Ispolkom
Engineer
I finally broke down and bought a scanner. Is the "rubber ducky" antenna I got with my Uniden BC95XLT scanner good enough for listening on the train, or should I upgrade to something else?
This works great in a roomette!I finally broke down and bought a scanner. Is the "rubber ducky" antenna I got with my Uniden BC95XLT scanner good enough for listening on the train, or should I upgrade to something else?
While onboard trains, I've used just a rubber ducky for years and it works fine.I have found that the "rubber ducky" antenna is fine for listening to communications back and forth between the engineer and conductor, defect detectors, and when train crew communicates to the dispatcher. Sometimes you can't hear the messages from the dispatcher or other train crews, but you can usually get enough to figure out what is going on. It adds a fun element to a trip and is especially handy when there is a delay or if you want to know why you are stopped in the middle of nowhere for no apparent reason. You get to hear the fun stuff they don't always announce such as "I think we just hit a shopping cart" or "the police are going to meet us at the next stop and search the train for a runaway" Scanners can be kind of annoying to other passengers so use headphones in coach or keep the volume at a reasonable level in a sleeper. I assume if you have already bought a scanner you know about where to find the right channels and frequencies for each route but if not let us know and I'm sure someone will point you in the right direction.
The crew uses rubber duckies, so it should be good for you too.I finally broke down and bought a scanner. Is the "rubber ducky" antenna I got with my Uniden BC95XLT scanner good enough for listening on the train, or should I upgrade to something else?
They are rubber duckies but are they tuned for Amtraks frequeccies? http://www.smileyantenna.com/index.phpThe crew uses rubber duckies, so it should be good for you too.I finally broke down and bought a scanner. Is the "rubber ducky" antenna I got with my Uniden BC95XLT scanner good enough for listening on the train, or should I upgrade to something else?
Which Smiley is recommended?They are rubber duckies but are they tuned for Amtraks frequeccies? http://www.smileyantenna.com/index.phpThe crew uses rubber duckies, so it should be good for you too.I finally broke down and bought a scanner. Is the "rubber ducky" antenna I got with my Uniden BC95XLT scanner good enough for listening on the train, or should I upgrade to something else?
I have the regular Duck 2 meter from Smiley - makes railroad reception 3x better than the standard rubber duck that comes with your purchased scanner1 x 5/8 Slim Duck 2 meter antenna with BNC base connector Freq 160. I bought mine last fall. $28.65 with shipping from Smiley. I get more road crews from the house with it.
https://www.smileyantenna.com/product-p/16030.htmI have the regular Duck 2 meter from Smiley - makes railroad reception 3x better than the standard rubber duck that comes with your purchased scanner
Enter your email address to join: