Prodigy DCC System by MRC

[Anonymous]

The system works well for my 10 x 16 foot HO layout in concept and operating method. However, I've had many problems with the AD 490 handheld controller. Locos not responding, running away and/or the wrong loco responding to a given address. Would appreciate comments from other users, suggestions?

[nfmisso]

Do you have an extension cable on the handheld? This is a known issue. It cannot reliably handle longer cable lengths.

If this is not the case, you will need to supply a lot more information.

[Anonymous]

No extension cables used on my Prodigy system! But it appears that the cables are aproblem in that any pull (externally) can affect operation on the handheld I'm now using. On the original one included with the set it would kink and twist and started to do strange things--MRC replaced it with one that is now on its way back to MRC after a couple months use; it has failed completely. When it first started to have trouble I found that pushing in on the cable would get some response hinting that internal connections were not secure. There may also be temperature problems since my garage train room can ge above 90 degrees in summer!

[der5997]

I'm seriously thinking about the Prodigy Advanced for my DCC system. I have a Tech 4 350 with walk around that I have extended with no problems in performance. Now I am wondering about the P. How many wiers are there in the cable? The Tech 4 uses a six wire phone cable.