Train radio/scanner

[surferguy]

I’m out of my knowledge sphere here. My son wants a radio scanner to listen for trains in and around the Calgary area.

I’ve looked briefly online and the one suggested by the railfannering community is the unidentified bearcat 152. It’s $186 on Amazon. I don’t want to spend that kind of money. I see other scanners/ham radios that are around $50-$80.

Would that work?

Edit: looking for a handheld unit

Somebody must know this type of info around here.

Please help

[Fuzz]

You need to talk to our mutual friend, Mr S. I'm sure he has some surplus for you, or can guide you in the right direction.

[DownInFlames]

There are steams available online. http://www.railroadradio.net/content/view/272/315/

[bc-chris]

i have a couple of these for my trucks: https://www.amazon.ca/Uniden-300-Cha...79&sr=8-6&th=1

i also have a couple of handhelds that work great (we use them to listen in on fire/ambulance/forestry mostly. sometimes the airport)

do you know the frequencies you want to monitor? if so, just make sure the scanner you're looking at will pick them up.

does he need it right away or can it wait until black friday/cyber monday - you'll likely save a bunch if you can wait. scanner prices can have big swings - the one i posted above is at almost $184 right now - it will go as low as $115 at times

you can use this webpage to watch for price changes on amazon. it works great! https://ca.camelcamelcamel.com/

as long as the scanner has half descent reviews it will probably do the job - so no need to break the bank. make sure it comes with a plug-in for the wall unless you have a surplus of AA batteries - ha!

[Tron_fdc]

I use a Baofeng 2 way when I’m sledding. Super powerful and you can get all the channels on it (fire, police, ski patrol etc). It’s legal to monitor but illegal to broadcast on these channels.

Less that $100 and they come locked so you can’t broadcast. To unlock them you need software and an adapter (and a license I believe).

Pretty handy to monitor ski patrol on a powder day.

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by bc-chris

i have a couple of these for my trucks: https://www.amazon.ca/Uniden-300-Cha...79&sr=8-6&th=1

i also have a couple of handhelds that work great (we use them to listen in on fire/ambulance/forestry mostly. sometimes the airport)

do you know the frequencies you want to monitor? if so, just make sure the scanner you're looking at will pick them up.

does he need it right away or can it wait until black friday/cyber monday - you'll likely save a bunch if you can wait. scanner prices can have big swings - the one i posted above is at almost $184 right now - it will go as low as $115 at times

you can use this webpage to watch for price changes on amazon. it works great! https://ca.camelcamelcamel.com/

as long as the scanner has half descent reviews it will probably do the job - so no need to break the bank. make sure it comes with a plug-in for the wall unless you have a surplus of AA batteries - ha!

With my intro research I’ve found this list of frequencies.

Seems like Alyth yard tower is running on 161.875

CP Rail Frequencies

Thanks for the tips about watching the prices. That’s good to know. I think he’d like to move on a unit sooner rather than later, he’s keen to spend his newfound birthday money! Lol

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by surferguy

With my intro research I’ve found this list of frequencies.

Seems like Alyth yard tower is running on 161.875

CP Rail Frequencies

Thanks for the tips about watching the prices. That’s good to know. I think he’d like to move on a unit sooner rather than later, he’s keen to spend his newfound birthday money! Lol

This seems kinda random... but I seem to recall seeing a bunch of walkie talkies and radios at thrift stores in the past. They were selling for cheap because the thrift stores couldn't move them. I wouldn't be surprised that radios like these aren't things that thrift stores are truly aware of that have decently high value but low market (unlike things like obvious things like cameras)

For fun, maybe make it a project to go with your son to scope out these places for a few months to look for something for ultra cheap? If he cannot find one within a certain time frame, you surprise him with a brand new one?

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

I use a Baofeng 2 way when I’m sledding. Super powerful and you can get all the channels on it (fire, police, ski patrol etc). It’s legal to monitor but illegal to broadcast on these channels.

Less that $100 and they come locked so you can’t broadcast. To unlock them you need software and an adapter.

Another vote for baofeng. The adapter cables are cheap and the software is a free download.