by clearblock
The FCC approved a modified radio license yesterday for the WNY&PA, which replaces 161.175 (AAR71) with 160.620 (AAR34). Base station locations will be at Jamestown, Knapps Creek and Wellsville, NY and Saegertown, PA.
In late December, a modified license with similar changes from 161.175 to 160.620 was granted to the LA&L for their B&H operation with a new base station at Mt Washington (Bath, NY) as well as the change in frequency for Cohocton. The Bath site has an associated mobile frequency of 160.260 (AAR10) so it looks like this operation may be AAR1034 for Dispatcher communications.
These LA&L lines had originally applied to expand their use of 161.175 but this was blocked by objections from Canada. I don't know why the AAR Frequency Coordinator ever recommended 161.175, which is used throughout southern Ontario by CP Rail as their MOW PBX channel. Under a joint AAR frequency use plan in effect for many years, Canada has priority on the odd numbered channels and the US on the even numbered channels in the “Line A” coordination zone near the border.
In mid December, NS surrendered their licenses which they had obtained 2 years ago, but never implemented, to replace 161.070 with 160.620 for their base stations and detectors on the S. Tier Line between Hornell and Buffalo. This made 160.620 available and the pending LA&L applications were modified. There was no problem with Canada on 160.620 since it is an even numbered channel and it had been designated for use throughout upstate NY by the LV back in the 70’s when the AAR Frequency Plan was set up.
Also, last November, the FCC granted a new license to the NYS&W for 160.620 for new Mobile Relay (repeater) sites on hilltops near Tully, Cortland and Binghamton on the Binghamton to Syracuse line. These sites should give very wide area coverage if and when they are put in service. The NYS&W used repeaters at Binghamton and Marshall, NY many years ago but they changed to remote base operation due to some problems with the repeaters with the technology available at that time.
I have no idea when the railroads plan to implement these changes but it would be worthwhile to have 160.620 in your scanner if you are in the area.
In late December, a modified license with similar changes from 161.175 to 160.620 was granted to the LA&L for their B&H operation with a new base station at Mt Washington (Bath, NY) as well as the change in frequency for Cohocton. The Bath site has an associated mobile frequency of 160.260 (AAR10) so it looks like this operation may be AAR1034 for Dispatcher communications.
These LA&L lines had originally applied to expand their use of 161.175 but this was blocked by objections from Canada. I don't know why the AAR Frequency Coordinator ever recommended 161.175, which is used throughout southern Ontario by CP Rail as their MOW PBX channel. Under a joint AAR frequency use plan in effect for many years, Canada has priority on the odd numbered channels and the US on the even numbered channels in the “Line A” coordination zone near the border.
In mid December, NS surrendered their licenses which they had obtained 2 years ago, but never implemented, to replace 161.070 with 160.620 for their base stations and detectors on the S. Tier Line between Hornell and Buffalo. This made 160.620 available and the pending LA&L applications were modified. There was no problem with Canada on 160.620 since it is an even numbered channel and it had been designated for use throughout upstate NY by the LV back in the 70’s when the AAR Frequency Plan was set up.
Also, last November, the FCC granted a new license to the NYS&W for 160.620 for new Mobile Relay (repeater) sites on hilltops near Tully, Cortland and Binghamton on the Binghamton to Syracuse line. These sites should give very wide area coverage if and when they are put in service. The NYS&W used repeaters at Binghamton and Marshall, NY many years ago but they changed to remote base operation due to some problems with the repeaters with the technology available at that time.
I have no idea when the railroads plan to implement these changes but it would be worthwhile to have 160.620 in your scanner if you are in the area.
