Why everyday a dcc topic?

[chateauricher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cmrproducts
I always suggest that they try to get some hands on experience by visiting local Hobby Shops, Clubs or home layouts to run the system.

That works well, if there are hobby shops, clubs or home layouts in your area that you can visit to try out their DCC systems.

[donhalshanks]

(1) I think for many, and surely for me, that it is when I get into a project and find a problem arise.... that I have real need for advice and an answer, quickly. Isn't that one purpose..... to keep someone involved rather than getting frustrated and thus side tracked, and not returning to their layout? The pertinent topic three weeks ago before getting into the project, was probably not absorbed very well.

(2) The problem I have, usually has a slightly different twist than what was previously on the form, at least to me. It often does not fall exactly into a generic label (like "DCC").

(2) Personnaly, I have not found the search of past threads and the time it takes to be very productive. I either can't lock in on it, or I have to read a lot to get to the right one. It even takes considerable time to go into the many, many reference books and RR magazines I have.

(3) I admire that so many of you guys have gained so much experience and give me good solutions to my specific trouble almost without thinking. This is a wonderful resource to draw upon. And yes, the answer probably was in some earlier thread.

Hal

[waltersrails]

Not trying to be the bad guy on this one im just suggesting other ways to help others.

[modelmaker51]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SteelMonsters

DCC is an all or nothing deal. If you short a DC power pack to a DCC booster, you will pay for at least a new booster. It's really not hard to do accidentally. Crossing a DC/DCC gap is all that it takes. The better option for swtiching is to run DC while building up decoder stock piles. When you have enough decoders to get a good work force going, make the switch. Finally phase in the rest of your locomotives as resoruses allow.

I am aware of this and wouldn't be running both at the same time, but it would allow me to switch between the two until everything is converted and not have to connect and disconnect things all the time. Thanks for you concern though.

[Eriediamond]

Why questions on DCC everyday???? Cause they ain't come out with DDC yet!!!!

[SteelMonsters]

DCC is an all or nothing deal. If you short a DC power pack to a DCC booster, you will pay for at least a new booster. It's really not hard to do accidentally. Crossing a DC/DCC gap is all that it takes. The better option for swtiching is to run DC while building up decoder stock piles. When you have enough decoders to get a good work force going, make the switch. Finally phase in the rest of your locomotives as resoruses allow.

[modelmaker51]

Well, you DCC guys can officialy feel sorry for me, I just finished wiring my layout for DC with 30 blocks and 4 cabs! (double deck)[:D]. (All the hardware was recycled from previous layouts).

Actually, I do intend to go DCC, but I was getting tired of not being able to run any trains until I could afford to start the conversion process, so I bit the bullet and it took me about six weeks of some long days and nights and a few of miles of wire! I can say however, that the layout is DCC ready and as soon as I am able financially, I will add DCC as the 5th cab and begin converting some 150 locos asap.

To get back on topic, I do glean whatever I can from every post on DCC, so keep 'em coming!

[edkowal]

Questions about DCC are asked every day because a lot of modelers are interested in it. They know that one of the best ways to get information is by asking someone who's already using DCC. Which is what they do, via this forum.

-Ed

[on30francisco]

I enjoy reading most topics on this forum. If I come across a topic that I'm not interested in I simply move to another one, however, I have found a lot of useful information in some topics I thought I wouldn't be interested in. I still use DC but want to convert to DCC. Since I don't know much about the many different types and brands of DCC units that are available, the topics about DCC on this forum are very helpful to me.

[Robert Langford]

There is a button on the left side of my mouse. If I don't like to read a particular subject, I move to the next topic. I personaly enjoy all subjects in this forum. There are some that don't interest me so I do not read them. Simple isn't it!!!
BOB
SANDY SOUTHERN RAILROAD

[Janafam]

Because there is so much new material coming out DCC based, there is cause to ask questions. The varied responses and opinions add to value of these strings.

[MisterBeasley]

Y'know why? It's because everyone who asks gets good answers, that's why. This forum is like the Great Library of Alexandria. Ask a question, and you'll get information. You'll also get some comedy, and a touch of talk-radio thrown in, too.

[ICRR1964]

As for me, I am still old school! I do not dislike DCC, I like reading the threads that are out there old or new, got some decoders, but thats as far as it got!

[joeyegarner]

Well, this is my take on things. We have new pep[le everyday so not everyone that shows knows what we talk about or have talked about. When I came here a few months ago I asked several questions that had been asked many times before. But I still needed an answer, so we can plan to hear the same things again and again, someone may have a different take on things or explain it better. It also gives each of us the chance to give our input. If we didn't have this fourm we would only need a database for information. I am ok with topics being repeated over and over, because the more we see it the more we can learn. And there are lots of newbies to the hobby here.

[SteelMonsters]

It would be nice if a complete and maintained up-to-date DCC sticky topic were used. It would cut down on the number of repeat topics and be a much better source of information.

The Big Book of DCC is biased towards Digitrax. They are a top of the line system, however, they are not conclusively the best choice.

The two biggest selling point on NCE for me is that more of the layouts around me that I visit use NCE than anything else. The second is that I have a friend that will give me the dealer price which is 40% off. That is really nice for the circuit breakers, decoders and extra boosters. I will be able to add what I want without feeling as big of a pinch as I would if I went with other products.

I personally think that the best seller for DCC is to operate a train on it.

[rockythegoat]

QUOTE: Originally posted by waltersrails

[V] Everyday i get on here and theres a dcc topic. Ways around this.

1. read older forums

Mainly because there is currently a list of 46 pages of threads with "DCC" mentioned.

QUOTE:
2. MR has articles on it.

True, yet a lot of the questions I've seen have not been covered in MR.

QUOTE:
3. the product you want has a website and can help.

While someone can get a lot of info from the product website, I doubt they will point out any real or perceived shortcomings of their product; do an indepth comparison to other DCC systems/products; and/or have the time/space to cover all issues with a subject as complicated as DCC is/can be.

Keep on keepin' on, I say. Although to be truthful, I'm likely one of those folks, albeit an unrepentant one, too, who posts DCC questions quite frequently. [:D]

Breath deep, waltersrails, and just pass 'em on by.

[jxtrrx]

Hey Antonio,

Great description of the "Aha!" moment that you see the wonderful-ness of DCC. I totally related to your phrase "Wonderfully Weird." My "Aha" moment was that first head-on collision as well.

By the way, I love all the DCC topics on this forum. Even when they're repetitious.

[rexhea]

QUOTE: Originally posted by davekelly

QUOTE: Originally posted by rexhea

DCC and anything else related to power or electricity are probably the least understood subjects in MR. It should have its own subforum, but until it does I hope members will continue to post info and questions on what we have.

REX [;)]

Rex,

Quit wasting time by posting stuff and get that Tsunami installed!!!!

Hahahah! My soldering iron is getting hot and I am on my way

REX

[railroadyoshi]

People may ask what they like, You don't have to read it. In fact, every few days, we have a thread like this!

[davekelly]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rexhea

DCC and anything else related to power or electricity are probably the least understood subjects in MR. It should have its own subforum, but until it does I hope members will continue to post info and questions on what we have.

REX [;)]

Rex,

Quit wasting time by posting stuff and get that Tsunami installed!!!!

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Why everyday a dcc topic?

--------------Wow! Is that bad?????? [B)]

Don't mean to sound sarcastic, but with all of the "Torpedo Flaming" that we've had on this forum from November 10th thru Nov 14, 2005 I certainly don't mind reading ANY DCC or Train related topics at all!

I've learned a lot by reading the info on this forum. Grant it some info is incorrect but overall there is a wealth of good information that benefits so many of us.

However, out of respect and courtesy we should not attempt to shove DCC down other modeler's throats either. There are modelers who are satisfied with their DC systems and should be respected.

Observation:
IMHO, this thread is helping prove that DCC and DCC Sound's popularity is "exploding" and not slowly catching on, as some modelers have suggested. Try and pickup a model railroad related magazine and not see a DCC related advertisement or article in it. Look how many locomotives you can buy "NEW" already equipped with decoders.

I wanted nothing to do with DCC until a friend, and a TCS sales rep's "No Pressure" demonstration further convinced me that it is the way for me to go. ( Especially after I collided a BLI GG1 with a decoder equipped Athearn SD40-2 head on! ) Independent running was a new, WONDERFULLY WEIRD experience for me. [:D][8D][;)]

Having spent time around prototype diesels, I love the idea of being able to turn on/off headlights, gyra-lights, back-up lights, playable horns, and actually have to pay attention to avoid collisions. I'm glad I won't have to buy the traditional Atlas cab control selectors and have to wire up block control.

BTW: My layout is only going to be 2' wide by 20' long "around the wall set up. Except for a "roundy-round" circle of track, DCC can be practical for any layout regardless of size.

To those that dislike DCC topics, I sympathize with you........No disrespect but please..... Just click on to another topic.

Keep the Peace.[:)][:D][8D][8)]

[Anonymous]

I had never heard of DCC until I started reading this forum 11 months ago. Now I am building a layout designed to take advantage of the added capabilities of DCC and I think I could walk into any hobby shop in the English speaking world and carry on an intelligent conversation on the subject even though I have never used it.

Weathering, Scenery, Operations are other subjects that frequently come up. I enjoy those also. It is not required that you read every thread. I seldom look at polls and if a topic blooms into several pages overnight I ignore it.

[cmrproducts]

With this DCC thing, most modelers that are thinking about going DCC really need to ask a lot of questions.

DCC is not the easiest thing to learn especially for the nu-be. When someone asks me about DCC I usually ask how big the layout is and how many operators. This gives me an idea just how evolved they may want to get.

I always suggest that they try to get some hands on experience by visiting local Hobby Shops, Clubs or home layouts to run the system.

It also makes more sense to use what most of the local modelers or clubs are using as they will be able to help out with the many questions that always come up.

BOB H – Clarion, PA

[jjbmish]

Since I'm in the market to buy a DCC system the proliferation of topics on this subject is greatly appreciated. Everyone has there own opinion on what is important and the different topics always seem to address different aspects of the systems. (not always, but usually) I have never used a DCC system and haven't even seen one in operation, so my knowledge is very limited, but the different discussions have offered many sides to the puzzle of picking a system. And at least it is about model trains and not something silly like another poll about polls!

John

[Anonymous]

Usually there is a little bit new in each question, and little bit of knew thought come out in the answers. It's not a bad thing.

[rexhea]

DCC and anything else related to power or electricity are probably the least understood subjects in MR. It should have its own subforum, but until it does I hope members will continue to post info and questions on what we have.

REX [;)]

[davekelly]

It's not a bad thing when old questions are asked again. Maybe there is a new technique that someone has discovered, or someone that is new to this forum and wasn't here when the question was posted the first time has an answer that hasn't been put up before.

As to DCC, I've learned more about DCC on this forum than from anywhere else. It's great to hear what people who use the systems have to say.

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by waltersrails

[V] Everyday i get on here and theres a dcc topic. Ways around this.

1. read older forums
2. MR has articles on it.
3. the product you want has a website and can help.

Just saying one forum on here has the anwsers.

Not being rude but its silly to have the same Questions everyday.

Then why Have the forum?? Personally, I find the DCC topics FAR more useful than the silly polls that often pop up...

[Paul3]

At least it's On Topic. [:)]

The DCC threads I've seen here have been different just about each time. It's not like it's the same question over and over again (ie., "Which system is best?"). MR could certainly open a DCC Forum (or a more general "controls/electrical" forum) just like Atlas has on their forum, but it's their call.

Personally, as long as it's On Topic, I really don't care if someone posts a new DCC question every day for the rest of our natural lives. It's a great way to learn about a certain aspect of our hobby, and isn't that what this forum is for?

Paul A. Cutler III
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Weather Or No Go New Haven
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