Re: FreightCorp Radios

["Chris Stratton" <stratton.chris.cp@bhp.com.au>]

The chip in the phone is a SIMM, not sure if it means the same as in a
computer where it is a Single Inline Memory Module. GSM is the type of
digital phone network.
Regards,
-- 
Chris Stratton
Wollongong, NSW, Australia
stratton.chris.cp@bhp.com.au

Michael Walker <walker@hotkey.net.au> wrote in article
<34BA32D3.2E0C@hotkey.net.au>...
> Rod Young wrote:
> > 
> > Paul wrote:
> > >
> > > Maurie Daly wrote in message ...
> > > >  8< snip
> > > >The SRA Train Radio System or whatever it is now called is / was /
always
> > > will
> > > >be a total disaster.
> > >
> > > I have trouble understanding how, nearly 29 years after we put a man
on the
> > > moon, we haven't sorted basic stuff like this out. I mean really,
this is
> > > 1998!  The technolgy needed isn't even particularly new. Out here in
the
> > > remote west it's still copper wires, and telephones attached to
poles, ala
> > > steamdays. They talk here about upgrading to CTC, when this day and
age we
> > > shouldn't even have signals. It should all be in the cab, along with
a
> > > telephone to simply pick up and talk to a controller.
> > > I'm sure Maurie could come up with a system in less than a week,
which is
> > > better than anything in Australia today.
> > >
> > > My 2c worth, that's better...
> > > Paul P.
> > 
> > Hey BOB YOU READING THIS!!!!
> > 
> > Victoria has had a radio system as described since the mid 80's
> > Pick up a Handset and ring or recieve Train control,Need a Deisel
> > Maintainer, talk to the Fuel Point, want to tell the Boss about his
> > ancestors, ask Manpower to pass it on for you! a secondary system was
> > provided for "on train" or local communication[ range varies but
usefull
> > up to 10 km's]
> > NSW seem to rely a hell of a lot on walkie talkies, And I must admit
> > that SAR and Commonwealth Rail had a pretty good if basic system for
> > many years.
> >     Of course all that changed with NR's new wiz-bang system...pity
> > about the range of the end to end bit though....I SAID YOUR F>>>N
TRAINS
> > COMPLETE>>>oh forget it......
> >                    Cheers
> >                                   Rod Young
> 
> From what I hear, at least for suburban trains, the system is a bit of a
> shambles at present. Suburban train drivers for quite some time have
> been issued with mobile phones by the PTC leased/purchased through
> Vodafone with hardwired numbers only for contacting Metrol and a few
> others. I presume the numbers are hardwired through the GSM(? I am not
> sure if this is the correct terminology - the little chip thing put in
> the back to tell the phone who you are and your mobile number) as many
> drivers take along their own  chip and use that with the phone for their
> own calls. The reason for this is that the radio system installed
> originally in the 80s is extrememly unreliable and didn't cover the
> system very well. Then again, from what I hear, the mobile phone system
> isn't much better in terms of coverage. It is difficult to get reception
> past Heidelberg on the Hurstbridge line except for a short area around
> Greensborough, at least thats what I have been told.
>