Favorite Scanners: BC125AT

Another entry on our favorite scanners, past and present!

Today we look at the BC125AT
The BC125AT is the premier analog conventional scanner in Uniden’s line. While it does not work on digital or trunking systems it is a fantastic scanner for analog and conventional systems. It is a favorite for planewatchers and railfans due to it’s small size and large display. It comes with the rubber-duck style antenna and beltclip. It improves on the less expensive BC75XLT in that it supports alpha-tags and PL/DCS.

I spend a lot of time trackside or at airports and the BC125AT is almost always with me. I clip it to my camera strap and it works great. The small size really helps!

This also works in the old-fashioned “Banks & Channels” programming mode. It has 10 banks of 50 channels each totaling up to 500 available channels. If the newer modes of scanner programming confuses you then this might appeal to you.

I use Banks 1 and 2 for rail channels, I put them in AAR Channel positions,  for example AAR Channel 79 is in channel 79 on the scanner. I have a bank each for a few of the local airports and a couple for some local operations. I leave the last bank open to enter in anything I might want to listen to on a trip or event.

The BC125AT uses regular or rechargeable AA batteries and can charge with the USB cable. Free programming software is available from Uniden or you can use the awesome ARC125 software from Butel for an even better experience.

 

Riding the Rails – Conway Scenic Railroad

If you like trains and railroading, like I do, bring your scanner with you the next time you take a train trip. It will give you an exciting behindthescenes look at railroading!

Conway Scenic Railroad
North Conway, NH

Over Labor Day weekend, my family and I made the trip up to White Mountains of New Hampshire for some rest/relaxation, shopping and a train ride! The Conway Scenic Railroad is a must for any rail fan.

Conway offer many rail excursions:

The Valley Trains
Conway Excursion – 11 Miles, 55 minute round trip
Bartlett Excursion – 21 miles 1-3/4 hour round trip
Route maps – Train Schedules

The Notch Trains
Crawford Depot Excursion –  5 hour round trip
Fabyan State Excursion – 5 1/2 round trip
Route maps – Train Schedules

Saturday we made our way to North Conway Station. The station is very impressive with its Victorian-style construction and size. Behind the Station you will find the boarding platform and a small yard with an 85′ turntable and roundhouse. Due to time, we choose the shorter Conway Excursion.

Riding Conway Scenic Railroad
We boarded the open air coach #1557 formally from Boston & Maine Railroad. Pulling us south to Conway Station was #573 a GP-7 Diesel Electric Locomotive. Along our 55 minute roundtrip journey we passed breath taking views of Moat Mountain Range and cross the Saco and Swift Rivers. Once we reach Conway Station engine 573 made a run around move (uncoupling and passing us on the siding to couple onto the other end).

North Conway Model Railroad Club
I’m also a big fan of model trains as well, while there I was able to see North Conway Model Railroad Club (NCMRRC).  The club occupies  former Boston and Maine Freight House, located in the North Conway Rail Yard.  NCMRRC operates a 500 sq ft HO scale layout, features replicas of the North Conway Station, yard and Crawford Notch.

Engines 4266 and 252 in the yard behind North Conway Station
 Engine 252 on the turntable
View from open-air car 1557 of the Moat Mountain Range
Engine 573 making the run around at Conway Station
Engine 573 Passing us on the siding at Conway Station.

Scanning Conway Scenic Railroad
On the Conway Excursion communications took place on 160.2500 their main road channel.  Be sure to program 161.3250 and 160.4250 as well.

If you’re visiting the area for the weekend, you may want to bring a digital scanner since most of the law enforcement is operating on digital conventional VHF.

My Scanning Gear
Uniden BCD396XT with the stock antenna
Soft leather Case with Swivel