I’m considering buying a scanner to listen in to the traffic - and recommendations on make/model? And when I get one, where can I find the freqs for any particular line?
Well,
I suggest that if you want a new one get a bearcat, RS has all but dicontinued theirs…
If you just want a used one try the pawn shops they usually have an abundant supply of ever kind…
For freqs.,start at 160.000 and increase 15 mhz up… This should give you everthing everwhere in the USA…There is only 99 freqs they use nationwide…If Im wrong about this someone correct me…I hate to give out erronious info…If you listen to police and fire calls, those freqs are usually already in a used scanner…Get a scanner that has at least 200 programmable channels…
Hope this helps…
Alot of people buy Ham Radio Transceivers instead of radio scanners. A Ham Radio has better sensitvity than most scanners. Just to listen no ham license is required. The ham might be a bit harder to program but with the right antenna can produce some great results.
Suggestion would be Yaesu VX-150 or VX-170. Both are priced under $200, I think.
To find railroad freqs for the midwest check out a list maintained by a friend of mine
http://www.steamtrainsandtractors.com/RR_Freq_Guide.html
Keith
For what its worth, getting a scanner has been the best thing I could have done. I live insoutheast Phoenix (mesa) where the UP runs into to town and I listen often. My son and I fan and having the radio has helped make “train hunting” trips so much more succesful.
Finding about speacial movements, track down the locals, track conditions, listening to the detectors (which can tell you all kinds of train info, speed, size) hearing about service interuptions which halt any action. All of it, is great info.
Its saved us countless hours of waiting for the train that may around the corner, or hours away. Once upon a time, I had it setup in our house and we would listen… once I heard where the train was or the track warant kick out, we scramble out of the house and watch it go by. No more sitting by the tracks waiting and waiting. You will love it.
I wish I could give you more advice on which kind. I was given an old Bearcat and run it. I dont know much about specifics.
There’s no one answer to your question - unless you have extreme circumstances, pretty much any scanner will serve the purpose - a “base” scanner if you’re listening at home, a “pocket” scanner if you’re on the road. The difference is usually in the antenna. A “rubber duck” will work, but a tuned antenna will bring in a lot more signal. For a home scanner an outside antenna is the thing, if you can install one.
A quick search of the web will provide you with the complete list of AAR railroad radio frequencies. You could do worse than programming all of them in. A search for “scanner” or “frequencies” will often net you a local resource (possibly including railroad) for your area. Radioreference.com also has listings for most areas.
If you’re considering listening to public safety (fire/EMS/police) or other radio traffic in your area as well as railroad traffic, make sure the scanner you buy will handle it. Many areas use “trunked” radio, which is usually scannable with a regular scanner, but makes no sense since you can’t track the conversations.
Another caveat is the move to digital. Some railroads may be going that way, and public safety definitely is. That’s going to up the price of scanners for a while, but if you can swing it, your money will be well spent.
I also have to include my usual warning about state and local laws regarding scanners. Search for “scanner laws.” There are several sites with a compendium of applicable laws. Some areas tend to enforce them more strictly than others - including confiscation and possible fines.
I agree with Keith Schmidt, buy a ham (usually two meter band) transciever They are more sensitive than scanners. I recently bought a two meter transciever that is useable in the 144 -174 MHz carrier frequency range, and I found it is more sensitive than a scanner.
You only need to program the transceiver in the 160.215 - 161.565 MHz frequency range, setting the individual carrier frequencies 15KHz apart. For example 160.215, 160.230, 160.245…161.550, 161.565 MHz, etc.
Regardless whether you buy a scanner or a transceiver make sure it can be programmed at carrier frequencies no more than 7.5 KHz apart.
As far as I know very few states restrict the use of radios (scanners) in cars or in public that can receive police or public safety transmissions.