|
Shortwave
Listening
|
 |
NASWA
SWL Guide - Excellent guide by time
|
Transoceanic
Aircraft Monitoring
|
 |
This is a nice
change from the usual AM broadcast monitoring usually associated
with shortwave listening. There are multiple frequencies
that are used for the aircraft that fly from the continental US
across the Pacific. I concentrate on the Pacific since I
live in the Northwest. Broadcasts use USB. The key
is finding an active frequency. These aircraft are talking
with San Francisco most of the time and give carrier and number,
position location, altitude and temperature. These can be
tracked using the FlightAware website. The Transocianic
map below shows all active frequencies.
Transocianic
Map
FlightAware
Ham Universe
Aircraft Monitoring
ADS-B
Transmission Reception
Automatic dependent
surveillance – broadcast. These are signals broadcast by
most aircraft that transmits their position on 1090 mhz. You
can build yourself a receiving station with a Raspberry Pi
computer, PiAware software from Flightaware, a RTS-SDR dongle or a
low cost dongle sold by Flightaware and a commercial build antenna
or home built.
My
ADS-B Feed on Flightaware
Build your own
station
Home
build ADS-B antenna Another
antenna link
|
Railroad Monitoring |
 |
Monitoring railroad traffic is
another interesting branch of the scanning hobby. If you
live near a metropolitan area with a switch yard there is always
traffic on the railroad band. Spokane is no
exception. The line that runs from Sandpoint, Idaho to
Spokane is known as The Funnel. As outlined by a excellent
railfan's website linked below. This site has excellent
mile post information and important locations along the route.
Most through traffic is on 161.250. This is the frequency
that the trains use to talk with dispatch. Also the hot
box detectors transmit on this frequency through out The
Funnel. There are five that I have heard from Spokane to
Sandpoint. These monitor
the train for problems as they move past the detector.
Some report how many axles and temperature as well. I can hear
two from my home location. One in downtown Spokane near
the Amtrak station (MP 70.49) and another by Industrial Park in
the Spokane Valley (MP 60.1). Another busy frequency is
160.455. This is the main yard frequency. Conductors
in the yard move trains via the Remote Controlled Locomotive
System or RCLS. Computerized voice warnings can be heard occasionally.
Linked below is a job aide from the Canadian Pacific Railway for
RCLS. See my scanner listing for all of the railroad
frequecies in the Spokane area. RCLS
Info
Golden Spike Tower
Golden Spike Yard Live Cam
Railroad Live Cam
Links
Virtual Railfan ($)
Virtual Railfan You Tube
|
