Joe,

Thanks so much for providing this because you just helped me pick out a DCC system for the future.  I too desire to have wireless throttles.

Also thanks for the incite on BLI sound engines.  My only problem is that a day prior to watching your seminar I purchased 2 SD9 units with sound.  Now I wish I had it the other way around.  No wonder I got them for more then half price.  Oh, well.

Now what about Kato's SD40-2 with working ditchlights?  They too come with a decoder but to become DCC you need to add another decoder.  Will I have the same problem as the BLI units with programming this Kato engine?

I just watched all four segments, very helpful, next best thing to being there - better if you compare the cost. 

I model N scale and am a bit concerned about instauling decoders. I am by no means good at soldering.  Glad to see they have come down in price - still hunding for that $11 - $15 decoder, but find lots in the $20's.  I'd probably start out with the Atlas drop ins anyway, I have a few late model Atlas GP9's. 

I have the MRH DVD collection coming - ordered before New Years - but hear they are on the way, I live in Canada so a month intransit if not unheard of - much longer if Customs decides to check the DVD's to make sure they do not contain the secrets of nuclear warfare. Anyway I think one of those DVD's is on DCC, want to have a good look at that one.

My layout is 40" x 110" (reconfigured 4x8) and is accessable from one side and one end.  It rolls so you can access either side - but not without rolling the layout and causing a major earthquake in my wee town.  The PowerCab is on top of my list of which DCC to buy at the moment, the Zephyr Xtra Is running a close second. 

I know wireless is a big deal, on big layouts, but beside running the trains from my arm chair I don't see the advantage, seven feet of cable will give me more than enough reach.  I have never had anyone else come to run my trains so I'm looking at single operator.  Besides there would be barely room for two people. The layout takes up 2/3rds of the small room and I am left with a 24" aisle the length of the layout, and about 36" at the end.  

Is there any advice that you would give N-gaugers? 

FKD:

You have checked the N scale decoder install examples in issue 1, have you not?

That article gives 3 different kinds of installs, and so should give you the flavor of what N scale decoder installs may involve. Each install includes a click-n-spin of the final install with the shell off, so you can study it to see how it goes in.

I've done four locos now, and the simplest option is always the drop-in replacements.  It is also the most expensive option, too.  Still, with the limited space in N scale locos, the drop-ins tend to be worth it if you don't like or aren't any good at soldering.  But I think you can still put one of the less expensive generic decoders in yourself with a little care and a lot of patience.  Follow the examples in issue #1 of MRH.  The biggest hurdle is fitting them in the small space, which is why the drop-ins are so handy.  I don't think you'll find anything that will fit in an N scale loco for under $20, though. 

I've read an awful lot of stuff about installing DCC decoders in N-Scale stuff and I still don't know what to do because it seems to me that those who write the articles aren't really able to explain it ro neophytes like me. I love what DCC gives you and I do have a number of Kato's with DCC decoders but I didn't install them. I either had opne of my Brooklyn N-trak buddies do ir or bought them with the decoders already installed. However I od have at least one new one that needs a decoder installed. Help! To bad they publish a book entiled Installing DCC Decoders for Dummies.

I know that Litchfield station used to do this kind of thing regularly but they haven't spoken about it since their ownership changed.

Irv

I have not read Issue I - but I will.

Once a DCc Decoder is installed can I still run that train on a DCC track?  I bought one of those 44 Ton Bachmann engines - came DCC equiped, but have not run it yet. 

Is there an index of the articles in the MRH? 

FKD

I just read the article - Hmmm, I think I'll be sticking to drop in decoders - but might give one of the less expensive alternatives a try, but only after some success with the drop ins.

Thanks