Guys,
I’m intested in getting a scanner for railfanning. I want to know who out there has one, what kind, and where did you get it. What did you pay for it and is having one make the difference?
I usually go with the cheap radio shack ones. Mainly because if it gets damaged I’m not out that much money (I am hard on scanners). You can get one for under $100. They make a big difference in railfanning. You hear all kids of helpfull info. Defect detectors to let you know when something is comming. Dispachers will sometimes give train lineups to track maintainance guys. And when something goes wrong you can usually get a lot of info over the radio. It helps to be able to figure out what they are talking about with a Altamont press timetable, but get it while you can because Rob Carlson recently died and unless someone else picks up the ball they will be history.
This topic comes up from time to time – gee, I wonder why?
Here’s one of those linkie-things to the most recent discussion:
Why do you wonder why?
I have three scanners…all Radio Shacks:
PRO82 which is a hand held. Lists for $100, on sale at times at $85. Range is limited. However, I hook it up at home at times with an antenae and get great reception…up to 25 miles at times.
PRO2017 which is a table model. Also about $100, it can hold up to 200 channels and has a range of about 10 miles.
Radio Shack ______. The third scanner is probably 10 years old and does not have a model number on it but is similar to the PRO2017. It has the same range and capabilities of the 2017.
Funny thing is that I can have all three hooked up in different areas of the house and will get certain conversations on one, but not the others. For example, one scanner will pickup the NS Chicago District dispatcher, but the other one will not. Go figure!
I highly recommend scanners. It gives you an insight to the railroading operations that one otherwise would not have. Here in NW Indiana the CSX and NS trains call out the signals, so one knows what train is where. The conversations between dispatchers, trains crews, and ROW/Signal crews are interesting.
Just remember, with a handheld, your range is very limited.
ed
I would also say get a cheap one from Radio Shack. For the price they work just fine.
Bert
Think of it as a good thing - new people are getting interested in chasing trains!
I’m sure it’s in the thread PZ posted, but I’ll hit a couple of high points -
A programmable scanner with 100 channels is all you will ever need, and the $100~ Radio Shack models (or Bearcats, if you can find them) are perfectly acceptable. Spend more if you like, but unless you will be listening to trunked public safety radio, don’t bother with a trunking scanner.
Two common caveats - If you are using the scanner mobile, get a decent antenna, tuned for the RR band (not a bad idea at home, either).
Second - If you are planning on using the scanner mobile, be aware of the scanner laws in the states you’ll visit. Nothing can ruin a railfanning trip like some time talking to the man…
The frequencies are easily available on the Web. Enjoy!
Zak:
Definitely get a scanner. As others have pointed out scanners help railfans to find out what is going on. I have a Uniden Bearcat BC 100XL which while it is sensitive I can’t use it too frequently because its Nicad battery doesn’t hold its charge too long, and I still have not been able find a replacement battery. I also have a Radio Shack scanner which is more compact, but I don’t think it is quite as sensitive as the Bearcat Scanner, but one of its advantage is I can run it on NiMH rechargeable batteries.
A book that will help you to understand scanners especially how they operate, and their limitationsis “Railroad Radio” by Vincent Reh, and it is published by Byron Hill Publishing Company in Grand Isle, VT.
While a 100 channel scanner is all that you will need most scanners have a minimum of 200 channels. If possible try to get an antenna tuned to the 161 MHz range it may help you to pull in train communications farther away. Also don’t bother to monitor the end of train devices because they are not that powerful, and by the time you hear them chirp the train is either very near or it is passing.
Most railroad lines are protected by wayside defect detectors which scan the train for hot boxes or dragging items, and most of the detectors will announce their location, and train status after the last car of the train has passed although a few railroads’ scanners might only only sound-off if it spots a defect.
Rudy.
I was simply being facetious. [swg]
As a former fireman, I have a scanner in my truck that’s on 24/7 – just so I can be nosy. What do they say? You can take the man out of the firehouse, but you can’t take the firehouse out of the man…
For me to punch in the RR frequencies was a natural.
My advice – get one with at least 500 channels. You won’t be sorry.
The trains.com Fire Brigade just keeps growing!
Some snazzy uniforms we got there, huh! Too bad Sarah missed the photo session…
I use my Hand held Pro95 for just roaming around. My Pro92 gets used in my Truck with my Railcom Antenna. And one more thing. If you just want to use your Hand held. I would strongly get an Antenna that is tuned to the RR band. http://www.railcom.net Just the stock Antenna doesn’t do a good job alone when it comes to picking up RR signals. Allan.
I picked up my Bearcat BC92T Handheld scanner at Wal-mart for $100.00. 200 channels and more features that I can use. Very helpful railfanning tool. You can find them a little cheaper online but then you have to wait and pay shipping. so maybe it’s not cheaper.
I was told by the local radio guru that Uniden/bearcat scanners are the leading radios to have. depending on location and weather conditions I can pick up 10+ miles away with the standard antenna.
if i’m in the car I have found that holding the antenna out of the sunroof seems to help.
Good luck
Later Bill
I would vote for the BC92 as well… It’s a good basic scanner and affordable. Dave http://www.dpdproductions.com - Featuring the TrainTenna Railroad Radio Antennas -
I don’t know about now, but all Radio Shack scanners a few years ago were made by Uniden, just like their radar detectors.