Wireless DCC systems, suggestions please...

[simon1966]

Hey, don't kill the messenger[:D] Often certain frequency bands are reserved for certain applications, like emergency service radios etc. If the easy dcc is not allowed in Sweden it must be because of a conflict like that.

[electrolove]

QUOTE: Originally posted by simon1966

Electrolove, you may need to do some investigation about the legal use of the different brands of wireless systems in Sweden. Check with the manufacturers as there are some legal issues relative to the radio bands used etc. What systems are other modellers in Sweden using?

I did not think about that. I did a quick search and they say that EasyDCC wireless is not allowed in Sweden. I think I want to kill someone here [}:)] Simon, do you know what can happen if I just use it anyway? Just curious... Airplanes falling down from the sky or something? [;)] I will try to get some info about what systems others use here in Sweden in another post.

[simon1966]

Electrolove, you may need to do some investigation about the legal use of the different brands of wireless systems in Sweden. Check with the manufacturers as there are some legal issues relative to the radio bands used etc. What systems are other modellers in Sweden using?

[jecorbett]

I have a Lenz system with a compatible CVP wireless throttle. Simple to set up and use.

[cacole]

Electrolove,

You can download the instruction manuals for all of the various DCC systems from each manufacturer's web site and then either print a copy or read them with Adobe Acrobat Reader because they are all in .PDF format.

http://www.ncedcc.com
http://www.cvpusa.com
http://www.digitrax.com
http://www.lenzusa.com

Since Lenz is a German company located in Giessen, it might be easier for you to go to that web site if you understand German.

There's also good info about the various systems at:

http://www.tonystrains.com
http://www.loystoys.com
http://www.litchfieldstation.com

The NCE ProCab wireless controller does not have a slider for the throttle control -- it has a wheel with buttons on both sides marked Increase Fast and Decrease Fast to the left, and Increase and Decrease to the right. There is also a 28/128 speed step button. You can see pictures of this throttle on the NCE web site.

[electrolove]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Rodneys UP 9000

I'm not Joe, but yes you have listed everything you need to get started.
Yes the under side of the command station is open, so you can see
the electronics, and change the e-prom chip when you need to upgrade.
Its a great system to start with what you need, and add as you need to.
Rodney

Thanks Rodney for the great answer. Time to begin save some money [:D]

[Anonymous]

I'm not Joe, but yes you have listed everything you need to get started.
Yes the under side of the command station is open, so you can see
the electronics, and change the e-prom chip when you need to upgrade.
Its a great system to start with what you need, and add as you need to.
Rodney

[electrolove]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jfugate

I see NCE and EasyDCC as the best wireless systems on the market at the moment.

Lenz uses wireless phones or wireless palm PCs, which means you'll need these devices for all your operators.

Digitrax wireless requires you to plug in to acquire the locomotive, which NCE and EasyDCC do not require you to do. One of the reasons I want wireless is so I don't have to string a throttle bus all around the layout, so by my way of thinking, Digitrax's wireless option still requires a bus I can plug into being strung around the layout -- which rules it out as "only sorta wireless".

Don't know about Digitrax when it comes to upgrades, but yes, when I owned Lenz I had to send it back to the factory for upgrades -- so that means I had to pay postage to get it there and then I had to pay a fee for the upgrade ($35 if I recall). EasyDCC upgrades aren't generally free, but at least the upgrade comes with good instructions and takes about 15 minutes to install.

I don't like the slider for speed on the NCE Pro Cab (maybe NCE have other cabs, I don't know) so the EasyDCC system feels like the one for me. I'm sure EasyDCC will do everything I want [:D]

Joe, how does the EasyDCC command station look on the underside, is it open so I can see the electronics or protected by a case?

What do I need to get up and running with the EasyDCC system? If I understand it right I need:

1 - Command station (CS2B)
2 - Wireless base station (RX900)
3 - At least one wireless throttle (For example the T9000)
4 - Power supply (PS5 or PS10)
5 - Booster (Booster3, Booster5 or Booster10)

Correct?

[jfugate]

I see NCE and EasyDCC as the best wireless systems on the market at the moment.

Lenz uses wireless phones or wireless palm PCs, which means you'll need these devices for all your operators.

Digitrax wireless requires you to plug in to acquire the locomotive, which NCE and EasyDCC do not require you to do. One of the reasons I want wireless is so I don't have to string a throttle bus all around the layout, so by my way of thinking, Digitrax's wireless option still requires a bus I can plug into being strung around the layout -- which rules it out as "only sorta wireless".

Don't know about Digitrax when it comes to upgrades, but yes, when I owned Lenz I had to send it back to the factory for upgrades -- so that means I had to pay postage to get it there and then I had to pay a fee for the upgrade ($35 if I recall). EasyDCC upgrades aren't generally free, but at least the upgrade comes with good instructions and takes about 15 minutes to install.

[cacole]

The two best in my opinion are EasyDCC and North Coast Engineering Power House Pro Radio set.

I use EasyDCC's AirWire900 Wireless DCC system in all of my G-scale locomotives and the range is unbelievable for a 900 MegaHertz system -- nearly 1/4 mile. For an indoor layout, their EasyDCC system with wireless throttle(s) should be equally as good because you can't tell any difference in the actual hand-held controllers. Internally they are different, but I think they all operate in the same frequency range.

My NCE Radio system works excellently on an indoor HO scale layout. Here again, the radio signal, even though 916.5 MHz, works through walls and other obstructions within my house.

Something else you need to consider is upgradeability for future additional decoder functions that may be added. Both CVP and NCE systems can be upgraded by changing out an EPROM microchip within the command station.

At the present time, NCE supports 12 decoder functions and CVP supports 8. I queried CVP about a future upgrade of their system to support more than 8 functions, and their reply was "not in the immediate future" because the sound functions from 9 through 12 are ones that would be too infrequently used.

How other systems mentioned, such as Digitrax and Lenz are upgraded, I don't know for sure, but believe you have to send them back to the factory. And if that's the case, you're dead in the water while your system is being upgraded.

[colvinbackshop]

I uss Digitrax and like it...Haven't had any problems at all.
But as "nfmisso" said.....It rerally should come down to support in your area.

[Mark R.]

I'm using three of the Lenz XPA modules with cordless telephones for control. For about $150 I got three wireless walk-around controllers, including the phones which were on sale, with more than 1000 foot range !!! These units will only work on Express-net systems though .... Lenz / Atlas. They work surprisingly well - I really like 'em.

Mark.

[nfmisso]

I am very happy with Digitrax DT400R throttle.

All of the above systems are very good. In my opinion it comes to local support; what do others in your area use?

[Pruitt]

I've got the NCE system, and I have very little problem anywhere in my basement. It works great!

[jwmurrayjr]

I have a friend who has the NCE Power Pro wireless systems and it seems to be "bullet proof".

[tstage]

EL,

Your options as far as wireless is either IR (infared) or RF (radio). Radio control is better because you don't have point the beam at the control box - e.g. much like a remote control for your TV.

Digitrax, NCE, Lenz, and CVP EasyDCC all have wireless systems. According to Joe Fugate, the CVP wireless is the nicest of the bunch. I'm still in the "umbilical cord" stage. Maybe one day I'll "cut the apron strings"...

Tom

[electrolove]

I want a wireless DCC system for the big layout I'm planning right now, so I can follow the trains without thinking about cables. What options do I have? I know there are a lot of systems on the market, but how many of them are wireless?