Basic 3R Remote Control Question

You got it right.

Thank you Vernon!  Now I can go to sleep.

There are two additional model train control wireless signal formats currently in the marketplace: bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

@MainLine Steam posted:

  In the case of TMCC/Legacy the track is basically used as an antenna and the locomotive uses a wireless receiver to get the commands.

Actually, to get specific about Tmcc/Legacy.

One side of the signal is sent from the command base to the outer rails of the track. The other side of the signal is sent through the ground lug on the base wall wart and broadcast through the ground wiring in the walls of your train room.

The difference of these two signals represents the command, which is picked up by the antenna on the loco.

Thank you, @RickO, I thought there was a more correct answer for TMCC/Legacy.

Chuck

@RickO posted:

Actually, to get specific about Tmcc/Legacy.

One side of the signal is sent from the command base to the outer rails of the track. The other side of the signal is sent through the ground lug on the base wall wart and broadcast through the ground wiring in the walls of your train room.

The difference of these two signals represents the command, which is picked up by the antenna on the loco.

Thank you very much Rick for the clarification!  Before posting this I spent HOURS trying to sort thru everything.  As you correctly surmised I was looking for a specific answer to EXACTLY how these systems work.

The great thing about the internet is any information you need is there.  The horrible thing about the internet is trying to sort through that information.  I came across sometimes conflicting information, but tried to evaluate it based on where it came from.  I know this comes as a great shock to anyone who has ever used to internet to dive deep into a subject.  LOL

Anyhow I was hoping not only to learn it myself, but to condense this COMPARISON into one thread, so hopefully someone in the future can find it in one place.

I have some further questions SPECIFIC to LionChief (based on this information, that i how I think I want to proceed).  I am going start a separate thread specific to just that system.