Melbourne TRAM network

The UHF tram network is quite comprehensive and may be heard with a very modest vertical antenna and receiver.

I am using a Uniden UBC340CRS desktop scanner, an inexpensive, compact and respectable receiver coupled to a Diamond X30 VHF/UHF antenna. The antenna is only 3 metres in the air however reception is very good.

A recent addition is a very old Bearcat 220 receiver, with the red led display. This is coupled to a VHF/UHF vertical antenna mounted at 4.7 metres in the air, with excellent results.

The amount of traffic heard will vary according to the time of day. Morning and afternoon peak times result in more radio traffic, becoming even busier when major events (such as the Australian Open and Melbourne Grand Prix) create a sometimes overwhelming demand for trams.

Try the following frequencies in your area:

486.850	Maintenance Power/Mechanical
487.125	Maintenance Power/Mechanical
487.175	Maintenance Power/Mechanical
487.925	Revenue Protection/Inspectors
507.200	Brunswick/Essendon depots
507.250	Special events
507.275	Glenhuntley/Malvern depots
507.300	Preston/Southbank depots
507.600	Camberwell/Kew depots
508.450	Special events
509.375	Special events

507.225 is also used on the network for data transmissions.

In 2021 radio operations have commenced a transition to a digital radio network.

Thanks to Murray S. for contributing the following update to the Yarra Trams radio network:

In Melbourne Victoria we have YARRA TRAMS who have migrated to DMR Tier 3 (MotoTRBO)

Site 55 – Bourke Place, Melbourne 3000
Site 57 – Eureka Tower, Southbank 3006

Both sites have the same repeater frequencies:
TX – 418.2000 / RX – 408.7500
TX – 418.2500 / RX – 408.8000
TX – 418.3750 / RX – 408.9250
TX – 418.4500 / RX – 409.0000

Colour Code is always 0
Time Slot is always 2

TGID’s are:
1 – CUSTOMER SERVICE
2 – Unknown Use
3 – Unknown Use
4 – Unknown Use
5 – HELPDESK
6 – DEPOT/WORKSHOP
7 – Unknown Use
8 – Unknown Use
9 – POWER CENTRE
10 – POWER CENTRE
11 – FLEET OPERATIONS
12 – Unknown Use
13 – Unknown Use
14 – Unknown Use
15 – Unknown Use
16 – Unknown Use
901 – Unknown Use

For the moment listeners may scan the “old” analogue frequencies as well as the new “digital” frequencies.

You can find a plethora of information in relation to tram routes, passenger statistics, types of trams and other information on the Yarra Trams website.