I was told that the BNSF Barstow Hump Digital Communications is just a test, more so for the Communication/Telecom. Dept. to get familiar with how this system works and to test it for future use and reference, in other words, trial and error tests. I have received various reports that it isn't working very well and as a result, tests that were to be conducted at other locations starting last November 2011 with Digital have been put off indefinately because of it. The use of this channel is just limited to no more than 2 miles! To quote UP Dispatcher STA at the Spring Office who works the afternoon shift on the Eureka, Palastine, and Hearne Subdivisions, "The current railroad radio communication systems was not designed for digital communications. Digital Communications are great for cell phones, but with them in major areas, you have a cell tower every couple of miles. On average, with the current railroad radio system you have radio towers on average of every 30 miles, it wouldn't work for digital." I agree with STA 200% on that one.