Do you need wifi on the computer running JMRI to be able to run WiThrottle? Are there cables included in the Digitrax Zephyr to hook up your system to your computer, or do you need to buy them? How would you go about doing setting WiThrottle up?
Here is the set up we have at the club.
An old Pentium running Windows XP. Digitrax DCC connected to the PC via a Loco Buffer, a Digitrax PR3 will also do, a wireless router connected to the PC. Finally JMRI running WiThrottle and iPad-iPod-iPhone running WiThrottle or an Android device running Engine Driver. In this set up, only JMRI is a free download.
The computer doesn't need to be wifi as it is connected to the router via a usb cable. No internet connection required.
Jack W.
To run a Wireless throttle using your phone you need a wireless router. They are identified by their IP addresses. Basically your phone communicates to the router which communicates to the computer which communicates through the LocoBuffer(as said above, ours is the USB type) to the Digitrax unit. Because of these many steps we have found these phone throttles to have some delay vs OEM wireless with their proprietary protocols. But, they're cheap if you already have them. Note, if you have a zephyr you have to buy the wireless interface to match the wireless digitrax throttle--if you want to use a wireless digitrax throttle.
Richard
As others have said - nope. And in all honesty, I'd personally rather have a hard-wired connection there so you know that the communication between the router and the PC won't get disturbed (unless the router is shut off).
However, with that said - there is no reason that you couldn't use a laptop (with wireless card) and create an "ad-hoc" network so the smartphones are talking directly to the PC connected to your DCC system.
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
Exactly how I ran it at a club show. Hooked my PC to the Loconet with a PR3, and set up an ad-hoc networkw ith my iPhone. You don;t need it, but I used Connectify to simplify setting up the ad-hoc network.
For a desktop PC, it just needs to connect to the access point somehow. It can be wired or wireless, doesn't matter. You can also get a USB wireless adapter for $30 or so and set up an ad-hoc network, no access point needed.
Either way still needs a Locobuffer or PR3 to connect the computer to the layout.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
You should just be able to plug the internet cable from the computer to the router, I really don't see why you need a fancy USB wireless adapter.
You're assuming he has a router the first place. If his computer has no wireless, why would he have purchaed a wireless router? The USB wireless adapter is going to be cheaper than buying a router, 99% of the functions of which won't be needed just to use WiThrottle.