This may be a silly question, but, here goes: Is there any possibility of interference between a DCC radio system on a model railroad and a computer network using a router in the same house?
I am going to be doing both reasonably soon, and that thought had crossed my mind. I rather doubt that there would be a problem, but just in case there could be, I am throwing it out there to see if anyone had ever experienced it and what they did to prevent it !
Thanks.
They use highly discrete digitally-tuned frequencies, so I would be very surprised.
No, the DCC radio system uses a very narrow band of frequencies allocated by the FCC within the 900 MHz range that is close to those used by cell phones, and your router should be in a range that is quite different.
I’ve used both with no interference problems.
Right beside my command station I have a computer that is wirelessly connected to my home network. Wirelessly connected to that network are 4 computers, 2 printers, one network storage system, 2 DirecTV DVRs, 1 3D Blu-Ray player, and from time to time, 1 B&N Nook Color and 1 Droid RAZR smart phone.
There is no interference with my Digitrax Duplex system.
Digitrax Duplex is in the 2.4GHz band, so in theory in the same band as home routers. However there are many channels in this band. Digitrax has a utility that lets you see which has the least traffic so you can force the DCC system to move away from other devices. My Duplex system is in the same room as a wireless router and cordless phone, no issues here either.
Been doing that for maybe seven years and no issues.
Rich
About the only thing that will kill 2.4GHz anythign is a microwave oven. In your typical countertop model with the controls to the right of the door, anything to the left of the door will get pounded. This happens with 2.4GHz cordless phones, 2.4GHz wifi, and 2.4GHz Digitrax duplex radio. The microwave is all over the band so channel hoppign and spread spectrum doesn’t help when it gets inundated with a leaky microwave oven. Otherwise, multiple devices will coexist quite happily, the protocols used for the 2.4GHz band are designed to allow this.
WHat DOESN’T get along is the DIgitrax SImples 900MHz radio and the NCE radio. The NCE radios will alwyas completely swamp the Digitrax recievers, rending them useless. This happens at every multiple club display venue we set up in, we have to use 2.4GHz duplex exclusively if there is an NCE club in the room.
–Randy
Thanks guys. Looks like there won’t be any problem.
You are doomed!!
You are doomed!!