Handheld scanner for dummies

I listen on line

http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/coid/1/rail

Hi Turtle - Maybe these would help you.

Using a Scanner for Railfanning - Part 1

Using a Scanner for Railfanning - Part 2

I will use this in the car and such.  Not at home.

Phoebe Snow Route posted:

Hi Turtle - Maybe these would help you.

Using a Scanner for Railfanning - Part 1

Using a Scanner for Railfanning - Part 2

Good videos.  I am looking for one on features and such too.

If you would like to, please subscribe to the Distant Signal on Youtube.  I don't know him personally but he does put out a lot of great/education videos on real train operations.  He may do a part three for scanners.

I do exactly what you want to do with my BearCat 200XLT by using the search function instead of scan in the range 159.810 to 161.565 MHz. 

However, this is a lot of ground to cover, searching through many frequencies that are unused in your area, and you will miss replies while searching the entire band before coming back around to the active channel again.  I have found it much easier to program the scanner(direct entry, very easy) in geographical groups by bank(the 200XLT has 10 banks of 20 channels each). You can switch on/off each bank of frequencies as you travel.

There is an advantage in searching:  You don't have to listen to the carmen's channel in a yard or other railroads nearby the one you are standing next to.  There are several on-line and printed lists of frequencies used in your territory.  You can Google them.  Also, employee timetables list the radio channels for each Subdivision.  Google Carl Loucks.  It isn't really that hard to enjoy your scanner.  Proper preparation prevents poor performance.

If I am trying to listen to traffic on the BNSF former FW&D to photograph approaching trains, I don't want to hear the hotbox detectors on the nearby BNSF former Santa Fe transcon.  If you don't just want to sit in one spot and take wedge photos of whatever trains come along, a scanner is an asset for rail photography, because you can tell where trains are by their transmissions (and the locations of defect detectors which announce a passing train) and sometimes where the Dispatcher has set up a meet between opposing trains.

What scanner would you guys recommend.  Is the Baeofeng garbage?

I HAVE THREE RADIO SHACK SCANNERS I USE IN MY VEHICLE AND AT HOME FOR RAILFANNING.

THEY ALL WORK WELL. CHECK EBAY FOR USED SCANNERS - SOMETIMES YOU CAN FIND A GOOD BUY - ONLY PROBLEM BEWARE OF SOMEONE DUMPING A "LEMON."

I too am looking for a scanner. I am searching ebay for a Uniden which I know well.

Bob C.

TurtleLinez posted:

 Is the Baeofeng garbage?

No, it's just very specialized. I find it very easy to program with the PC cable(the software is free). I have 3 batteries and three antennas for my Baofeng depending on where I'm going with it.

It has 128 programmable channels, so you can get all FARR frequencies programmed into it, but the scanning speed is very slow. Although it is transmit capable, this can be shut off in the programming. Programming from the keypad can be arduous, it is not very intuitive but doable. There are online tutorials/manuals that simplify the programming immensely.

Is it worth the $30? All day long!

Otherwise, a 100 or 200 channel Uniden or AOR scanner is fine for RR monitoring. Newer/better models will have faster scan/search speeds, charging options, etc.

Would this be a smarter purchase?  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Uniden...e:g:YMcAAOSwQjNW9LPA

That would be perfect and even better priced HERE. It also has a railroad service search function built in - you're ready to go!

I just ordered one. thank you to this thread.

Bob C.

ADCX Rob posted:

That would be perfect and even better priced HERE. It also has a railroad service search function built in - you're ready to go!

So basically, I can pull into a railroad area, hit some sort of railroad search button and it will pick up the chatter?  It scans all RR frequencies in the USA?  If so, that would be perfect.  P.S. Can you tell I do not know anything about this?  LOL.

Yes.

Read the manual here... page 19 starts the discussion on service searches.

But is it set up for the narrowband FM the railroads now use?

I ordered this scanner.  Use coupon code 50BRANDS and they take $10 off.  You have to buy a small item to get the price over $50.  I bought some $3 hangars.

Total $46.

http://www.shopko.com/catalog/...canner+3000+Channels

that one is a real bargain. I payed 99.00 for mine

Bob C.

Robert Coniglio posted:

that one is a real bargain. I payed 99.00 for mine

Bob C.

 

I do not have a shipping confirmation yet.  We'll see....

I have the tracking number.  I was sweatin' it.  They are now out of stock.

Dominic Mazoch posted:

But is it set up for the narrowband FM the railroads now use?

If it isn't, it shouldn't make a difference for most areas. I use a wideband 200XLT and it works perfectly.