Bluetooth Disconnection Problem

You're not alone:  https://ogrforum.com/...ctivity-random-drops

Unless you plan on following it around keeping 10-12 feet distance max, you'll find that BT isn't going to cut it.  I have two of the latest 10-wheelers as well as a new Camelback.  I can't run any of them with BT around my layout 24 x 12 from one end without them dropping out.  The good thing is, I run Legacy and DCS, so I have no problem with them.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Unless you plan on following it around keeping 10-12 feet distance max, you'll find that BT isn't going to cut it.  I have two of the latest 10-wheelers as well as a new Camelback.  I can't run any of them with BT around my layout 24 x 12 from one end without them dropping out.  The good thing is, I run Legacy and DCS, so I have no problem with them.

Hey John, thanks for added info. I’ll try walking around by it. My layout isn’t that large and here I’ve been standing it’s always within 10 feet.

@RickO posted:

You're not alone:  https://ogrforum.com/...ctivity-random-drops

Hey Rick, thanks for this link. I read all the replies there and it sounds like a bad location design. I’ll try a few things and maybe one day I’ll try and move away from Bluetooth. It seemed like a good option since my Diesel engine works so well in the same track. Hate spending this much money on an engine that doesn’t work as expected.

Lionel is changing the BT boards in the engines and their new BASE3 to longer range models.  However, that doesn't help all the existing BT engines that have the short range hardware.  It also does nothing for my short range Universal Remote.

The newer BT5.0 locos should have much longer range.  I now only use the app to adjust the settings and then run with the Universal remote, which does work better as long as the batteries are fresh.

Both sides of the conversation have to have the longer range BT capability or you're limited to the 20 foot range of the existing products.  So, even with a new locomotive with extended range, the existing Universal Remote doesn't benefit from that extended range.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Both sides of the conversation have to have the longer range BT capability or you're limited to the 20 foot range of the existing products.  So, even with a new locomotive with extended range, the existing Universal Remote doesn't benefit from that extended range.

John,

Does the locomotive resident blue tooth radio board or chip have an external antenna?  Can it be re-routed or the board repositioned to improve performance?  I assume answer is negative as I haven't read any threads here with BT tweaks/hacks.

I'm still smarting over the comically poor performance of my fresh purchase $ 600.00 Lionel Diesel w/BT 4.something.

Thanks Eric

@EJN posted:

John,

Does the locomotive resident blue tooth radio board or chip have an external antenna?  Can it be re-routed or the board repositioned to improve performance?  I assume answer is negative as I haven't read any threads here with BT tweaks/hacks.

I'm still smarting over the comically poor performance of my fresh purchase $ 600.00 Lionel Diesel w/BT 4.something.

Thanks Eric

Hey Eric,

I was wondering the same thing.  I was contemplating taking off the loco chassis and see if I can see anything where you could add an antenna or some how extend it too.

-Mike 

The BT module is a stand-alone little board with the antenna printed onto the board.  Although I wonder how well it does buried in the diecast shell, I don't see an easy way to extend it.  Remember, it's already tuned to the frequency, so any extension would have to take the wavelength of the signals into consideration.

OK. Something to think about.

I notice my connection is solid for the first 1-2 minutes before deteriorating rapidly. Not sure why it would be time dependent.  Heat or some kind of buffer overflow issue. Its above my skill and pay grade for sure.

I'll end up calling Lionel about it as its not delivering on the BT feature.

@EJN posted:

I notice my connection is solid for the first 1-2 minutes before deteriorating rapidly. Not sure why it would be time dependent.  Heat or some kind of buffer overflow issue. Its above my skill and pay grade for sure.

That's not unusual, I can frequently connect and run for a minute and then have it disconnect and lose connection.  If I stand right on top of the engine, it'll usually work.  What you're dealing with is the propagation of the 2.4ghz signal between two moving points, both the phone and the engine are moving and changing orientation of the antennas.  Obviously, there are signal dead spots.  When that little antenna that I posted a picture of gets a mass of metal between it and your phone, I suspect the signal suffers.

DUH, no kidding!  Lionel should have thought of that.