Rail radios

[M60lad]

Out of interest when train radios go digital will there still be anyway of picking up the broadcasts, I haven't got a scanner myself but its always something I've thought about having.

Other reason why I ask is I think First Manchester & Stagecoach Manchester's Bus Radios are digital and was wondering is there a way of picking these broadcasts up

 

[bengley]

At Euston we recently switched to digital radios. As far as I know the only way of picking the communications up is by having one of the radios as the feed is encrypted.

 

[CosherB]

They may be rare but someones keeping a record of them

Some non-RT ones in there. Here's one of my favorites from a few years ago:


The early Boeing 737s were short and dumpy and somehow gained the nickname of "the Dormouse".

Heathrow Ground :
"Speedbird 345, Taxy via the inner to hold Bravo, and if you can get past the Lufthansa Dormouse already at Bravo, you are number 1 for departure"

"Roger, Speedbird 345 taxy via the inner to Bravo, number 1 in front of the Lufthansa Dormouse, Speedbird 345".

"Ground this is Lufthansa 800"

"Lufthansa 800 go ahead"

"We wish you to know that Lufthansa 800 is a Boeing 737 200 of Lufthansa, the national airline of Germany - and we do not wish to be referred to as a Dormouse"

"Lufthansa 800, Roger".

A little while later -
"Lufthansa 800 Ground - after the departing Speedbird line up and wait runway 28 Right. After departure, SQUEAK 2366, your departure frequency will be 119.725 - contact tower now on 118.5"

Silence came the reply .......

 

[Nym]

I do remember a rather fun conversation once, have to remove some bits and add some info to give context...

ACF Training Excersise...

I was Zero Zulu running on two radio networks, the private frequency of 21Plt. We ran on the VHF Combat Network for our private net, and on the HF Safety Network, HF sets where carried by Zero (Signalling OC) and Subnet Zeros at Company or Platoon level, used to call in casevacs etc since mobile phone signals where hard to come by and the HF kit we had could get a signal back to the south of france if set up correctly. The other HF sets where 0A, A10, A20, A30, 0B etc. I was also listening in (at that time as I knew they where patroling) to the frequencies of Bravo and Charlie Companies... Anyway, the conversation went something like this...

(Remember: VHF = Combat Network, HF = Safety Network)

VHF/C:
C23: Hello 0C TI C23 Over
OC: 0C Over
C23: Casevac required, errr, we have someone had fallen over and ...CUTS OUT...
Paredigm
U/I: *giggling and heavy breathing* Over...
0C: 0C C23 Say again and Unidentified get off the net Over.
C23: C23 Casevac, cadet broken leg (Different voice) Over
0C: 0C Say location Over
C23: [GRID REFERENCE] Over
(At this point I'm checking this on the map to see if we're close to assist, the grid ref is in the English Channel)
0C: 0C C23 Say again over
C23: 0C Wait Out Over

(Me) 0Z: Hello 0C and C23 this is 0Z Please check your grid , I am unaware of any Zodiac operations. Advise 0C to notify 0F via HF of Casevac Over.

HF:
0Z: Hello 0F and 0 this is 0Z Relay Casevac 0F Ack Over. (Yes, I knew what I was doing...)
0F: 0F Over
0Z: 0F Be advised grid unavailable, current available grid from C23 is in English Channel, will investigate by inteligence over
0F: Rodger Out.

VHF/Z:
0Z: All stations this is 0Z any inteligence as to the location of C23 report immediately, casevac required.

VHF/C:
C23: 0C Unable to locate grid, assistance required. (The person trying to get this grid reference is a trained instructor at this point)
0C: Roger Out
0Z: Hello 0C this is 0Z relaying from 0F what is last known location of C23 over
0C: Errr... 0Z I think the're on the road out of camp, saw them off about 3 hours ago and what you doing on this frequency?
0Z: 0Z Roger 0C, I am conducting the jobs of 0C and C23 as they seem incapable, out. (Out = no response)
C23 & 0C continue chatting away about me, not their casualty!

VHF/Z:
Z20: 0Z T/I Z20 Ovr.
0Z: 0Z Ovr.
Z20: Have located C20 through C24 HF Set Present, Grid XXXXXX, Request immediate vehicle extract, cadet unable to walk.
0Z: Will relay, over.
Z20: Rodger Out.

(Instructed one of our drivers and medics to head out immediately in a 110, was less than 2 mins away)

HF:
0Z: Hello 0, 0F and 0C T/I 0Z, Z20 has located C23 at XXXXXX, assistance on route. I say again, have located C23 assistance on route. 0F Ack. Over.
0F: Roger, we're ready, out.

VHF/C:
0Z: Hello 0C, C20 and C23 this is 0Z, we have found you, assistance is on route, a report will be filed with your CO. Out.

VHF/Z:
0Z: All stations T/I 0Z Cas Found, out.

VHF/C:
At this point I start getting abuse down the headset from the charlie net, they didn't have radios again for the rest of the oppo, and where provided with one of my team in each platoon for safety. Sections could not be out of LOS with the platoon I/C.

Anyway, you're all lost in that so I'll leave you to work out why this was actually funny (well to me it was anyway)

 

[rf_ioliver]

I guess this applies here. OFCOM produce a leaflet explaining the law regarding listening to broadcasts such as air traffice control:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ra/publication/ra_info/ra169r7.pdf

to quote:

Although it is not illegal to sell, buy or own a scanning or other receiver in the UK, it must only be used to listen to transmissions meant for GENERAL RECEPTION. The services that you can listen to include Amateur and Citizens’ Band transmissions, licensed broadcast radio and weather and navigation broadcasts. It is an offence to listen to any other radio services unless you are authorised by a designated person to do so.

t.

Ian

 

[Maxfly]

Err, not quite. There is a CAA publication on RT (Radio Telephony) procedures and practices for aircrew about 100 pages which has to be learned. There is then a written and a simulator practical test (including corectly handling in flight emergencies - one's own and those of others) on that extensive publication.

Then you start to learn how to do it in the real world of air traffic control! It's always conducted in a highly professional manner; CB it aint!

Of course a train crew does not have the same reliance on RT as a flight crew who can't function without it, so I wouldn't expect them to have to work to those standards. That's not to disparage train crew as it's not a vital part of the job. But I wonder why one would want to listen- in?

The vast majority yep you are right but there is still RETB and that is going to be around for a quite a long time yet
I do think that RT between train crews and signallers will increase with GSM-R coming in as right now very little to no easy contact between the two makes it harder

 

[TDK]

The vast majority yep you are right but there is still RETB and that is going to be around for a quite a long time yet
I do think that RT between train crews and signallers will increase with GSM-R coming in as right now very little to no easy contact between the two makes it harder

I dissagree, why would there be more contact? CSR works reasonably well and tbh there isn't really a lot of difference between GSM-R and CSR communications wise

 

[CosherB]

Aviation RT is probably going to be supplemented, and then perhaps replaced, by data links rather than voice comms for clearances etc, at least for IFR traffic. That's a pity for anyone trying to listen in (I can legally; I'm licenced!).

This afternoon visibility at Manchester has been as low as 200m so Low Visibility Proceedures are in place with some aircraft unable to make an approach and remaining in the hold hoping for improved RVRs, or commencing an approach then having to break off and divert on the RVRs going below minimums.

The RT can be supplemented by a radar view on http://www.flightradar24.com/

 

[Maxfly]

I dissagree, why would there be more contact? CSR works reasonably well and tbh there isn't really a lot of difference between GSM-R and CSR communications wise

Probably because CSR is not nationwide, in fact no area in any of the boxes I have worked has had CSR..maybe the minority of course but the amount of times I wish I had direct contact with a driver means the sooner I have GSM-R with me again the better

 

[BestWestern]

[Deleted]