After downloading, install and you will see 2 icons appear on your desktop.
Decoder Pro is for programming your decoders and Panel Pro is for operating your switches (wont be covered in this Tutorial).
Double click on the Decoder Pro Icon and then a preference dialogue will appear.
If this dialogue doesnt appear, click on EDIT and then PREFERENCES. That will bring you to the connection dialogue.
From the LAYOUT CONNECTION drop box, scroll down to LOCONET SIMULATOR. Click on Save. Decoder Pro will now restart.
When DP has restarted, click on Service Mode Programming (we wont bother with Operation mode as this is the mode you use when you have a connection to your layout).
When you click on Service Mode Programming, you will notice a drop down list of pretty much every decoder ever produced. To select your decoder, click on the MFG, then choose from the daughter lists. In this case, we are looking for a BLI RSD15 decoder. We need to know that the decoder is produced by QSI and that the version number of the decoder is 7.
Good stuff, David! [tup] Even though I don’t have an extra computer (or port…yet) to hook one up to my DCC system, I am looking forward to that aspect in the future at some point. This thread will be helpful for when that time does come.
Thanks for the effort in putting this tutorial together. [:)] We need more of these sorts of threads.
Sweet, so basically, Dave, you use this tool as a way to know what CV’s to punch down in the basement (or wherever) where your programming track is, correct? That is a GREAT idea (so I won’t be flipping thru like 10000 pages of manuals!
Great… hey Dave, I haven’t dug into it yet (I downloaded it ), but I was wondering, what are the spec’s required for the Java… could I run it on an old Pentium III notebook or so?
I use this program but wanted to add that my computer is a new one without any db 9 outputs. I needed a db9 to usb adapter and they are 40 bucks at circuit city or radio shack. I got mine from e-bay for 10 bucks including shipping. Just make sure what you order comes with software. mine did .
Incredible work, thanks very much ! I’ve never bothered with decoder pro, as our pc is in a different part of the house, and it isn’t worth it to me to hook it up to the layout.
With this help, I get the best of both worlds; use of Decoder Pro, and still don’t have to hassle with my pc/layout hookup !
It’s already shown me several cvs in my digitrax decoders that I didn’t know about and/or wasn’t sure how to use them.
You don’t necessarily need the software. Windows XP is usually pretty good at figuring out what USB devices are. The thing you have to watch out for is that on laptops circa 2003 and newer, the manufacturer lowers the USB port output power from the standard voltage, to something like 0.65v. This screws with a lot of USB adapter typr things. I’ve had the most trouble with cables of about 1 meter on up, though some of the short adapters are still finicky.
Minimum Java Version 6 Update 3 (for Windows)requirements:
Looks like all you need ais a Pentium I processor, though it won’t be running Win 2k all that well. However, you could just get Linux and install the latest *nix version of java (I would be very surprised of there wasn’t a Linux compatible installer for DecoderPro)
