing. "Uh, yeah, we had a report from a citizen (that's me! [:D]) saying the gates at Donahue Rd. didint go down when you went through. Did you see if the gates were down?" Oddly, the conductor of the train reported no problems. Hmmmm. Well, I left to go drive around and I continued to listen to my scanner. Imagine my surprise when I heard the dispatcher giving an order to protect the (Donahue Rd.) crossing to a westbound Amtrak! Cool! [:D]
QUOTE: Originally posted by tree68 QUOTE: Originally posted by trainjunky29 2.) If I'm railfanning, and I see a locomotive with a smoking traction motor, or a freight car with a derailed wheelset, or something similar, is it permissible for me to transmit on my scanner on the line's frequency to let the railroad know? Sincerely, Daniel Parks First of all, I've never found a scanner that would actually transmit. They may generate some "birdies" (stray frequencies), but none of the scanners I've ever owned had a "transmit" button. Second (and this is not opinion), if you have a transceiver capable of transmitting on a frequency for which you are not authorized operation (which would be the case in the example you give) and transmit on that frequency, that's a violation of federal law, punishible by, among other things, a fine of $10,000. Don't get caught (which you won't if you don't do it in the first place). Use your cell phone. The number to call is posted on every crossing.
QUOTE: Originally posted by trainjunky29 2.) If I'm railfanning, and I see a locomotive with a smoking traction motor, or a freight car with a derailed wheelset, or something similar, is it permissible for me to transmit on my scanner on the line's frequency to let the railroad know? Sincerely, Daniel Parks
QUOTE: Originally posted by geo19wilshire answer for the second question: If you were able to transmit on a rr frequency, expect to lose your equipment after the dispatcher finishes talking to you, the local law will pay you a visit. Depending on where you were standing at the time, you might even be in jail for tresspassing. If in doubt, dont do it.
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...
QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder Cool, where do i get one of these transmitting scanners? Adrianspeeder
USAF TSgt C-17 Aircraft Maintenance Flying Crew Chief & Flightline Avionics Craftsman
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