My Railfan Radio Setup
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- I get a lot of questions about my scanner. I began using commercial-grade radios back in 1999 when ebay was new and made it possible to buy used two-way equipment. Here's a video about my current mobile setup.
"It's a lot of work, but I think it's worth it."
And so do I! Thanks!
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
@@mattb.7464 🙌🏾
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!
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
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
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
THE BEST SETUP WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!
Mr. Harmon, you have a great set-up. Great video.
Thanks Bob
More great info thank you for sharing and warning folks about transmitting on railway channels
Good vlog on scanners and radios. Thanks 👍👍👍❤️
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.
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.
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!
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.
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 :)
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;am Your Newest Subscriber Great Videos. I Have Train Videos Too From Florida And West Virginia Very Few People Watch My Train Videos. Here In Florida It Is Against The Law To Have A Scanner In A Car
I've lived in Florida my whole life and have had a scanner in every vehicle I've owned since 1974. (I leased a truck once. Won't do that again). Have never had a problem.
This is one of the best railfan channels out there thanks Danny for putting so much effort in to each upload
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! 🚂
Wow! Now I know WHY I enjoy your videos so much. Thanks Danny . . .
HI i allways enjoy your videos iam whatching in the UK
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.
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!!!
Omg you look like Rick Snyder 😂, he’s the governor of Michigan.
I’m just kidding though, I love hearing your voice in your videos, it’s very enjoyable and relaxing to listen to.
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.
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......
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...
Your hard work certainly shows in the finished video. We only have 1 train here in Kitsap Country Washington and it is rarely used.
Very nice setup! As a UA-camr myself and a photographer, I am wondering what video equipment you use and how you go about recording the videos and editing them. Thanks for the videos and the inspiration!
Cool I didn't know you did all that work. Makes a NYC guy like me appreciate your videos even more.
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.
The railroads don't wanna hear from you" -Danny
You got THAT right!
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
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.
You are correct! If you broadcast on railroad channels you will have the big yellow FCC Vans looking for you!
You really need to be a malicious transmit issue to make that come to pass, you have a moment that theres a bus stuck on the tracks and tell me you wont key up to avoid a horrible crash then you are a useless rail fan, people dont respect the power to relay a emergency message if its needed when time matters dont need to stay and video what may happen to act innocent to a matter that may have been avoided. People can alert approaching trains if theres an emergency not to chat stupidly..no ones going to shot you for that .
Nice setup Danny
So wanted to see this Thanks Danny! Just picked up a scanner, Rh77Ca and ext antenna!
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
Excellent videos and editing......
Your hard work is not in vain... I enjoy all your videos and check back almost daily for new content!
Very impressive! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been trying to become a better rail-fan in the past month and plan on buying a scanner, but I have one problem. I don’t even know how to use it! It would mean so much to me if you could do a tutorial/walkthrough on using and listening with a scanner
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 ,..
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 :)
Nice setup:):):)
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.
you are so cool, you are very technically smart, what you produce takes time and it is work, thank you so much, i watch your videos all the time, some times i spend to much time on the dam computer but i think this is a guy thing, we just love trains, anyway from what i can see out there your videos are very well, if not the best produced, thank you again for the enjoyment you share with us,. chris.
Thanks Chris!
I have the railroad frequencies programmed into my Yeasu FT-7900 dual band radio. Haveing a ham radio license exempts me from any pesky local laws banning radios that are capable of receiving police and emergency frequencies from my vehicle. This exemption is granted by the FCC (and some states like Kentucky have that exemption under the section that bans the radios from your vehicle),. Of course; having a ham radio license is useful for so many things :-)
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.
very nice Danny Randy Sounds.
Thanks for the tips! Hopefully i too can get a scanner someday and just listen in.
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. !!
Thanks for the gear tour!
lots of good information about the radio equipment and the accessories needed. With the China virus going around it's shut down my income where I am living on "Pine Floats," A glass of water and a tooth pick!
It is actually illegal in Kentucky and Indiana to even have a Scanner without a ham radio license. Last time I had locked it is illegal to have a mobile scanner in a vehicle in Florida without a ham license.
Genius very technology base this coming from a guy who loves technology. Keep up the good work.
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
Very very cool equipment. I'll be going to East Brookfield Mass. In June. And do some railfaning. And I will have a new Samsung digital camera
Great Video!! Thank you for sharing your setup! Maybe you could do one on your camera equipment ?
Very nice setup Danny!
Great video Thanks !!!
Another 👍 video greetings from
Ceaderhill NY.nh.h Connecticut
Thanks for all the hard work you put into your videos. It really shows in the final product!
Aaah, the recipe for success. How about the drone footage mix? Love the "Video/Audio Production Room" stuff. Another informative update Danny.
Thanks from N. Ala. -The Rocket City.
I’ll add my thanks as well from Hsv Haysland Square. Your videos covering the hardware you use has been a big help, Danny.
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.
I enjoy your rail coverage and sharing your methods of recording videoes.
Awesome video! I've been wondering about your setup for a while.
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!
Cool setup.
Have you ever up in Dalton again let me know I'll show you some good places for you can find some train. N S. AND CSX.
Great work Danny, Thank you. Motorola equipment is great!
Your videos are very informative Keep up the good work
Danny. I was wondering what you use for recording the audio for your videos and now I know! I have been using a Zoom H4N for several years for music recording. My plan at some time in the future is to visit a busy rail line and yard and acquire some railroad noises. I REALLY like the H4N and consider it one of my best electronic gear purchases. Keep up the great work! We fans appreciate it!
Thanks Danny, my wife and I really enjoy and look forward to your videos. We have a lot of interest but very little knowledge about Railfanning. We’re in Palmetto half the year (a train track in our back yard) and Michigan the other half. Probably not a good idea to leave an email address here but we’d sure love to hook up with you sometime.
Kendal & Christine
Thanks, I am a subscriber and always wanted to know about that. It takes a little bit more juice to transmit anyway. The way I see it I have zero business transmitting on railroad frequencies. It's nice to know when the train is coming to get a good photo. The Federal Government is pretty serious about tapping into someone else's frequency, but there's always some knuckle head out there that thinks he can get over on the Feds. Sooner or later they screw up happens every time.
From Ontario, Canada new to railfanning just got a Uniden BC246T. Are you able to make a video how to program channels. ? Have a trackside guide. looking to pick up Canadian Pacific Railway. 160.635 and ONR 160.545.
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
I do something simular. I have a CM300, which i connect the Auxillary cable to the 16 pin, then have my aux connected to audacity and have VOX mode on.
I guess you'll be looking to add NXDN / IDAS radios to your radio arsenal since Class 1 and some short lines are migrating to NXDN / IDAS. Some short lines have gone to DMR. DMR totally different animal compared to NXDN / IDAS.
That’s awesome. I’m a low tech railfan. I watch the signals and wait. I assume you will go to folkston railwatch Saturday?
Yes, I will be there.
Shady lane north of okefenokee drive is a quiet place without formers. I’m thinking of going there myself and the drone view is good because you can get where the tracks funnel together
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.
First, thanks for the incredible videos, they are unequaled ! I acquired a CDM 1550 but am having trouble finding the programing software. Any ideas? Even a specific name would be helpful, thanks !
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.
Hello again, I just wanted to tell you the 1/4 wave Motorola antenna is the best way to go. And I will tell you why. The 1/4 antenna is about 19 inches long. That’s for the amateur radio frequency, which is 144.000 to 147.995 MHz. Now the rail road is at 160 to 161 MHz. roughly. With the 5/8 wave antenna is a little better, BUT, here’s the bad part. Being so long it has a tendency to hit, low tree branches, low ceiling in parking garages and so on. And when those long antenna’s get all bent up. They are less affective then the 1/4 wave Motorola antenna. And a 1/4 wave is much less expensive then the gain antenna. I hope this helps you rail fans that don’t have the 38 years of two way radio Experience that I have. Take care. 73
KA9LFU
That antenna is what we in the professional radio world call a 1/4 wave unity gain stinger. It can be cut to match frequency and achieve low SWR but that is irrelevant in this case because the guy is not transmitting as far as we know, He does not have a mic plugged into the radio and I assume he is a responsible man..
It's like some hams of a certain low IQ level will throw a tissy saying he does not need that radio and he should get a scanner radio or get a ham radio license.. Irrelevant..
He could have a coat hanger up there and it would receive the same as a cut and tuned whip. The 5/8 wave base loaded whips are nice but like you said, tree limbs. I work with railroads on their comms and IT systems and I used to use 5/8 whips on my SUV and they work excellent but in Louisiana with trees and shit.. Not the best thing to have on your vehicle when you have to off road to get to a detector site.. For what this guy does that little stinger is fine. He could have even opted for one of those low profile transit antennas and it work fine too.
Great videos ,
I have a question. AAR has over 2 hundred different frequencies. On what frequencies do you monitor for the Florida area. ie Amtrak, FEC, etc.
Thanks for your help.👍👌
I enjoy your videos, and I need to get a radio similar to that so I can listen when I decide to go out watching trains somewhere. I might get that audio recorder, I might not. Only time will tell, as well as money. I've never been out railfanning, but I might decide to do it at some point. Then again, I might get a job where I'm driving locomotives. I don't know for sure, but I will eventually. When I know, it'll be a good day. If I'm driving a locomotive, I'll focus on that while in operation. If I'm just riding along in one, I'll film some of the time, but I'll ask the engineer if it's okay first. Better to ask than get in trouble for no reason. If I was railfanning and a train suddenly stopped for no reason and the engineer and conductor are incapacitated, I'm gonna transmit to tell people in charge of the tracks what's going on so they can deal with the situation, but that's the ONLY reason I'd transmit on a railroad frequency, EXCEPT when I'm stuck on the tracks with no cell phone service.
Hey Danny, I got a hand held Uniden BC75XLT scanner where I could listen in to the railroads, weather, police, fire departments, so could you pm me on my gmail (you could go to it by google apps fyi) so I could talk with you about scanner stuff. Also, I live in Des Moines where UP and IAIS railroads come through, but BNSF was heavily affected by the rain storms and there tracks are submerged from Omaha to Kansas City, so BNSF coal trains and others that detour thru downtown Des Moines to Council Bluffs on Iowa Interstate on the Ex-Rock Island line from Blue Island, IL to Council Bluffs, IA.
I make sure I check all of my railroad channels to monitor only when I program my radio.
I'd like to listen too. I already have equipment that covers 1mhz to 512mhz and from 519mhz to 995mhz with a couple of small gaps. So what freqs should I listen on? I assume the signals are FM modulated? Thanks!
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!
I'd like to see a segment where you tell us about yourself, background, etc. Are you also a musician and/or recording engineer?
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.
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
Nothing wrong with using a 1/4 wave unity gain antenna... Those “Distant Signals” are not going to do you much good if you can’t catch them anyway!
Motorola has always been one of my favorite radios for years now, and I’ve got plenty of them... Unless your scanning multiple bands, I’d recommend the Motorola over a scanner any day! There sensitivity to signals is much better, and there durability and quality is much better than the average scanner...
With public service going digital these days, you can pick up old Motorola rigs for pennies on the dollar. eBay is great for this, and a lot of sellers will program the radio for free...
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.
Love to listen to rail traffic but find it REALLY hard to find the right frequencies... can you or someone following this point me to a listing of frequencies?
Dan, how do you know what frequency to listen to? I mean, I have a rail line near my house, CSX; so how do I find the frequency. With that, when do they talk? Thanks, Rich
is there any place to watch trains in pinellas?
St. petersburg at 22nd Ave near the interstate. Clearwater downtown, around the golf course and safety harbor downtown. Only 1 freight daily though.
Danny I'm in Apopka this week 4/16/19. Any suggestions where I can get some train action? Thanks