DCC Programming: episode 7 - Programming modes

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DCC Programming: episode 7 - Programming modes

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Another fantastic film! Keep up the excellent work Dana

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excellent video sure learn a lot thanks

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Were you using the Zephyr as the booster? Why not use it to program directly and save the hassle of messing with internals of the hand-held throttle…??
I’ve programmed all of my locos with the Zephyr without any problems…

Gus.
CEO of the LC&P RR.

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Hi Gus,
I’ve used the Zephyr in videos before, so this time I wanted to use the handheld DT402 throttle. Part of the goal of these videos is to show a variety of DCC systems. Originally I wanted to use the Digitrax Empire Builder system, but unfortunately I found out during the shoot that the system has a write-only programmer, i.e. it doesn’t support reading back CVs. That’s why I had to connect the handheld to the Zephyr.
Thanks for watching,

Dana Kawala
Senior editor
Model Railroader magazine

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Thanks Dana - another very informative video!

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Nice video. Sometime I get frustrated with this hobby as there almost always is something extra you have to buy or do in order to get results. Example being the booster you needed in the video. I was aware of that issue before I tried dcc sound. I really did not want to buy a 100 sound decoder just to find out I needed a 50+ dollar booster to program the thing. I never plann to have a bunch of locomotives so it would of be wasteful to me. But I did find a deal on a used sound decoder and it programmed fine for me but I don’t know about buying more at full price. Ok ending rant

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I’m confused, Dana. Is the Soundtraxx booster only necessary for Soundtraxx decoders AND only with certain DCC systems?

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I had a problem hearing what he was saying over the engine motor volume and seeing which finger was hitting what button.

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Dana, as usual your videos are infrmative. Thanks.

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Hi Anthony,
The programming track booster works with any sound decoder and DCC system. The firm DCC Specialties also makes a similar product. Not every DCC system requires a programming track booster. You only need one if your system isn’t reading back CV values in service mode. For example, our NCE system reads back all decoders without the booster, but Digitrax Zephyr system needs the booster to read back CVs in all sound decoders, not just SoundTraxx but also Broadway Limited Imports.

I hope this helps clear things up for you,

Dana Kawala
Senior editor
Model Railroader magazine

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Very informative video Dana. Thanks!!

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simon saucy from pennsylvania hi anthony can you use a digitrax chip with a nce controler

thack

pr

14

Could you direct me to programming steam firebox flicker?
on the dcc programming video.