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Simplex vs. Duplex

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  • Member since
    December 2012
  • From: Mesa, AZ
  • 1,530 posts
Simplex vs. Duplex
Posted by RideOnRoad on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 7:21 AM

Digitrax has simplex and duplex radio options.  What is the difference?

Richard

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 7:35 AM

Simplex radio is "one-way" communication.  It can send data but cannot receive data.

Duplex radio is  "two-way" communication that can both send and receive data.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: South Carolina
  • 1,719 posts
Posted by Train Modeler on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 9:08 AM

Duplex allows  you to acquire/dispatch locos w/o having to plug into the system among other things.  It's probably worth the extra money.    Duplex eqpt doesn't work on simplex receivers--you can check it out on the Digitrax website, lots of good info.   If you use your throttle to control switches, it's definitely worth the extra money, imo.

Richard

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 4:27 PM

 You don't need duplex to operate switch machine decoders. You DO need a DT40x throttle of some sort, the UT4 cannot operate accessory decoders.

 Simplex has a bit more range and better battery life, but if you operate in public venues were other clubs may use NCE, it's utterly useless, the NCE radios swamp the band used by Digitrax Simplex. Duplex operates on 2.4GHz with multiple channels so there generally are not interference issues.

 If you have neither and want to add radio, probbaly best to get Duplex. If you currently have Simplex and are otherwise happy with it, no reason to switch.

              --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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