Hey guys...not sure how many here are into listening to Rail communications... But I found what I'd say is the *perfect* radio for this.

Kenwood TK-280.

It'll do 250 channels and will scan then all, and quite fast.

I have one that I've programmed with all 98 AAR channels.

It recieves FAR better than a scanner or ham radio ever could.

Just something to consider should you be in the market.

Programming services can be had cheap. Enquire within

My ASTRO Saber works great on all 98 AAR Channels

I want one of these. Some railway employees are issued these, but motorolas are more popular.

I could use a dedicated HT. How much do those TK-280's usually go for? I'm using an Icom T7H right now.

...

Skelly knows I'll never touch a Moto-crap radio. lol

Posted by RailGuy88 I could use a dedicated HT. How much do those TK-280's usually go for? I'm using an Icom T7H right now. ... Skelly knows I'll never touch a Moto-crap radio. lol

/me beats you with a ASTRO Saber...LAPD Style

Jay - the TK280's are what CP Rail uses. They're starting to issue the TK-2180 portables however.

They OWN Motorola. HANDS DOWN.

And this is coming from a Moto-snob.

-M

Posted by exkalibur Jay - the TK280's are what CP Rail uses. They're starting to issue the TK-2180 portables however. They OWN Motorola. HANDS DOWN. And this is coming from a Moto-snob. -M

/me hits YOU with a ASTRO Saber to snap you out of it

The TK-2180 is what is being issued too on UP and BNSF now...but a lot of employees for some reason prefer the HT1250. I know the BNSF Special Agents still have Motorola XTS2500s

My ft-60 can receive most of the fraser valley with just a rubber duck, and slays trains with my fold-able 5/8. thanks anyways!!

Posted by Agent Skelly My ASTRO Saber works great on all 98 AAR Channels

Good luck scanning all of them ;)

Posted by exkalibur Good luck scanning all of them ;)

I use it mostly to scan the local stuff.

If you come across an extra one, please let me know.

I am looking for a good vhf rig, and I know that series of kenwoods are decent.

I have had nothing but grief with kenwoooo's. The SMA on an HT broke (very poor quality metal compaired to my yeasu's), no parts...at all! another had a TX issue, it would drop a couple KC's about half the time. The parts issue is well known, as kenwood does not do their own parts any more.

My old UHF Kenwoods were great UE Radios. I loved them for that purpose.

Hands down I agree, radios are way better than scanners. I'm listening on a vx150 and the reception is better than the scanner.
Whats going to happen once the railroads switch to NXDN? NX 200?

Posted by Vision Hands down I agree, radios are way better than scanners. I'm listening on a vx150 and the reception is better than the scanner. Whats going to happen once the railroads switch to NXDN? NX 200?

Railroads will not all switch to any digital format until the AAR says so.

CSX is right now running their NXDN system ontop of standard AAR analog interchange radio service and then its only for dispatch in select areas.

AAR has not made any announcement of digital radio interchange service for all its members.

I like hearing it on my ASTRO Saber...

Posted by Vision Hands down I agree, radios are way better than scanners. I'm listening on a vx150 and the reception is better than the scanner. Whats going to happen once the railroads switch to NXDN? NX 200?

VX150 ftw.

Posted by Mr. Fuzzy VX150 ftw.

VX8 FTW!!

I'm just getting into railroad stuff, and never bought a scanner before.
Opinions on this one?: http://www.radiosh...inProdsInSession=1

Just bought a new Radio Shack Pro-135 (200 channels) for $38. They're a clearance item on sale, so you can't get them online anymore, but a physical Radio Shack store near you might have one left in stock. I don't know much about scanners, but $38 for a 200-channel scanner seems like a good deal when the cheapest scanner on Amazon is $84 and only has 100 channels. Going to test mine out tomorrow.

Does anyone have recommendations for a replacement antenna?