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Operating Wireless Throttles on NCE PH-Pro

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  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Operating Wireless Throttles on NCE PH-Pro
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, May 28, 2012 4:59 AM

I have an NCE PH-Pro 5 amp system with two Pro Cab throttles.  Last summer, I sent both throttles in to NCE for conversion to wireless.  I installed the wireless base station and antenna.  I love the freedom of operating the throttles with the need for tethered cables and UTP panels every seven feet along the layout.

But, I have one annoying problem.

Whenever I want to select a new loco, I have great difficulty in keying in the long address of the loco.  I have to slowly and firmly depress each button to get the right address.  Otherwise, I may try to program a long address such as 2389 and wind up with 239 or 289 or 389. 

The signal seems strong enough, and all of the other functions work flawlessly including the Recall function. 

My solution is to plug the cable to the UTP panel long enough to program the long address when selecting a new loco.

Do others experience this same problem?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Monday, May 28, 2012 7:20 AM

Rich.

 That is the most common complaint about the hammer head throttles. I never program in wireless there is too much that can interfere. The FCC has given such a small wavelength of signal to operate on you will find cordless phones, key fobs, IR cameras, and appliance remotes operate and cross on the same frequencies.

  I have also noticed that when plugged in you have to be more precise with the button pushing while programing. In operating mode the buttons are a lot more touchy.

  Pete

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Central Absurdistan
  • 1,179 posts
Posted by kbkchooch on Monday, May 28, 2012 8:28 AM

Rich

I feel your pain, well kinda,  sorta.Confused While I find that I do have to be a little slower and deliberate when keying in a loco address with my radio throttles, it seems no worse that my tethered smaller throttles (cab 04e's)

Might I suggest rather than plugging in for programming, try JMRI !  The PC keyboard is easier than pressing buttons on the hammerhead!

 

Karl

NCE über alles! Thumbs Up

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Trois-Rivieres Quebec Canada
  • 1,063 posts
Posted by jalajoie on Monday, May 28, 2012 9:03 AM

I thought it was corrected with revision 1.28 upgrade.

Jack W.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Monday, May 28, 2012 9:33 AM

We use the NCE ProCabR throttles at our club and have the same problem.  As mentioned previously, the FCC signal strength restrictions and narrow band allocation are part of the problem.

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