I’ve been reading all I can to get up to speed with DCC. I went with the Digitrax system and have it hooked up on my small 4x8 “test and play” or “hack and slash” (heheh) layout so I can learn to run, program, and such. I’ve noticed that the Big Book is out of print and there is no indication when a vol. II will be available. Just this last week, with the assistance of this board (thank you all), I’ve found what seems to be a killer site: www.wiringfordcc.com. I’ve also seen the Big Book for sale on Ebay for some 5 to 10 times the retail. Is it really worth the $$ (other than for collecting)?!? I don’t mind spending if its worth it, but I don’t collect books just to have them.
Personaly i think you can find out as much as the big book offeres on the web for free. I guess it depends. I never got the book. But dcc realy isnt all that hard to learn its something the more you do the more you get used too it. All DCC is baisicly The system (you case Digitrax) the bus wire and the feeders to the track and a decoder. All information is needed would be how to programt he decoder and the system this info can be found in the manual that comes with it. Now if yours planing to go more advance with Signaling, Assecories, Lighting, Ect… Witch dcc the book may help. But if your just going to use the system to run the loco’s and switches i realy think you could find this info on the web at places like this for free. thats my 2 cents.
The Big Book is worth having, but not a many times the cover price. I got mine on eBay for $5 LESS than cover price. The problem with eBay is too many people thing what they have is ‘rare’ and collectible. The Big Book is not rare. Yes it’s out of print, because it’s somewhat dated, but they printed and sold LOADS of them. It’s certianly not rare by any stretch of the imagination. I just laugh at these auctions and pass on by. Like the guy with the $1500 Athearn loco.
If you can get a copy cheap, buy it. There’s plenty that’s still applicable. Otherwise, there is plenty of onlien information that can probably answer any of your questions. If you want Digitrax-specific, join the Digitrax group on Yahoo.
I have the Big Book of DCC which was published by Digitrax. The copyright date in the book is 1999 and I believe the book is currently out of print. The published cover price is $24.95. I purchased my copy onlline for $19.99 plus postage, several years ago. I am amazed at the prices this book is bringing on ebay. The book is an exceptional tutorial on DCC and was a good resource when many model railroaders were trying to make a decision to switch from DC to DCC.
Now days DCC is becoming the model railroad operating standard. There is a wealth of DCC information for free on the internet. Since you have alread purchased a Digitrax system you can down load all of the technical information about their system for free from their web site. In addition, all of the DCC decoder makers have web sites too.
THe DCC book covers programing, CVs and consisting, but Decoder Pro and a computer makes this information unnecessary.
Then, you will find a lot of helpful and experienced DCC model railroaders on this forum. Unless you are a collector of MR books I would invest the DCC book money in purchasing an additional Digitrax decoder.
I have a Digitrax Chief (radio) system in operation for five years. I am a very satisfied Digitrax owner.
Thanks. That’s about the answere I expected, just wanted to be sure. And since you mentioned the Radio Controller, any complaints?? My LHS (in L.A.) suggested to wait on the Radio Controller until Digitrax comes out with the up-graded verision which comunicates both ways… Anyone know about this??
I don’t absolutly need a radio controller right now, but I WILL! I hate the cord, already stood up once and… well… just glad I was quick handed. As I mentioned, my little set-up was just “tossed” together with Kato snap track to practice/program and I didn’t have it “nailed” down.
I did buy the computer hook-up and look forward to diving into the all aspects of the programming… maybe hehehe
Another good resource for FREE DCC information is on Tony’s Train Exchange web site. If you go to the main page, look at the double column in the middle, find 2. DCC For Beginners and click on it. You can either read it on line, or download it as a .pdf file onto your computer.
I have not seen any information on the Digitrax site about the upgrade of their radio system, but I would guess they will move in that direction at some point.
If you have the computer connection for Digitrax go ahead and download Decoder Pro from the JMRI web site. It is free.
DCC technology is changing so fast that a publication like the Big Book of DCC is outdated before it’s even published, except for the very basic information that would be in it.
Yep. Once again we see why it’s important to keep the LHS alive and well: I heartily second their advice. If you want radio, you want duplex (two-way) communication. The limitations of a one-way radio throttle mean you’ll be plugging it in way too often - defeating much of the purpose!
My radio throttle is two-way. I literally have never plugged it in (and don’t have a throttle bus - the only place I COULD plug it in would be directly to the system).
Yeah, I know it’s a PITA to wait. I hate waiting. But I’ve used the one-way radio throttles and, to me, it destroys 90% of the point of having a wireless throttle. Unless you want to swap your entire system for one that offers two-way (yikes!) wireless throttles, you gotta wait.
Computer-based programming is great. DecoderPro is fantastic (and you can’t beat the price).
I’ve got the Big Book as well as a frequent flyer number at wiringfordcc.com. You don’t need the book. If someone gives it to you, great. Nothing wrong with it, but surely don’t pay big $$$ for it.
Digitrax raido is not that bad to operate. You only have to plug in to aquire your locomotive consist or to program. In an operating session you select yout loco consist and go. I have Digitrax throttle ports at crew change areas, yards and engine terminals. All of my throttles are now wireless, but the yard crews and local switching crews got along fine with teathered throttles. Teathered throttles are a pain for road crews.
I have had “newbies” visit my layout and operate with a Digitrax radio throttle with no problems. The newer UT-4r throttles are great and easy to operate. Would I like to see a duplex Digitrax syetem? YES, but I will get plenty of enjoyment out of my current Digitrax system until then.
One thing I noticed about WiringForDCC.com is that the overall tone of the website is very discouraging for an amateur. Their section about wiring switches for DCC operation alone convinced me never to go that route. For me it was like reading a bad textbook with no pictures. the contents are probably worth it, but the form they’re delivered in just makes them hard to digest.
(I also wish someone, somewhere would have written a DCC tutorial using European equipment, but that’s beside the point.)
I have built and now operating a VERY complex DCC system complete with computer interface (computer runs tains along with me) Full computer CTC to handle the main line plus all the bells and whistles you could want. (in less than 10 months with a 750ft main line not just a circle of track)
How did I do it?
Simple this forum (Randy R Chip and some others) put up with my dumb questions, more than once. I got a copy of a basic DCC book printed in the UK, Got a copy of DCC projects and hung out on the WirringforDCC and Digitrax groups. Thaere are other DCC groups on Yahoo. I do have a copy of the Big Book but the ask and learn is 100% better than the book since the book is very out of date.
Take the money they want for the book and get the TOOLS you need for DCC:
VOM (Rampmeter form Tony’s is a good add on)
A good solderng system and learn how to use it
A good set of Jewlers Screw drivers
A good basic book on circuits (for dummies is good) you would not belive how many times you have to size a resistor in this DCC world.
THen plan you work, work your plan and ASK QUESTIONS that is all their is to DCC.
No Big Book here! Installed the Digitrax Super Chief Radio in 1998 and never looked back. Join the Digitrax Users Group on Yahoo to get answers to any thing related to Digitrax or DCC for that matter. I have not had a minutes trouble in 8 years, pretty impressive in my book. Tweet
And D-U-P-L-E-X … That was what “the guy” at my LHS said. I’m figuring out that he is waaaayyyyy out there… of the Einstein sort. He gave me the scoop on the computer program - just try’en to take it all in. Got me an older laptop to dedicate for the layout. I’ll keep plugging along. I’m sure I’ll be asking plenty of questions as I experiment.
Oh, as a side note; “The Guy” designed and built a lighting kit for passenger cars and such that got “picked up” and is now listed in the Walthers cat. for 2007. I have installed one on a UP heavy weight from Walthers. Per an excellent thread on the boards about passenger car detailing, I put some figures in over the weekend and need to do some painting, shades and what not. Will post a pic next week (as soon as I figure that out…hehehe) and let you all know how the lighting kit works!
On the ramp meter… I’ve got a voltmeter or two laying around. Nothing special - ala RMS. But if needed, can buy one and write it off on taxes…. Hehe. It’s nice to have a side business that needs tools!
Have a nice Weller Station. Anyone try the cordless ones? And there is a new cordless hot glue gun I saw at Home Depot the other day for like $30 - rechargeable. Think it would hold up? And then that nice rechargable D