September 10, 2008 I should first introduce myself. I'm a long time HO modeler and also a railfan. One of my other hobbies is Ham Radio. I've been an advanced class licensed ham since I was age 14. Due to a move, I've had to down size my hobbies, and have mostly given up Ham Radio (townhomes and towers don't mix). Then along came ATCS Monitor. As it turned out this was good for both myself and others who are now using the web feed. I've been able to re-connect with some of my past Ham friends, and also use my knowledge of Ham Radio to facilitate getting the ATCS server sites operational.
Much has happened since the Nat's last entry. We continue to expand our coverage on the Staples Sub. BNSF control points Dower Lake and Wadena are now on the active layout.
Most of you are familiar with the Northstar project. For those of us using ATCS Monitor, this is an exciting time. Recent communications construction has the BNSF using ATCS 900mhz radio code line. We now have all of this new data to decode and display. Thus far, control points 35th Avenue, 44th Avenue and soon Ramsey will be operational on 900mhz. Presently we have one receiver at the main server site in Vadnais Heights. We would like to find a host to help with a site, preferably in the Ramsey, Elk River, Andover, or Anoka area. All of the equipment is provided, we just need the location.
Recently we've had the good fortune to have a host come forward in Fargo, ND. He's currently offering up the KO Sub from Dilworth west to West Absaraka. Very soon he will be offering an audio feed at Railroadradio.net. You can watch and also hear the trains at the same time. The Fargo area is a very busy area with lots of rail traffic.
The nuts and bolts of the Minnesota ATCS Monitor feed:
Currently we have about 400 miles of BNSF track displayed. To accomplish this requires more than one server site. The previously mentioned main server, which is the clearing point for all remote servers has 2 receivers here: 1 on ARES VHF (161.010) and 1 on ATCS 900mhz.
In addition to the main server there are 5 remote servers:
- 1) Inver Grove Heights, MN
- 2) Atwater, MN
- 3) Plymouth, MN
- 4) Little Falls, MN
- 5) West Fargo, ND
Each of the remote servers feed the main server (the one you log into) using software designed by another ATCS'er, Gary Hahn from Milwaukee, WI. Gary has been instrumental in the Rochelle, IL feed covering the famous Rochelle diamond for those of you that have tuned in to that.
Some notes about our system. We have to keep in mind that the BNSF spends millions of dollars on their CTC/ATCS system. We don't have that kind of money invested. On the other hand the railroad's system has lives that depend upon it working properly all the time. We don't! So with that thought in mind, there maybe some times where we miss packets of data, or coverage is marginal and a train will be lost for 1-2 stations. A couple of these locations are: From West Delano to East Howard Lake on the Wayzata Sub. W. Delano is at the limit for the Plymouth Server and E. Howard Lake is at the limit for the Atwater Server. Richards Spur to Hawley on the Staples Sub is out of range for the Little Falls Server. The only way we can make it more reliable is to install more server sites. There is no limit on the number of servers that can be added.
In the next few months I'll briefly describe each of the server sites and the equipment used at each.
If you have questions about the ATCS display, please ask them. Also if you are watching and happen to notice what appears to be a problem please let Nat or myself know about it so that we can correct it.
Don Schoenberger
ATCS Monitor is being displayed at the both the Wayzata Depot and also at the MTM, Jackson Street Roundhouse. Take a look if you're in the area visiting either of these locations.