NarrowBand Radio Frequency Changes

[cbehr91]

There are a couple lines near me that have switched to narrowband, with a few more coming in July, and the difference between wide and narrow is so slight it's barely noticeable.

[lakeshoredave]

will this have any effect on railfanning for me? i have a railcom antenna with a radio shack pro 76 scanner.

[cbehr91]

will this have any effect on railfanning for me? i have a railcom antenna with a radio shack pro 76 scanner.

No.

[hoborich]

What's a railcom antennae?

[~Z~]

This is a Railcom antenna:
http://www.railcom.net/railscan.htm

I'd also suggest looking into these models if you want a good antenna out of the box: http://www.dpdproductions.com/page_traintenna.html

[conrailmike]

This is a Railcom antenna:
http://www.railcom.net/railscan.htm

I'd also suggest looking into these models if you want a good antenna out of the box: http://www.dpdproductions.com/page_traintenna.html

I can personally vouch for the Traintenna mobile antenna, that's what is on top of the car. Good antenna, very good reception at quite a distance too.

[NYC3001]

I understand that Norfolk Southern, will be changing their Lake Division over to narrowband modulation on October 5, 2011. This includes the Detroit Division along the old Wabash mainline. On a related note, Canadian National, will be switching their radios on the old Grand Trunk Western on November 15, 2011. This changeover includes all CN lines in the Great Lakes region.

Ron

[hoborich]

So does this mean we just have to turn up the volume?

[cbehr91]

So does this mean we just have to turn up the volume?

If you don't have a narrowband radio, yes.

I have an Icom amateur handheld radio, which I realize isn't exactly your run-of-the-mill scanner, but I reprogrammed the railroad frequencies to narrow (the radio has both a narrow and a wide mode), and the audio is slightly louder and crisper and clearer. It also seems to help selectivity as well.

Lastly, I also can vouch for the Railcom "Railgain" antenna. But if you want to do one on the cheap you can pick up a 2 meter antenna for less than $20 a lot of the time and cut it yourself. You just need to know the proper length and a pair of wire cutters.

[hoborich]

You just need to know the proper length and a pair of wire cutters.

It's all in the tuning.

[M.D.Bentley]

This past Monday 9/12, Conrail started switching over to narrowband. I still have not noticed any difference, yet.

[SD80MAC]

Supposedly CSX is switching to narrowband either this week or next.

[cbehr91]

Supposedly CSX is switching to narrowband either this week or next.

Some lines already have, but I think the Garrett and Willard Subs and probably the Terminal are switching soon.

[sd70accsxt700]

Willard to Chicago IIRC is already done, there was a division bulliten about it not to long ago.

[esprrfan]

Dearborn & Pittsburgh Div are already switched over too

[CSX Q109]

Anyone happen to know what day that csx will change over to narrow band on the willard sub?

[railohio]

Anyone happen to know what day that csx will change over to narrow band on the willard sub?

Two posts above yours says it's already done.

[BL2-1843]

All CSX Radios on the Chicago Divivision, including Grand Rapids I guess, is to be switched over to narrow band at 09:00 Thursday, 9/22/11.

[CSX Q109]

I should had ask if any one knew what day csx would cahnge over and star to use it on the willard sub.

[sd70accsxt700]

Willard sub is already done.