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radio frequencies

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ralphchadkirk

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If you mean NRN and CSR then they are definitely secured. Radios used for things like shunting are also likely to be on private scrambled frequencies.
 

DaveNewcastle

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The general information about frequency allocations (along with modulation types, permitted radiated power, channel widths, etc.) for radio frequencies used on the Railways can be found on the Offcom website.
If that wasn't detailled enough for your purposes then I would be wonderng why you wanted to know.
 

Trainspotmatt

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The general information about frequency allocations (along with modulation types, permitted radiated power, channel widths, etc.) for radio frequencies used on the Railways can be found on the Offcom website.
If that wasn't detailled enough for your purposes then I would be wonderng why you wanted to know.

im just curious and wanted to know if they could be tuned into or not for my use only nothing more.
 

Tracked

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the local main station to me can be picked up on 453.55mhz, from memory there is/was in cab frequencies around 205-207mhz, if that's any help
 

big_dirt

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Is there any reason why an enthusiast should not listen in?

When I was younger I used to have a flight band radio which went up beyond 108FM. I was able to listen to air traffic control and also some police frequencies.

As I grew up in Belfast, I used to get the radio out when there would be bombscares in town.

Anyway, I can understand the police wishing to have secure communications but why the railway?
 

michael769

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Is there any reason why an enthusiast should not listen in?

No practical reason other than that with the advent of digital communications it is largely becoming technically impossible for the amateur.

As recently is the 1980s it was possible to listen into the fire and police radios with nothing more exotic than a FM radio receiver - the world did not end and criminals did not have a field day.
 

wintonian

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Indeed, I belive it is common in the states for people to listen into the railroad frequences, and they can be listened to online, which would be illegal to do here.
 

jopsuk

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No practical reason other than that with the advent of digital communications it is largely becoming technically impossible for the amateur.

As recently is the 1980s it was possible to listen into the fire and police radios with nothing more exotic than a FM radio receiver - the world did not end and criminals did not have a field day.

Though they've alll moved to ever more secure systems- and obviously the railways are shifting to GSM-R now.
 

michael769

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Though they've alll moved to ever more secure systems- and obviously the railways are shifting to GSM-R now.

The move towards secure systems was driven more by the long term desire to transmit data along with voice. Once one starts to transmit data the nature of information being transferred changes, and the need for security increases. Few would be comfortable with the idea someone with a scanner being able to obtain a complete copy of all their personal details including medical history!

Likewise GSM-R is a prelude to the long term goal of cab signalling, and we most definitely do not want folks to have the ability to control a train's signals with something bought out of Maplin!
 

Safety365

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im just curious and wanted to know if they could be tuned into or not for my use only nothing more.

Even if you could tune into the Cab Secure Radio, you wouldn't be hearing much of interest.

Example:

Driver: Good Morning Signaller, This is the driver of One-Whisky-One-Five (1W15) currently at a stand at Whisky-One-Two-Three on the Down Main Fast on approach to Clapham Junction.

Signaller: Good Morning Driver of One-Whisky-One-Five, This is the signaller of Wimbledon panel number one, area four-zero. The reason I've stopped you at Whisky-One-Two-Three is because of a track-circuit failure....

-------------------------------

At this point I have lost the will to carry on. You will not hear boring conversations like this. If you were able to hear these conversations, you wouldn't be hearing them very often. Unlike commercial aircraft, we rarely need to talk to the signaller. Obviously aircraft talk to Air Traffic Control, not a signaller...

If you want to use your radio to listen to something interesting, may I recommend BBC FiveLive
 

starrymarkb

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And don't drivers use the signal post phones for routine stuff.

Also ATC is starting to go down the data route. Oceanic and Pre Start clearances at major airports are often transmitted over ACARS
 

Cherry_Picker

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And don't drivers use the signal post phones for routine stuff.

Not if you have CSR or GSM-R fitted.

Most stuff transmitted over radios is quite routine and would probably be rather boring to listen to. You should be able to hear a lot of it in a scanner if you want to though.
 

Andrew Nelson

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I picked up the radio the other day while waiting outside Hebden Bridge with a Track Circit failure.
I was listening to Radio4 at the time.
 

lincolnshire

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Even if you could tune into the Cab Secure Radio, you wouldn't be hearing much of interest.

Example:

Driver: Good Morning Signaller, This is the driver of One-Whisky-One-Five (1W15) currently at a stand at Whisky-One-Two-Three on the Down Main Fast on approach to Clapham Junction.

Signaller: Good Morning Driver of One-Whisky-One-Five, This is the signaller of Wimbledon panel number one, area four-zero. The reason I've stopped you at Whisky-One-Two-Three is because of a track-circuit failure....

I agree with Salop Sparky its the most boring thing to listen too, even listening to aircraft is far more interesting and thats bad enough, suggest you find something else to do with your time instead, how about train spotting at a station at least it gets you outside.
 
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