Interesting note about an NCE Accessory

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

The following is from the NCE site regarding their USB interface:

“Add this USB computer interface for computer programming and/or operation of your Power Cab equipped layout. Requires USB cable, computer and railroad computer program such as JMRI Decoder Pro and Panel Pro. Can be used with the PH Pro and PH10 systems. HOWEVER, with the PH systems you can only RUN or OPERATE railroads with it. You can not use the USB Interface to Program decoders.”

I am not sure what sense that makes or if this is an error. You can access this page by going to http://www.ncedcc.com and clicking on Products → Accessories and then scroll to the bottom.

Quite surprised that you cannot program the decoders.

2

Makes you love Digitrax a little bit more…

David B

3

Naw - NCE still has it (personal opinion here) over Digitraxx.

If your computer doesn’t have a serial port just get one of these:

http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&Item=GUC232A

Then you don’t need the accessory board. I haven’t personally tried it with the PH (it’s what I have as well but my comp by the layout has a serial port) but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. They’re cheap too.

-Greg

4

Vicky,

The USB board was developed and made to be used specifically with the Power Cab. The PH Pro already has the RJ-232 port so it doesn’t need the USB port. Since you still have your Power Cab (yes?), you can use it and the USB board at your bench to program and test decoders with a computer.

Tom