Abstract: Communication methods and systems wirelessly communicate onboard messages between communication devices onboard the same vehicle. The communication devices can wirelessly communicate with other communication devices onboard other vehicles in a vehicle system for remote control of the vehicles. Receipt of the onboard messages at the communication devices is determined, and operative states of the communication devices are determined based at least in part on the receipt of the onboard messages at the communication devices. Determining these operative states in this manner can allow for an operator to identify communication faults with the communication devices prior to departing the vehicle.

Abstract: Communication methods and systems wirelessly communicate onboard messages between communication devices onboard the same vehicle. The communication devices can wirelessly communicate with other communication devices onboard other vehicles in a vehicle system for remote control of the vehicles. Receipt of the onboard messages at the communication devices is determined, and operative states of the communication devices are determined based at least in part on the receipt of the onboard messages at the communication devices. Determining these operative states in this manner can allow for an operator to identify communication faults with the communication devices prior to departing the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicatively linking vehicles in a vehicle consist are provided. In one aspect, a lead vehicle can communicate a link command message to several remote vehicles. The link command message includes vehicle identifiers and/or a consist identifier. At the remote vehicles, if a vehicle identifier or a consist identifier stored onboard a remote vehicle matches the vehicle identifiers and/or consist identifier received in the link command message, the remote vehicle is communicatively linked with the lead vehicle to permit control of the remote vehicle by the lead vehicle. In another aspect, a vehicle identifier of the lead vehicle is stored onboard the remote vehicles. If the vehicle identifier stored on the remote vehicle matches a vehicle identifier received in the link command message, the remote vehicle is communicatively linked with the lead vehicle to permit control of the remote vehicle by the lead vehicle.