If I had to do it again for DCC

[simon1966]

I am a member of some of the DCC Yahoo groups, including the Digitrax group. I find e-mail groups OK, but personally like the format of a forum like this better as it is easier to follow threads IMO, so I would also vote for a DCC section here.

[jwar]

Well I sure hope you guys dont mind another question
I was ready to go with a brand untill two words kinda grabed me, Simplex and Duplex. As I understand this, with Simplex one has to plug your radio hand held into the controll buss to access another engine and to MU.
With duplex one can do this on the fly without connecting to the control buss, being that the reciever and transmiters can talk to each other.

Question 1 With Digatrax ( Im sure is simplex) do you have to mu on the program track every time.

Question 2 Is NCE simplex or duplex, cant find it in their web site.

Thinking duplex systems are the way to go untill I get mor information. Dang it Im retired on a fixed income and hate to do things twice and just looking to get more bgang for the buck. Thanks guys ...John

[rrinker]

1: No, you create the MU on the main, like all the other systems. Even decoder-assisted consisting can be done on the main with ops-mode programming.

2: I don't see this as a big deal. The ones that allow loco selection while wireless all claim to be better for 'operations" Oh? When doing prototypical operation, the road crew doesn't climb off one loco and pick up another, or set up the MU between units. That's the job of the hostler, who then hands off to the road crew who make their run and drop the locos off at some specified point in terminal. Duplex radio is overrated. And runs at a lower power output due to FCC rules. NCE is duplex, the rest are all simplex. Runor has it NCE is coming out with a simplex version which can put out a stronger rf signal, but since they just released radio repeaters to overcome the signal loss issues, I'm not sure.

[Anonymous]

Just catching up on this thread. What is a DCC friendly switch? What makes it friendly?

[rrinker]

See http://www.wiringfordcc.com for the full explanation. But basically, a DCC friendly switch has the stock and adjacent point rail at the same polarity (as opposed to both point rails taking the same polarity as whichever stock railt hey are up against) and an isolated frog (which can be powered via switch machine contacts). There really isn't that big of a problem - if your wheels are all in gauge you won't have a problem with the point rails, and if you don't run against a switch thrown the wrong way, there won't be a shorting problem at the frog end.

--Randy

[jfugate]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

It struck me there is no primer here of do's and don'ts for building a railroad for DCC operation. Things like where to end blocks, etc. I think we need to start a file of tips for those about to attempt a new railroad. Reinventing the wheel isn't my idea of progress. Any tips anyone would like to tell us?

nd:

I couldn't agree more!

Most material on DCC that I've seen so far spends a lot of time talking about the theory behind DCC, how to pick the right system, and then covers a few basics about using the system ... but the real practical experience sort of material on installing and using the system on anything other than a 4x8 isn't very often discussed.

Permit me a shameless plug here. I've been using DCC for 12 years now on my HO Siskiyou Line, and I thought I would gather what I've learned over that time and put it onto a DVD. I assume you already know what DCC stands for and that you already know what system you want.

I cover how to plan the location of your command station, boosters, programming track, and wiring. I discuss how to short-proof a DCC layout. I talk about more advanced decoder programming and installation techniques like installing and using DecoderPro, how to install working headlights (step-by-step) and how to install a sound decoder (step-by-step). All along the way I share various hints and tip tidbits you probably won't find much anywhere else (to-date, at least).

The DVD should be out late May. You can go to the distributor's site for more:

http://mymemoirs.net/model-trains-set1-vol3b.php

(end of shameless plug)

Also, I'll be starting a special "FORUM CLINIC" over in the general area soon on my 12 years of using DCC, and I'll be discussing many of these things there.

[Anonymous]

Joe, you're the man! I can't recall your profession, but you should be able to substitute "video producer" for whatever it is very soon! I agree, most of the material out there concentrates on the wrong end of DCC for me. Of course I bought a system in 1998 and have since upgraded it. I didn't get Stan Ames book back then because I was familiar with most of the theory, etc and wanted to get some hands on with all the various systems, which I did at the 1998 National Train Show. I was going to buy Digitrax until I tried it at the show. I bought EasyDCC instead and have never looked back. That doesn't mean Digitrax isn't right for someone else. Depends on what "feels" right to you.

Cheers,

Ed