Uses for Digitrax Transponding?

[mrnimble]

Is there any practical use for Digitrax transponding (RX4s and BDL162s)?  I have it with my Super Chief system and can't say, that other than tinkering around with it when originally installed, that I've ever used it in 4 years.  I mainly operate my pike with RR&Co. software which does all the train tracking I need and for the trains I run at the same time from my DT400 throttles, I can visually see where they are (i.e. - zones) at all times anyway.  I'm expanding my layout and need the space where the RX4s are in my electronics bay for a PM42, DS64 and other assorted new hardware.  Will I miss transponding?

[mrnimble]

Exactly.  And, a loco's location can be read on the DT400 as well.  Since my RR&Co. software does its own reporting without transponding it doesn't seem to be a feature I particularly need.  I was just trying to do a reality check here to be sure I wasn't missing some concept that I might come to regret in the future if I remove the RX4s and Digitrax' transponding capability.

[CSX Robert]

If it ever makes it to market, Soundtraxx's SurroundTraxx system will use Digitrax transponding. SurroundTraxx is a system of undertable speakers that produce engine sounds that follow the engine around the layout. It was initially announced a few years ago, but the information was removed from the website and nothing was said about it for awhile. They now have information posted on the website again(http://www.soundtraxx.com/products/dcc/SurroundTraxxMAIN.htm) and the system is supposed to ship this Spring.

[jktrains]

If it ever makes it to market, Soundtraxx's SurroundTraxx system will use Digitrax transponding. SurroundTraxx is a system of undertable speakers that produce engine sounds that follow the engine around the layout. It was initially announced a few years ago, but the information was removed from the website and nothing was said about it for awhile. They now have information posted on the website again(http://www.soundtraxx.com/products/dcc/SurroundTraxxMAIN.htm) and the system is supposed to ship this Spring.

Right after they ship the diesel tsunamis!

[Paul3]

mrnimble,
The other thing that Transponding does in addition to the sound is the ability to read CV's in Ops Mode (on the mainline, IOW).  It also simplifies layout automation, tho' just how it does that I do not know.

There is also some thought that if one plays with it enough, one can really get into doing things like having a working Automatic Train Stop (ATS) for Signals Passed At Danger (SPAD).  IOW, if you pass a red signal, your train will stop all by itself.

Before you remove 'em, I would post over on the Digitrax Yahoo Group and see if anyone has some real experiences in seeing what Transponding can do.

Paul A. Cutler III
************
Weather Or No Go New Haven
************

 

[nof]

Isn't it so that the RX4s and BDL162s are reporting to your software where the locos are and makes it possible for the program to display the positions? If my asumption is wrong please explain for me how the DT400 and the program knows where the locos are?

[ChrisNH]

If it ever makes it to market, Soundtraxx's SurroundTraxx system will use Digitrax transponding. SurroundTraxx is a system of undertable speakers that produce engine sounds that follow the engine around the layout. It was initially announced a few years ago, but the information was removed from the website and nothing was said about it for awhile. They now have information posted on the website again(http://www.soundtraxx.com/products/dcc/SurroundTraxxMAIN.htm) and the system is supposed to ship this Spring.

That looks sweet! Something to look forward to! I really am dissapointed with the sound I have heard in HO locos, I can only imagine how my n-scale locos would sound. This looks like it would do exactly what I want. It even has a subwoofer hook-up!

At first I thought it would be better if it worked on regular block detection, but then I realized there would be no way to know which loco it was for determining which sounds to play. Too bad.. transponding (as I understand it) doesnt seem to be very well standardized.

Chris 

Edit: I just saw the $695 price on the sell sheet. Ouch!

[wjstix]

Not sure how much of this can be done now, but eventually you should be able to do a lot of things with two-way communication like transponding. For example, you could set up a grade crossing where the system senses which engine is approaching the crossing, and sends a message to that engine's sound decoder to blow the appropriate grade crossing whistle (two longs, a short, and a long).