tetonjack,If you're talking about two-way communication between the decoder and the command station, Digitrax has had this ability for years. It's called "Transponding". Lenz is working towards full two-way comms, but AFAIK, they are still waiting for full NMRA approval (I know early versions would have called for all current DCC installations to be re-done as just one "normal" decoder would kill the returning signal for all decoders).
If you're talking about two-way wireless communication between the throttle and the command station, only NCE has this ability with their radio throttles. The Digitrax two-way radio throttles have been "coming soon" for a while now, and will be an upgrade to the DT400.
Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
The "read back" capability is only good on a programming track, since the way it works is by letting the command station sense current changes as the decoder pulses the motor. Obviously, with more than one loco on the track, it isn't going to work. That doens't strike me as a big problem, since reading back CV's isn't something you need to do all the time anyway.
There are good reasons to want duplex communication between the command station and the throttles, but that is a totally different issue.
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
Most decoders have 'read back' capability. The 'command station' is where the data in the decoder is sent to, not directly to the user throttle. Many command stations can inquire and read back CV's from decoders. Some of the older ones like the Digitrax 'Empire Builder' do not have that capability.
Some decoders(like the MRC sound decoder in my Athearn MP15AC) will send back a very limited set of information.
Now, with the above said - You are interested in 'wireless' throttles. The current Digitrax wireless throttles are not full duplex in 'radio' mode. They send out commands, but do not read back when in 'wireless' mode. If they are 'plugged' into the Loconet buss, they will be able to display the decoder CV's that teh command station has retrieved. Digitrax has demo'ed a full duplex system in Europe, and I suspect we will see it announced this year. NCE's 'wireless' system is 'full duplex' and works quite nice since the early bugs were worked out. The Easy DCC wireless throttles are full duplex, IIRC. They will work with Lenz based systems as well.
With all of the above said, reading back data from a decoder to a throttle display while running a train is rarely needed. If you really are interested in programming/reading/editing CV's - You should look into Decoder Pro software(free) that runs on a PC and attaches to the command station. With really nice GUI menu displays, it is the perfect ticket for the 'teckie' in all of us! Speed matching is so easy when doing it through Decoder Pro....
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I'll bite..... why?
I think the reason this capability has been so slow in coming is that there really are very few cases where it is really useful. If you've got some ideas on that I'd be interested in hearing them.
If you are referring to DCC radio control, I understand the read-back is from the command station to the hand-held unit, not from the decoder directly. The same information you would get if the hand-held unit was plugged into the command / control bus.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Good Morning, you'se all....... I have been reading about the use of radio control, either simplex or duplex. My question is, ' Have the decoders by the main companies able to send back the instructions it received from the control unit?'........This would be great feature. I understand that Lenz was the only company having this feature.
Enjoy Sat....No mowing,edging,clipping,raking.......Running the TRAINS on time is MORE important.......................