I recommend you post this question on the NCE forum website or better still do a search of that site because the question has been previously discussed. Not a good idea to join the ends. Also use a terminator wiil help keep the DCC signal clean especially long runs. By the way are you using 14 or 12 AWG wire size for the long runs. If the wire gage (size) is correct for the recommended length then there should be only about a 5% voltage drop.Again see the NCE forum site and Mark Gurries discussion on bus length, terminators, etc.
Thanks, beartracks. I am a member of the NCE-DCC forum on Yahoo Groups. As you indicated, there are mixed feelings about continuous loop bus wires, the use of snubbers, etc. I plan to buy a second booster based on the discussion in this thread. That will eliminate my current continuous loop.
Rich
Alton Junction
Cornwall,UK