Railroader shooters

Vegasrails wrote in post #11434620
To answer your questions I use the VX 150 ham radio for monitoring radio traffic for different railroads i have all AAR freq added along with local PD's. It a durable and cheap radio it has been replaced by the VX 170 but many shops still carry them for under $100 US.

According to the Yaesu website both the VX-150 and VX-170 were discontinued and replaced with newer models in 2009. The VX-150 was replaced by the FT-250R and the VX-170 with the FT-270R.

I recently bought an FT-270R new for $129.99... Nice little radio.

I use a VX-150 and FT-250R. Also, for Canadians, a copy of the Canadian Trackside Guide is a must-have! It's available from the Bytown Railway Society ( http://www.bytownrailw​aysociety.ca ) for around $30.

My trackside kit is as follows:
-Canadian Trackside Guide
-Yaesu ft250r (the 270 is similar but waterproof)
-Diamond SRH77CA, I have been able to hear 30 miles consistently, often farther with this antenna on the scanner, a lot of railfans swear by it.

This setup works great for me. Only thing to be aware of is the Yaesu scanner can't pick up on end of train (EOT) devices, but with its' range you have enough notice for any movements in the area. If you want EOT devices, any scanner that picks up in the 400s will do as they only transmit 2-4 miles from my experience.

Train photography is my hobby

I just use a Radio Shack Pro-94 and a RailCom magnet-mount antenna. Nothing fancy. I spend the vast majority of the time along the CSX (formerly Conrail) line between Indianapolis and Terre Haute - something I've been doing since 1975.

humps2120 wrote in post #11524446
My trackside kit is as follows:
-Canadian Trackside Guide
-Yaesu ft250r (the 270 is similar but waterproof)
-Diamond SRH77CA, I have been able to hear 30 miles consistently, often farther with this antenna on the scanner, a lot of railfans swear by it.

This setup works great for me. Only thing to be aware of is the Yaesu scanner can't pick up on end of train (EOT) devices, but with its' range you have enough notice for any movements in the area. If you want EOT devices, any scanner that picks up in the 400s will do as they only transmit 2-4 miles from my experience.

I think people reading this need to understand that the Yaesu radios are not just scanners. They are transceivers (will transmit and receive) designed for the amateur (ham) radio VHF bands. While they won't transmit on railroad frequencies, they will transmit on the amateur bands. If the person using one does not have an amateur radio license, they cannot legally transmit with these radios.

Speaking of legality, I "think" it's illegal to carry a hand-held scanner in your car in Indiana (makes it mobile). I've never had any problems, but I'm always a little wary when I'm out watching and photographing trains around here.

stevewf1 wrote in post #11554944
Speaking of legality, I "think" it's illegal to carry a hand-held scanner in your car in Indiana (makes it mobile). I've never had any problems, but I'm always a little wary when I'm out watching and photographing trains around here.

Yes, it is illegal to have a mobile radio scanner in your car in Indiana, there are a few other states as well. Lots of sources on the net that show what states are legal and illegal. I know here in Michigan it's legal to have in the car, but it is illegal in the furtherance of a crime.

Mike30D wrote in post #11557054
Yes, it is illegal to have a mobile radio scanner in your car in Indiana, there are a few other states as well. Lots of sources on the net that show what states are legal and illegal. I know here in Michigan it's legal to have in the car, but it is illegal in the furtherance of a crime.

Five years ago, I'd combine my train-watching trips with another favorite past time, drinking beer... Well, it was inevitable and I got stopped in Plainfield and was charged with a DUI. The cops checked out my car and of course found the scanner. They asked me about it and I told them what I was using it for (train-watching). They didn't take the scanner and never charged me with having it in my car.

stevewf1 wrote in post #11560952
Five years ago, I'd combine my train-watching trips with another favorite past time, drinking beer... Well, it was inevitable and I got stopped in Plainfield and was charged with a DUI. The cops checked out my car and of course found the scanner. They asked me about it and I told them what I was using it for (train-watching). They didn't take the scanner and never charged me with having it in my car.

You're lucky

Mike30D wrote in post #11557054
Yes, it is illegal to have a mobile radio scanner in your car in Indiana, there are a few other states as well. Lots of sources on the net that show what states are legal and illegal. I know here in Michigan it's legal to have in the car, but it is illegal in the furtherance of a crime.

If you have one of the Yaesu radios, the way around this is to get a ham license. There is a written test for a license, but the questions are not hard with a bit of study.

Mike30D wrote in post #11561486
You're lucky

From the scanner standpoint, I guess so. I had more important things to worry about after that little "infraction". I still carry the scanner in the car but obviously, I don't "partake" out there anymore...

stevewf1 wrote in post #11562593
From the scanner standpoint, I guess so. I had more important things to worry about after that little "infraction". I still carry the scanner in the car but obviously, I don't "partake" out there anymore...

Yeah, I was talking about the scanner I'd be more worried about the other stuff too if I had been in that situation.