There is a program on RFD TV called Trains and Locomotives . It’s on at 6pm. on Mondays......... Danny should have his videos here,,,, His are way better than the videos there showing at present!
Danny, I discovered your channel less than two months ago and have damn near watched almost every video you’ve published. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the content thus far, especially your narration. A great personal touch that keeps the audience coming back for more no doubt. I look forward to all the future content! If you’re ever in Ohio, I’d be more than happy to show you around Fostoria, Deshler and hot spots on the NS Chicago Line. We also have several unique short-lines around the area that may be of some interest. Keep doing what you’re doing, us railfans sure do enjoy it. Highball!
Danny, your ability to break down a subject and make it more understanable for us rookies is very good. My first encounter was your six part video on CSX signals. Great work, keep it up!!!
Using a vehicle mounted radio was a smart choice. 30 years as a law enforcement officer I know first hand how important clear radio traffic is. Keep up the great work with your videos and thanks again for the quality.
I've got a cheap UV-5R that does rail frequencies, works great. You can also program them to lock out the transmit, so you don't talk over anyone if you accidentally hit the PTT. Your production quality is top notch, you should be narrating for discovery.
Great information. Your gadgets are remarkable. Especially critical is that you should NEVER transmit on a RR frequency or any other. I contracted as a Comm Engineer on NSRR and was a former Motorola Tech Rep and we sent a few to jail over the years for that very thing..
Been doing radio for a living for over 30 years, completely agree on not transmitting on any frequencies you're not licensed or authorized for. I use "real" radios for rail monitoring myself (Motorola MCS2000, XTS5000 and Astro Saber) and have transmit locked out on all RR frequencies. Being licensed I can transmit on ham frequencies though!
@DynoKaiser It would absolutely be better to call 911! Some random person transmitting on their frequency during an emergency would probably cause more confusion than anything else.
I knew it was wizardry and with all your experience in the broadcast field it shouldn’t be a surprise on all you do for the Emmy type entires you give us fans on this channel. Thanks a million sir...
Hey Danny, it’s Carrie from Connecticut and I enjoy your videos and I live about a mile from the railroad lines here in Connecticut and I been a real fan since I was a little girl are used to go to the ramble stations with my dad. He worked for Amtrak and it’s been an awesome adventure and I’m still enjoying it at 57 years old. Thank you for all the information you give, I look forward to more videos. Thank you.
Your gear and experience show through in every vid, among the most professional to be seen on YT or anywhere else--and always an interesting view because you always have a story to tell. Thanks for untold hours of great stuff!
Now, I'm from the younger generation that walks around with a cell phone tuned into an online radio feed, which so many people are graciously hosting across the country. But when I am not in an area covered by a feed, I carry my Yaesu FT270r with traintenna vehicle mount-nothing quite like your custom kit, but I'm glad you shared this because I had no idea you were doing all of that in the back end! As for making transmissions, I've always wondered what would happen if you saw imminent dangers, like a derailed car dragging in the middle of the train, or a vehicle stuck on the tracks with a train only a couple minutes out who wouldn't be able to get a dispatcher's message in time...
If you have a cell phone, most railroads have their 800 number listed on the RR Crossing Crossbucks. It's a little rectangular sign just under the signal lights. I always had this number in my cell phone and if I spotted anything out of the ordinary as a train passed, and I have, I call the 800 number and talk directly to dispatch. {Dispatch will ask you for the nearest Milepost #, The number on the crossbuck sign if it's a crossing signal malfunctioning, which this latter one is the most common thing they get calls about, it happens quite a bit. Or what the issue is you saw on the train when it passed by, but still need MP and other info to give them, even the street names near or by the tracks.} I actually asked dispatch about if one had a radio that could transmit on their frequencies and saw an emergency situation, would one be able to talk with the train crew or dispatch to warn them? Simple answer "NO, NEVER DO THAT. " Long answer is just like Danny Harmon stated, NEVER transmit or talk on a Railroad's frequency, doing so can get you in some serious trouble. And it could cost you 5 to 10 years in a Federal jail. So NEVER do it, call on the phone, that's the ONLY way to do it correctly, legally and stay out of what may be BIG trouble. You CAN NOT broadcast ON any Frequency set aside for RR, Law Enforcement, etc. If it's NOT what is called a PUBLIC OPEN frequency{like a CB Radio, HAM Radio is LICENSED and DIFFERENT, as are Business radio frequencies!}, then NO, you CAN NOT use it to talk to anyone, no matter what. There are some "RARE" exceptions, I've seen times when a law enforcement officer has asked a civilian to use their radio to call for help, but you have to give the officers name, badge number, car number and location, everything the officer gives you to inform dispatch of what's needed, ex. more police, ambulance, fire truck. And you'll also have to give your name and your DL or ID number as well. You also have to wait by the squad car and radio until help arrives. Then you'll be allowed to leave. Whatever you do DO NOT LEAVE the area if an officer asked this request and you complied {which you should do}. But as far as I know the RR IS and NEVER HAS BEEN an EXCEPTION! At least not to my knowledge to date.
Man... I love you... Love your setup and the way you make your videos. I, myself try and railfan as much as possible. My radio is a Uniden BC75XLT, with a Diamond RH77CA (Which I got after you recommended it in one of your videos). Thanks to you, I now can hear way more communications down here in North Miami Beach, FL than ever before!
As a fairly new railfan I recently discovered your videos, and they are top-notch! I'm also a ham operator so this video is especially interesing to me. I've got my mobile rig and handi-talky programmed with the rail frequencies (although mine won't transmit on them, which limits mistakes lol) and I listen while I'm driving, and I'm close enough to the tracks from home that I can listen to local rail traffic.
Good Job, Danny! When GSO, HPT and Guilford County, NC went 800mhz. and City went scramblwd, the TV station worked a deal, to get a "secure" base, recieve only setup. Boy did that make the assignment desk crowded! No matter, it worked well. Thanks!
Really good video, Danny. Instructive, technical, and cautionary. People new to railfanning should have to watch your videos then take a quiz. We all know how one squirrel with a camera can ruin an entire section of railroad for all of us...they'll tell crews or police "what's on their mind," then go home and post it on YT, thinking they're a tough guy. Even as a cop myself, when it came to railfanning I knew it granted me a little "trust" with rail crews, but never any "rights." Keep up the good work.
I know with radios like those you can also program not to transmit, or like a few people I know who use thiers for police and fire, program theirs to transmit on a FMRS or GMS frequency
You do know that programing the radio to hear only is going to keep you from talking as well, the kenwood NX700 is the proper radio for railroad ops, and is inexpensive to buy with programing and cable
Just discovered your channel and love it im a Train Driver from Australia having driven those old GMs Bull noses and the like, its so refreshing to hear your comments etc as they relate to the actual working of the trains and not just a video of the trains as they race past, very enjoyable from a Railway Man Down-under
Thanks for sharing, Danny - you know I was one who was requesting such a video because I wanted to see your setup but I knew it would benefit others, too. Oh, and the other CDM1550 which you sold me is working great! Definitely solid, good quality radios that outperform a consumer-grade scanner for sure. One more thing - an advantage to an NMO "hole mount" for antennas is it's easy to change the antenna, if desired - a person could run a 1/4 wave like yours most of the time but then throw on a 5/8 wave if they felt it would help them in certain situations. Great setup and I like that your install is clean and orderly.
I have to say, I always considered "rail fans" as some what nerdy. But listening and watching your videos has changed my mind, I think you are very knowledgable and have a wealth of technical facts and figures. More importantly you kind of act a a third set of eyes on the rail system, for both safety and security. An almost unpaid group of vigilant observers. Thanks for your videos.(I no longer consider you nerds by the way!)
I knew you did a ton of work on your editing so a 10 hr a day wirking siff like me can just enjoy and it's highly appreciated. Thanks for the good work and thanks for sharing
I switched from using Motorola CDM’s to a kenwood NX-700. The Kenwood out performs the Motorola by a long shot! Plus the ability to scan more than 16 channels is a huge bonus.
Yeah, I considered switching up to the NX700, but I found the range wasn't improved at all and the audio not quite as good. It's still hard to beat Motorola Audio.
I can agree with western Wisconsin rails I switched from a Motorola CDM1250 to a NX700 and I can notice the range difference big time I am using a 5/8s wave instead of a 1/4 wave your using
Hi from Pennsylvania. I’m surely glad that you have all that fancy gear. It obviously helps you with those wonderful videos you produce. Many thanks as always. CAS
I have several 2 meter HT's including a couple cheap chinese radios. I use chirp to program them for the channels used nearby. If I can't lock out transmit I program to put any unintentional transmissions out on 146.52, low power. I would not want to even have a radio capable of transmitting on railroad frequencies with me so I can't be blamed for railroad qrm from someone else nearby.
As a two-way radio technician, very nice setup. I personally use a Kenwood, they're usually easier to program and you can scan more than 16 channels at one time. The only thing to consider with your NMO style antenna is to unscrew it from the base every once in a while (maybe each year or two) and clean up the contacts on the base center conductor and the antenna connection itself. It's common for all the flexing for that contact to become "dirty" and reduce your gain. I find just a light rubbing of very fine sandpaper is all it takes. Thanks for sharing!
@@distantsignal It also appears you might be missing the rubber gasket between the roofline and the base of the antenna cup, which is a good thing to include to keep driving rain out of the headliner as time goes on. If you'd like, I'd be happy to throw one in an envelope and send it your direction as a way of thanks for the great videos! Feel free to message me.
being an amateur radio operator, there is only one exception to no transmit on fra frequencies. Life or death emergencies only. FCC rules state that in a life or death emergency transmit where ever you need to (paraphrased) also on my radios i have transmit locked out on fra frequencies.
But what if you need to warn the train crews of a situation that may involve loss of life or destruction of property? I'll bet you wished you didn't have them locked out!
It would have to be a dire emergency situation that the train crew would be able to react to such as a derailment in progress or a car stalled over a crossing, etc. While a fire at Granny's house is a life or death emergency, calling 9-1-1 is the better alternative to informing the nearby train crews. Also there are ways of alerting the train of dire situations from trackside. Waving violently at them as though you are signaling them to stop is an acceptable means. It is written in our rulebook that a person intending to signal warning to a train shall be addressed as a stop signal. 73s - KE4CPC
Absolutely correct. I would say if a car was derailed in a moving train it would qualify as a life or death emergency but Danny makes it quite clear he will never transmit so he can wrestle with his own conscious if a tank car full of LPG is derailed and he is too scared to do the right and legal thing and it ends up in an exploding, shrapnel driven fireball in a populated area. Not my concern. Enjoy
@@Arpeggioshredder honestly in that situation there's nothing the train crew would be able to do by that point anyway. The train goes into emergency braking as soon as a hose separates and that's all an engineer or conductor is able to do. The rest of the situation is on every man for themselves.
I've done it before. The train crew was *very* happy to do a controlled stop short of the crossing, rather than have granny splattered on the nose of the engine. I'd *never* transmit for anything trivial.
Nice to see an insite into your setup. I echo what you said about not transmitting. If you are going to use a Radio like you do and not a scanner, it is best to have the channels set to inhibit transmit, and don't have a mic on the radio like you do. Thanks again for all your time and effort you put into your videos I enjoy them all.
I've been binge watching all of your videos over the past few weeks (sometimes staying up all night) and I've got to tell you that you've inspired me to stop being an armchair railfan and get out there to see 'em live. I just purchased a handheld scanner and I want to get out there to hear some road talk. I live in Nashville so it seems that Radnor Yard will be my first stop. Thanks for your great videos and keep up the good work out there on the high iron! 🚂
I use a Kenwood TM-V71A in my truck. It's been mounted ever since I was a travelling engineer for my short line companies. Still there. I need new antennas and you've also given me some ideas on other equipment, Darn you!!!
Mr. Harmon: I know that this is a big country with lots of railroads and railroad history but you need to swing by Northern California while on a grand tour. There is loads of history, lots of rail traffic and lots of things to see. Union Pacific runs lots of trains over the Sierra Nevada along Interstate 80 and California 70. Their yards in Roseville, Califonia are a source of never ending fascination with lots of safe/legal viewing locations. The California Railroad Museum in Sacramento is a must see. You would be right at home. Just bring lots of SD cards and batteries. And your radios. Regards, M. Young
Absolutely awesome. I had most of my questions answered. Lot of work to produce these videos, not planning to try it but will get myself a scanner for sure. Hope to catch up with you sometime when in Florida.
Danny, your voice-overs on your videos are the best. You have such a smooth, resonating vocal quality. Consider taking in some cash by becoming a TV documentary narrator on PBS !
A lot of work is an understatement, but I appreciate your hard work. You have helped me learn more about the rails, equipment and it all piques my interest. Kudos and GREAT work!
Hey there , KENWOOD NX700 OR TK7180 WOULD BE BETTER FOR TRAIN RADIO LISTENING, YOU CAN GET RADIOS ANTENNAS AND SOFTWARE TO SET IT ALL UP OFF EBAY AND BE HEARING MORE THEN ANYONE ELSE. FREQ INFO IS ON GOOGLE AND YOU CAN EVEN ENJOY HAM RADIO 2 METER AS WELL AS FIRE RESCUE AND OTHER VHF ACTION IN AREA, FREQ KNOWN AS M.U.R.S. WILL ALLOW YOU TO TALK ON LOW POWER AND HERE POPULAR COLOR DOT FREQ USED BY WALMARTS SAMS CLUBS ETC, ITS BETTER AND OFTEN CHEAPER THEN SCANNERS ,..
In reference to transmitting anywhere.....if one doesn't have the proper license ( or authority), one should NOT transmit on said frequency ( or frequencies), this includes amateur radio, railroad, airband, fire, ambulance, city maintenance, military, law enforcement, forestry services, security services, fast food franchises, the list is endless....just to add to NOT transmitting across railroad frequencies.....and thank you for including that statement in this video.....this is KI0MX on amateur radio......
Motorola radios including the CDM series are great radios and as a side note for anyone that doesn’t want to run the risk of being blamed for something they can be programmed to not transmit. If your looking for something less expensive the Uniden BCT15X is a great scanner and can be used for base or mobile operations. I use several for military airband scanning and railroad scanning (located about 6 miles from the Selma, NC diamond) and they work well. Danny keep up the good work, your videos have always been top quality!
Awesome thank you for showing me your equipment and you are so right all the work you do in editing and audio makes your railfan videos my favorite you're one of my favorite content producers on trains keep up the great work I'm glad you're all right through all of the crazy Florida weather peace out I have a great day
Excellent video and equipment. And also a very good warning about illegal transmissions. I guess a 5/8th wave would get you a better range on those week signals, and your rig is good enough to reject any intermod. I always use a 5/8th wave on 2M when mobile. 73 WA8SDF
Well danny it's interesting to go with the moto but nexedge is out here now and KENWOOD NX700 MOBILE RADIOS CAN DO ALL WHAT THAT DATED CDM1550 CAN DO AND ALSO HEAR NEXEDGE , SAME PIN OUT OPTIONS TO RECORD AND IF YOU KNOW THAT THE RAILROAD HAS LOST CONCERN WITH PEOPLE TALKING TO THEM ON THE RADIO, ITS THE RADIO NUTS THAT CAUSE INTERFERENCE THAT ARE THE CONCERN, THERE ARE MANY OTHER VHF RADIO FREQ THAT ARE LOW POWER TRANSMIT PERMITED AND WOULD MAKE FOR FELLOW FANS TO TALK TO YOU ON, YET THAT WAS A NICELY MOUNTED ANTENNA BUT YOU NEED TO MOVE THE LUGGAGE RACK AWAY FROM IT, OR CUT IT OFF, THAT WILL CAUSE ISSUES IN RX. NOTE ON KENWOOD RADIOS YOU CAN SCAN ALL 95 ACTIVE FREQ AT ONCE , BO LIMIT TO 16, AND FREQ SPACE IS UP TO 500 FREQ PER RADIO AND CAN MAKE ROOM FOR CUSTOM BANKS BASED ON AREA, SCAN ADD DELETE ON THE FLY. RECEPTION IS VERY STRONG AS WELL.
Love your videos. I have only recently been bitten by the rail fan bug. Thank you for showing your setup as well as for your videos in the first place.
Like ur videos. Awesome. Used to be a limo driver till now that i been hired with u.p. Best choice ever working for the rr. Be safe n keep them videos coming.
I use a Uniden BCT15x scanner with a BC25 external speaker in my house(I live beside the CSX Henderson Sub.) the audio quality on with that setup is good, unless it is receiving weak signals. Better quality than a handheld scanner. However that mobile radio you use in your vehicle will last a long time, due to it being designed for mobile use.
Thanks Danny' living in Key West I don't get to see many trains. But growing up in Cleveland, right up the ridge from the steel mills, I used to watch them all the time. By the way , I love the the mile marker 0 hat.
Thanks James. I hope to get up to Ohio someday soon. That's some serious railroading. Yes, I got that hat at the Walgreens on Stock Island. Visiting my son when he was working for Sunset Watersports, I almost bought the hat downtown and he stopped me saying "Dad, that hat will be half the price on Stock island." He was right.
Glad to see some love for the Zoom handheld recorders. I've had a Zoom H1 for years (I use it for livestreaming) and I've never seen (or heard) a better stereo mic (though I expect that H4 gives mine a run for its money :)). Thanks for showing us your setup. You're inspiring me to take up railfanning with your videos. My wife might get irritated if I start spending money on it, so be prepared for a light-hearted scolding if she does! :)
Great set up Danny. Love the work you do, these videos are always so informative. Keep up the great work! Best wishes from the cold white north in Ontario!
Good video :) I use my Icom ID880-H with CSX and Norfolk Southern Channels programmed as well as bank for Railroad Scan for Channels 7-96. I label mine just like yours (i.e. CSX channel 32 = AAR 32) and Norfolk Southern channel 72 = AAR 72. There is plenty of Railroad comms up here in Richmond, VA mainly for CSX and Amtrak sometimes I will hear Norfolk Southern on AAR 72 from my work location at Bellwood DSCR. I also scan Aviation and VHF Marine/Maritime :) I also have a portable and a mobile/base scanner by Uniden programmed with the Railroad freqs. Right now, my 2014 Jeep Latitude will only allow one radio to be installed. Too much center console that can't be removed because of electrical connections, etc. I'll consider something different to allow installation. WB4UR :)
I also use a radio transceiver to monitor railroad frequencies however I am also a Ham operator so I use those radios and the beauty of them are they will not transmit on railroad frequencies only receive
As far as I know, in the U.S., you can legally listen to anything except cell phone signals. Some jurisdictions have laws against having a scanner in your vehicle, so check your local ordinances. A lot of these laws make an exception for licensed Amateur Radio operators, so read a book and get a Technician class license.
Motorola gear is great, though may be out of reach for some. An effective and affordable option that I've recommended to people is a Uniden BC125AT with a Diamond SRH77CA (and BNC adapter). This is lightweight and runs off AA batteries. If you just want to listen, it's fine. This antenna is also effective for picking up other traffic while on the Acela, though it quickly fades in the 150 mph zones. Be sure to program your Motorola gear with Rx only channels for railroad channels, or find someone who can do it for you. Retuning may also be useful if you hit problems with the squelch break on the radio. It's useful to program one button on the radio for Monitor and another to toggle tight squelch.
Another interesting and useful video from Danny Harmon. I think you have a background in broadcasting and it shows in your presentation, your voice, and your videography. Recording scanner audio to a portable MP3 recorder and then dubbing it into the video is a neat idea that I will have to "steal". Nothing wrong with quarter-wave whips. They get the job done and are a lot easier to live with than a longer 1/2 wave or 5/8 wave antenna. The extra gain from a 5/8 wave antenna might be nice, but you really aren't trying to "DX" the railroads operations that you cover. And, you've taken the time to do a permanent installation of radio and antenna which makes the whole set-up more reliable. Thanks for covering the "other end" of CSX. I'm in Indiana. Florida operations are a whole different side of CSX that I never see...except for your videos.
You always mention cool spots to Railfan, I'm not sure if trains ever run on this track or your Railfan limitations, but there's a swing truss bridge up by amelia island (about 30 miles northeast of Jacksonville) here's the GPS coordinates: 30°37'42.7"N 81°29'04.2"W it's next to a seafood place called Down Under Restaurant. If it is still operational, I would love to see you catch a train there.
Yeah, me too. That's the First Coast Railroad from Yulee to Fernandina. I've almost caught freights trains a few times, but missed them every time for one reason or another.
Always wondered what your radio set up was like. Thats for the info. I my self use a UNIDEN handheld NASCAR scanner. It works great. It has a range of about 10 miles. I never leave home without it.
"It's a lot of work, but I think it's worth it."
And so do I! Thanks!
So glad I found this channel. Your content should be on TV!
as far as i know Danny also works for a news station which is why his stuff is so professional
I think he made DVD's for some of this stuff like the CSX signal videos
There is a program on RFD TV called Trains and Locomotives . It’s on at 6pm. on Mondays......... Danny should have his videos here,,,, His are way better than the videos there showing at present!
I agree!
Danny, I discovered your channel less than two months ago and have damn near watched almost every video you’ve published. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the content thus far, especially your narration. A great personal touch that keeps the audience coming back for more no doubt. I look forward to all the future content! If you’re ever in Ohio, I’d be more than happy to show you around Fostoria, Deshler and hot spots on the NS Chicago Line. We also have several unique short-lines around the area that may be of some interest. Keep doing what you’re doing, us railfans sure do enjoy it. Highball!
hey hello from ada ohio
marc dich hello, also from northwest Ohio!
Hello from Cincinnati, Ohio
@@MisterBroadnax Go Reds! ;p
@@Thatairlinepilotguy 🙌🏾
Danny, your ability to break down a subject and make it more understanable for us rookies is very good. My first encounter was your six part video on CSX signals. Great work, keep it up!!!
Me too
Using a vehicle mounted radio was a smart choice. 30 years as a law enforcement officer I know first hand how important clear radio traffic is. Keep up the great work with your videos and thanks again for the quality.
I've got a cheap UV-5R that does rail frequencies, works great. You can also program them to lock out the transmit, so you don't talk over anyone if you accidentally hit the PTT.
Your production quality is top notch, you should be narrating for discovery.
Great information. Your gadgets are remarkable. Especially critical is that you should NEVER transmit on a RR frequency or any other. I contracted as a Comm Engineer on NSRR and was a former Motorola Tech Rep and we sent a few to jail over the years for that very thing..
Likewise, I'm a radio guy. I do radio programming and unless I see and keep a copy of some ones authority to use a frequency. I disable the transmit
Been doing radio for a living for over 30 years, completely agree on not transmitting on any frequencies you're not licensed or authorized for. I use "real" radios for rail monitoring myself (Motorola MCS2000, XTS5000 and Astro Saber) and have transmit locked out on all RR frequencies. Being licensed I can transmit on ham frequencies though!
@@davep6977 THAT disabling of the transmit function should be worth a video all by itself. Personally, I don't even own a mic for my rail radios.
@DynoKaiser It would absolutely be better to call 911! Some random person transmitting on their frequency during an emergency would probably cause more confusion than anything else.
@DynoKaiser Definitely better to call 911
I knew it was wizardry and with all your experience in the broadcast field it shouldn’t be a surprise on all you do for the Emmy type entires you give us fans on this channel. Thanks a million sir...
Hey Danny, it’s Carrie from Connecticut and I enjoy your videos and I live about a mile from the railroad lines here in Connecticut and I been a real fan since I was a little girl are used to go to the ramble stations with my dad. He worked for Amtrak and it’s been an awesome adventure and I’m still enjoying it at 57 years old. Thank you for all the information you give, I look forward to more videos. Thank you.
Your gear and experience show through in every vid, among the most professional to be seen on YT or anywhere else--and always an interesting view because you always have a story to tell. Thanks for untold hours of great stuff!
Your hard work is not in vain... I enjoy all your videos and check back almost daily for new content!
Now, I'm from the younger generation that walks around with a cell phone tuned into an online radio feed, which so many people are graciously hosting across the country. But when I am not in an area covered by a feed, I carry my Yaesu FT270r with traintenna vehicle mount-nothing quite like your custom kit, but I'm glad you shared this because I had no idea you were doing all of that in the back end!
As for making transmissions, I've always wondered what would happen if you saw imminent dangers, like a derailed car dragging in the middle of the train, or a vehicle stuck on the tracks with a train only a couple minutes out who wouldn't be able to get a dispatcher's message in time...
Yes, I see a lot of young people listening to cell phone-scanner feeds. I don't feel like I'm railfanning unless I have my own radio.
If you have a cell phone, most railroads have their 800 number listed on the RR Crossing Crossbucks. It's a little rectangular sign just under the signal lights. I always had this number in my cell phone and if I spotted anything out of the ordinary as a train passed, and I have, I call the 800 number and talk directly to dispatch. {Dispatch will ask you for the nearest Milepost #, The number on the crossbuck sign if it's a crossing signal malfunctioning, which this latter one is the most common thing they get calls about, it happens quite a bit. Or what the issue is you saw on the train when it passed by, but still need MP and other info to give them, even the street names near or by the tracks.}
I actually asked dispatch about if one had a radio that could transmit on their frequencies and saw an emergency situation, would one be able to talk with the train crew or dispatch to warn them?
Simple answer "NO, NEVER DO THAT. "
Long answer is just like Danny Harmon stated, NEVER transmit or talk on a Railroad's frequency, doing so can get you in some serious trouble. And it could cost you 5 to 10 years in a Federal jail. So NEVER do it, call on the phone, that's the ONLY way to do it correctly, legally and stay out of what may be BIG trouble. You CAN NOT broadcast ON any Frequency set aside for RR, Law Enforcement, etc.
If it's NOT what is called a PUBLIC OPEN frequency{like a CB Radio, HAM Radio is LICENSED and DIFFERENT, as are Business radio frequencies!}, then NO, you CAN NOT use it to talk to anyone, no matter what.
There are some "RARE" exceptions, I've seen times when a law enforcement officer has asked a civilian to use their radio to call for help, but you have to give the officers name, badge number, car number and location, everything the officer gives you to inform dispatch of what's needed, ex. more police, ambulance, fire truck. And you'll also have to give your name and your DL or ID number as well. You also have to wait by the squad car and radio until help arrives. Then you'll be allowed to leave. Whatever you do DO NOT LEAVE the area if an officer asked this request and you complied {which you should do}.
But as far as I know the RR IS and NEVER HAS BEEN an EXCEPTION! At least not to my knowledge to date.
Man... I love you... Love your setup and the way you make your videos. I, myself try and railfan as much as possible. My radio is a Uniden BC75XLT, with a Diamond RH77CA (Which I got after you recommended it in one of your videos). Thanks to you, I now can hear way more communications down here in North Miami Beach, FL than ever before!
Thanks Noah!
As a fairly new railfan I recently discovered your videos, and they are top-notch! I'm also a ham operator so this video is especially interesing to me. I've got my mobile rig and handi-talky programmed with the rail frequencies (although mine won't transmit on them, which limits mistakes lol) and I listen while I'm driving, and I'm close enough to the tracks from home that I can listen to local rail traffic.
I always wanted to ask about your set up, but never did. Thank you so much for this detailed look into how you pick up on the railroads operations.
That's part of why the quality of these videos is excellent. The other part is the man behind the screen. All your work is appreciated!
Good Job, Danny!
When GSO, HPT and Guilford County, NC went 800mhz. and City went scramblwd, the TV station worked a deal, to get a "secure" base, recieve only setup. Boy did that make the assignment desk crowded!
No matter, it worked well.
Thanks!
Really good video, Danny. Instructive, technical, and cautionary. People new to railfanning should have to watch your videos then take a quiz. We all know how one squirrel with a camera can ruin an entire section of railroad for all of us...they'll tell crews or police "what's on their mind," then go home and post it on YT, thinking they're a tough guy. Even as a cop myself, when it came to railfanning I knew it granted me a little "trust" with rail crews, but never any "rights."
Keep up the good work.
Many thanks, Brandon!
Removing the mic, like you have done, is a sure fire way to avoid transmitting.
Thank you.
I know with radios like those you can also program not to transmit, or like a few people I know who use thiers for police and fire, program theirs to transmit on a FMRS or GMS frequency
You do know that programing the radio to hear only is going to keep you from talking as well, the kenwood NX700 is the proper radio for railroad ops, and is inexpensive to buy with programing and cable
Just discovered your channel and love it im a Train Driver from Australia having driven those old GMs Bull noses and the like, its so refreshing to hear your comments etc as they relate to the actual working of the trains and not just a video of the trains as they race past, very enjoyable from a Railway Man Down-under
The radio is one of several elements that make your videos so professional, high quality, and enjoyable. We appreciate all your work!
I enjoy your rail coverage and sharing your methods of recording videoes.
You've definitely got some of the best & clearest radio audio of all that I've ever heard.
Thanks for sharing, Danny - you know I was one who was requesting such a video because I wanted to see your setup but I knew it would benefit others, too. Oh, and the other CDM1550 which you sold me is working great! Definitely solid, good quality radios that outperform a consumer-grade scanner for sure. One more thing - an advantage to an NMO "hole mount" for antennas is it's easy to change the antenna, if desired - a person could run a 1/4 wave like yours most of the time but then throw on a 5/8 wave if they felt it would help them in certain situations. Great setup and I like that your install is clean and orderly.
Cool I didn't know you did all that work. Makes a NYC guy like me appreciate your videos even more.
I have to say, I always considered "rail fans" as some what nerdy. But listening and watching your videos has changed my mind, I think you are very knowledgable and have a wealth of technical facts and figures. More importantly you kind of act a a third set of eyes on the rail system, for both safety and security. An almost unpaid group of vigilant observers. Thanks for your videos.(I no longer consider you nerds by the way!)
HaHaha!! Thanks Peter. I think I still might be a nerd (my wife thinks so) but I appreciate your comments.
I knew you did a ton of work on your editing so a 10 hr a day wirking siff like me can just enjoy and it's highly appreciated. Thanks for the good work and thanks for sharing
This is one of the best railfan channels out there thanks Danny for putting so much effort in to each upload
I switched from using Motorola CDM’s to a kenwood NX-700. The Kenwood out performs the Motorola by a long shot! Plus the ability to scan more than 16 channels is a huge bonus.
Yeah, I considered switching up to the NX700, but I found the range wasn't improved at all and the audio not quite as good. It's still hard to beat Motorola Audio.
Distant Signal Yes, the one thing I miss about the Motorola’s is the volume knob
I can agree with western Wisconsin rails
I switched from a Motorola CDM1250 to a NX700 and I can notice the range difference big time I am using a 5/8s wave instead of a 1/4 wave your using
Thanks for all the hard work you put into your videos. It really shows in the final product!
Hi from Pennsylvania. I’m surely glad that you have all that fancy gear. It obviously helps you with those wonderful videos you produce. Many thanks as always. CAS
I have the frequencies programmed into my Yaesu FT-857d amateur radio. It has transmit capability, but it's locked out to prevent accidental key-ups.
I have several 2 meter HT's including a couple cheap chinese radios. I use chirp to program them for the channels used nearby. If I can't lock out transmit I program to put any unintentional transmissions out on 146.52, low power. I would not want to even have a radio capable of transmitting on railroad frequencies with me so I can't be blamed for railroad qrm from someone else nearby.
As a two-way radio technician, very nice setup. I personally use a Kenwood, they're usually easier to program and you can scan more than 16 channels at one time. The only thing to consider with your NMO style antenna is to unscrew it from the base every once in a while (maybe each year or two) and clean up the contacts on the base center conductor and the antenna connection itself. It's common for all the flexing for that contact to become "dirty" and reduce your gain. I find just a light rubbing of very fine sandpaper is all it takes. Thanks for sharing!
Great advice! I will do that today!
@@distantsignal It also appears you might be missing the rubber gasket between the roofline and the base of the antenna cup, which is a good thing to include to keep driving rain out of the headliner as time goes on. If you'd like, I'd be happy to throw one in an envelope and send it your direction as a way of thanks for the great videos! Feel free to message me.
being an amateur radio operator, there is only one exception to no transmit on fra frequencies. Life or death emergencies only. FCC rules state that in a life or death emergency transmit where ever you need to (paraphrased) also on my radios i have transmit locked out on fra frequencies.
But what if you need to warn the train crews of a situation that may involve loss of life or destruction of property? I'll bet you wished you didn't have them locked out!
It would have to be a dire emergency situation that the train crew would be able to react to such as a derailment in progress or a car stalled over a crossing, etc. While a fire at Granny's house is a life or death emergency, calling 9-1-1 is the better alternative to informing the nearby train crews. Also there are ways of alerting the train of dire situations from trackside. Waving violently at them as though you are signaling them to stop is an acceptable means. It is written in our rulebook that a person intending to signal warning to a train shall be addressed as a stop signal.
73s - KE4CPC
Absolutely correct. I would say if a car was derailed in a moving train it would qualify as a life or death emergency but Danny makes it quite clear he will never transmit so he can wrestle with his own conscious if a tank car full of LPG is derailed and he is too scared to do the right and legal thing and it ends up in an exploding, shrapnel driven fireball in a populated area. Not my concern. Enjoy
@@Arpeggioshredder honestly in that situation there's nothing the train crew would be able to do by that point anyway. The train goes into emergency braking as soon as a hose separates and that's all an engineer or conductor is able to do. The rest of the situation is on every man for themselves.
I've done it before. The train crew was *very* happy to do a controlled stop short of the crossing, rather than have granny splattered on the nose of the engine. I'd *never* transmit for anything trivial.
Nice to see an insite into your setup. I echo what you said about not transmitting. If you are going to use a Radio like you do and not a scanner, it is best to have the channels set to inhibit transmit, and don't have a mic on the radio like you do. Thanks again for all your time and effort you put into your videos I enjoy them all.
I've been binge watching all of your videos over the past few weeks (sometimes staying up all night) and I've got to tell you that you've inspired me to stop being an armchair railfan and get out there to see 'em live. I just purchased a handheld scanner and I want to get out there to hear some road talk. I live in Nashville so it seems that Radnor Yard will be my first stop. Thanks for your great videos and keep up the good work out there on the high iron! 🚂
I use a Kenwood TM-V71A in my truck. It's been mounted ever since I was a travelling engineer for my short line companies. Still there. I need new antennas and you've also given me some ideas on other equipment, Darn you!!!
Hehehe : )
If you need new antennas, this is the company I use
www.tessco.com/Catalog/antennas--filter-products/mobile-antennas-mounts--accessories#first=0
Mr. Harmon: I know that this is a big country with lots of railroads and railroad history but you need to swing by Northern California while on a grand tour. There is loads of history, lots of rail traffic and lots of things to see. Union Pacific runs lots of trains over the Sierra Nevada along Interstate 80 and California 70. Their yards in Roseville, Califonia are a source of never ending fascination with lots of safe/legal viewing locations. The California Railroad Museum in Sacramento is a must see. You would be right at home. Just bring lots of SD cards and batteries. And your radios. Regards, M. Young
Mr. Harmon, you have a great set-up. Great video.
Thanks Bob
Very impressive! Thanks for sharing!
Your hard work certainly shows in the finished video. We only have 1 train here in Kitsap Country Washington and it is rarely used.
More great info thank you for sharing and warning folks about transmitting on railway channels
Absolutely awesome. I had most of my questions answered. Lot of work to produce these videos, not planning to try it but will get myself a scanner for sure. Hope to catch up with you sometime when in Florida.
Awesome Video Danny, i just got a Uniden Bearcat scanner myself, and from what you said in your last video about scanners, it was worth it
THE BEST SETUP WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!
Appreciate your Efforts.
Another great video from one of the best in the business... cheers from Melbourne Australia !
Thanks Greg!
Danny, your voice-overs on your videos are the best. You have such a smooth, resonating vocal quality. Consider taking in some cash by becoming a TV documentary narrator on PBS !
Thanks Dave! Yeah, that crossed my mind. :-))
I really appreciate all the work you put into your videos. I get excited when I see a notification for any new content you post.
A lot of work is an understatement, but I appreciate your hard work. You have helped me learn more about the rails, equipment and it all piques my interest. Kudos and GREAT work!
Your videos are by far some of my favorites for railfanning. Thanks for the hard work!!!
Wow! Now I know WHY I enjoy your videos so much. Thanks Danny . . .
Excellent! Thinking about getting that Motorola unit to mount in my truck! Thanks for sharing the details with us.
Hey there , KENWOOD NX700 OR TK7180 WOULD BE BETTER FOR TRAIN RADIO LISTENING, YOU CAN GET RADIOS ANTENNAS AND SOFTWARE TO SET IT ALL UP OFF EBAY AND BE HEARING MORE THEN ANYONE ELSE. FREQ INFO IS ON GOOGLE AND YOU CAN EVEN ENJOY HAM RADIO 2 METER AS WELL AS FIRE RESCUE AND OTHER VHF ACTION IN AREA, FREQ KNOWN AS M.U.R.S. WILL ALLOW YOU TO TALK ON LOW POWER AND HERE POPULAR COLOR DOT FREQ USED BY WALMARTS SAMS CLUBS ETC, ITS BETTER AND OFTEN CHEAPER THEN SCANNERS ,..
In reference to transmitting anywhere.....if one doesn't have the proper license ( or authority), one should NOT transmit on said frequency ( or frequencies), this includes amateur radio, railroad, airband, fire, ambulance, city maintenance, military, law enforcement, forestry services, security services, fast food franchises, the list is endless....just to add to NOT transmitting across railroad frequencies.....and thank you for including that statement in this video.....this is KI0MX on amateur radio......
Motorola radios including the CDM series are great radios and as a side note for anyone that doesn’t want to run the risk of being blamed for something they can be programmed to not transmit. If your looking for something less expensive the Uniden BCT15X is a great scanner and can be used for base or mobile operations. I use several for military airband scanning and railroad scanning (located about 6 miles from the Selma, NC diamond) and they work well.
Danny keep up the good work, your videos have always been top quality!
Great advice. Yes, my 1550 is programmed for RECEIVE ONLY so transmitting in error is never a problem.
Awesome thank you for showing me your equipment and you are so right all the work you do in editing and audio makes your railfan videos my favorite you're one of my favorite content producers on trains keep up the great work I'm glad you're all right through all of the crazy Florida weather peace out I have a great day
Thanks I have been wondering about Your radio setup and that answered a LOT of questions, And also thanks for the superb train videos as well. !!
Excellent videos and editing......
I appreciate all your hard work! Love your Mile Post 0 hat also.
Danny has hair!
Excellent video and equipment. And also a very good warning about illegal transmissions. I guess a 5/8th wave would get you a better range on those week signals, and your rig is good enough to reject any intermod. I always use a 5/8th wave on 2M when mobile.
73
WA8SDF
ditto and 73 de WA4CIF QTH is Jacksonville, FL (home to CSX)
@@jerrysinclair3771 73 es ge de WD5CBW near Chattanooga, TN.
@@dmkays 73's KN4GZX near Ooltewah,TN.
73 de KN4OIK :)
Well danny it's interesting to go with the moto but nexedge is out here now and KENWOOD NX700 MOBILE RADIOS CAN DO ALL WHAT THAT DATED CDM1550 CAN DO AND ALSO HEAR NEXEDGE , SAME PIN OUT OPTIONS TO RECORD AND IF YOU KNOW THAT THE RAILROAD HAS LOST CONCERN WITH PEOPLE TALKING TO THEM ON THE RADIO, ITS THE RADIO NUTS THAT CAUSE INTERFERENCE THAT ARE THE CONCERN, THERE ARE MANY OTHER VHF RADIO FREQ THAT ARE LOW POWER TRANSMIT PERMITED AND WOULD MAKE FOR FELLOW FANS TO TALK TO YOU ON, YET THAT WAS A NICELY MOUNTED ANTENNA BUT YOU NEED TO MOVE THE LUGGAGE RACK AWAY FROM IT, OR CUT IT OFF, THAT WILL CAUSE ISSUES IN RX. NOTE ON KENWOOD RADIOS YOU CAN SCAN ALL 95 ACTIVE FREQ AT ONCE , BO LIMIT TO 16, AND FREQ SPACE IS UP TO 500 FREQ PER RADIO AND CAN MAKE ROOM FOR CUSTOM BANKS BASED ON AREA, SCAN ADD DELETE ON THE FLY. RECEPTION IS VERY STRONG AS WELL.
Good vlog on scanners and radios. Thanks 👍👍👍❤️
Love your videos. I have only recently been bitten by the rail fan bug. Thank you for showing your setup as well as for your videos in the first place.
Your videos are always excellent. Please keep them coming.
All of that Channel 13 training has paid off. Ernie Lee would be proud ;-)
You didn't mention the most important factors Mr. Harmon. You have a very good speaking voice and you're very well spoken
very nice Danny Randy Sounds.
Interesting process, I had no idea. It does explain why your videos are just so good.
Like ur videos. Awesome. Used to be a limo driver till now that i been hired with u.p. Best choice ever working for the rr. Be safe n keep them videos coming.
It was a pleasure to hear from you again. I always look forward to your informative videos. Thanks, again.
I use a Uniden BCT15x scanner with a BC25 external speaker in my house(I live beside the CSX Henderson Sub.) the audio quality on with that setup is good, unless it is receiving weak signals. Better quality than a handheld scanner. However that mobile radio you use in your vehicle will last a long time, due to it being designed for mobile use.
Cool setup.
Thanks Danny' living in Key West I don't get to see many trains. But growing up in Cleveland, right up the ridge from the steel mills, I used to watch them all the time. By the way , I love the the mile marker 0 hat.
Thanks James. I hope to get up to Ohio someday soon. That's some serious railroading. Yes, I got that hat at the Walgreens on Stock Island. Visiting my son when he was working for Sunset Watersports, I almost bought the hat downtown and he stopped me saying "Dad, that hat will be half the price on Stock island." He was right.
this answered a few question I had on your setup. You can definitely make some fantastic productions. Thanks.
Glad to see some love for the Zoom handheld recorders. I've had a Zoom H1 for years (I use it for livestreaming) and I've never seen (or heard) a better stereo mic (though I expect that H4 gives mine a run for its money :)). Thanks for showing us your setup.
You're inspiring me to take up railfanning with your videos. My wife might get irritated if I start spending money on it, so be prepared for a light-hearted scolding if she does! :)
I agree..Zoom, like Berhinger has come a long way..First few things I bought from Zoom were cheap and awful
Great set up Danny. Love the work you do, these videos are always so informative. Keep up the great work! Best wishes from the cold white north in Ontario!
Much appreciated, Phil!
Your videos are very informative Keep up the good work
Nice setup wish i had a setup like that. Have a great day and be safe
Pro Tools does have a fully functional free version
Good video :) I use my Icom ID880-H with CSX and Norfolk Southern Channels programmed as well as bank for Railroad Scan for Channels 7-96. I label mine just like yours (i.e. CSX channel 32 = AAR 32) and Norfolk Southern channel 72 = AAR 72. There is plenty of Railroad comms up here in Richmond, VA mainly for CSX and Amtrak sometimes I will hear Norfolk Southern on AAR 72 from my work location at Bellwood DSCR. I also scan Aviation and VHF Marine/Maritime :) I also have a portable and a mobile/base scanner by Uniden programmed with the Railroad freqs. Right now, my 2014 Jeep Latitude will only allow one radio to be installed. Too much center console that can't be removed because of electrical connections, etc. I'll consider something different to allow installation. WB4UR :)
Always looking forward to the next one. Great job Danny.
I love these "behind the scenes" videos. More of this kind of thing would be great! Maybe a behind the scenes look at your drone footage?
Great videos for train lovers!! Your the Man!! Very educational and I have learned quite a bit. Keep them coming.
I also use a radio transceiver to monitor railroad frequencies however I am also a Ham operator so I use those radios and the beauty of them are they will not transmit on railroad frequencies only receive
What i thought listening was illegal. Thanks for clearing that up for me, ive always wanted to get a radio so i can listen
As far as I know, in the U.S., you can legally listen to anything except cell phone signals. Some jurisdictions have laws against having a scanner in your vehicle, so check your local ordinances. A lot of these laws make an exception for licensed Amateur Radio operators, so read a book and get a Technician class license.
Motorola gear is great, though may be out of reach for some. An effective and affordable option that I've recommended to people is a Uniden BC125AT with a Diamond SRH77CA (and BNC adapter). This is lightweight and runs off AA batteries. If you just want to listen, it's fine. This antenna is also effective for picking up other traffic while on the Acela, though it quickly fades in the 150 mph zones. Be sure to program your Motorola gear with Rx only channels for railroad channels, or find someone who can do it for you. Retuning may also be useful if you hit problems with the squelch break on the radio. It's useful to program one button on the radio for Monitor and another to toggle tight squelch.
Awesome! Nice setup.
Very cool! And your videos are among the best quality on UA-cam.
So wanted to see this Thanks Danny! Just picked up a scanner, Rh77Ca and ext antenna!
hello danny i just watched a video that you narrated titled and there was one about the 4501 it was an excellent video excellent job
Thanks Danny for your hard work. I really enjoy your videos.
Many thanks Dave!
Another interesting and useful video from Danny Harmon. I think you have a background in broadcasting and it shows in your presentation, your voice, and your videography. Recording scanner audio to a portable MP3 recorder and then dubbing it into the video is a neat idea that I will have to "steal".
Nothing wrong with quarter-wave whips. They get the job done and are a lot easier to live with than a longer 1/2 wave or 5/8 wave antenna. The extra gain from a 5/8 wave antenna might be nice, but you really aren't trying to "DX" the railroads operations that you cover. And, you've taken the time to do a permanent installation of radio and antenna which makes the whole set-up more reliable.
Thanks for covering the "other end" of CSX. I'm in Indiana. Florida operations are a whole different side of CSX that I never see...except for your videos.
HI i allways enjoy your videos iam whatching in the UK
Love your videos Danny thanks
You always mention cool spots to Railfan, I'm not sure if trains ever run on this track or your Railfan limitations, but there's a swing truss bridge up by amelia island (about 30 miles northeast of Jacksonville) here's the GPS coordinates: 30°37'42.7"N 81°29'04.2"W it's next to a seafood place called Down Under Restaurant. If it is still operational, I would love to see you catch a train there.
Yeah, me too. That's the First Coast Railroad from Yulee to Fernandina. I've almost caught freights trains a few times, but missed them every time for one reason or another.
Excellent Video! Love the setup!
Nice setup Danny
we use those zoom & tascam audio recorders in the studio at my college for audio for video production & for my audio production classes
Great job as usual, Danny.
Always wondered what your radio set up was like. Thats for the info. I my self use a UNIDEN handheld NASCAR scanner. It works great. It has a range of about 10 miles. I never leave home without it.
Thanks for the gear tour!