

While the type of scanner you buy is based solely on your own personal preference, we recommend buying a handheld scanner. Home or "base" scanners are typically used in one location. Home & Vehicle - Vehicle police scanners can be installed in the dashboard of a vehicle like a car radio.
Vancouver wa police scanner portable#
Handheld - Handheld scanners are portable and can be carried around like a walkie-talkie.There are two companies that manufacture railroad scanners:īoth are quality manufacturers that offer a 1-year warranty & comparable scanner models, but the two best railroad scanners are the: There are 97 channels that the American Association of Railroads (AAR) has assigned for rail communication.Īs most rail-fans will have these 97 channels programmed permanently, the remaining channel space available in your scanner will be reserved for local and regional rail channels. We recommend buying a railroad scanner with at least 200 channels available for programming, which every rail scanner we offer has:

Railroad scanners are like an AM/FM radio in that they have a certain number of preset “channels” you can program. That means that all digital scanners can also pick up analog, but you’re a smart cookie, you knew that. We discuss different frequency bands in greater detail later in Chapter 7 of this article, Railroad Scanner Frequencies.Įvery scanner we sell can pick up analog signals. Over 99% of all railroad communication can be picked up with an analog scanner. There are 4 main things to consider when buying a railroad scanner: Frequency Bands There are a lot of railroad scanners on the market and, like most electronics, you get what you pay for. It can be interesting to monitor unruly train passengers and rail yard trespassers, but that kind of action is hard to come by. Yes, even the graffiti that reveals your childlike wonder at railroad crossings. Railroads have their own police, which handle things like rail yard security and crime prevention. Listen to maintenance crews discuss things such as snow removal, general maintenance, line closures, and other issues. Railroad dispatchers are popular because you can listen to communication with all trains incoming and outgoing. Hear passing trains’ communication with one another, as the name would suggest. This is popular with passenger train listeners. You can hear conductors, trainmen, engineers, firefighters, passenger train crew members, Chief of On-Board Services, stewards, dining car attendants, kitchen staff, attendants and more. Listen to train staff communicate with one another.
