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DRS-1 RADIO REPEATER for DCS

B bostonrrmanOGR Forum Member

Has anyone investigated or considered use of the TAM DRS-1 with the MTH DCS Sytem? The system is designed to repeat, via RF Radio Repeater, DCC commands directly from a command base to the commanded equipment without the requirement of any electrical connection to the track upon which it operates. Motive power is battery powered, leaving the tracks solely to physically support the trains, and for track signal circuits.

 

I posted this thought on this forum about four years ago in hopes of stirring some creative thought in this direction. I was then and remain confident in my opinion, that given the advancements made in battery technology, the Third Rail's days are numbered.

 

Just think about it, Two Rail O Scale without all of the electrical limitations of two rail powered trains, and being able to use railroad tracks in the very same manner in which the prototype does, supporting rail equipment and prototypical signalling only!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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R RJROGR Forum Member

The DCS system is designed to send data packets via the rails.  My guess is that it would be a complete redesign to send them via RF, but definitely feasible and certainly a goal.  One issue woiuld be how to recharge all those loco & lighted car batteries, which could be several hundred items for many model RRers.

JdevleerjrJdevleerjrOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by RJR:

The DCS system is designed to send data packets via the rails.  My guess is that it would be a complete redesign to send them via RF, but definitely feasible and certainly a goal.  One issue woiuld be how to recharge all those loco & lighted car batteries, which could be several hundred items for many model RRers.

Maybe the locomotive provides head end power just like the prototype.  Only the locomotive needs to be recharged and all the lighted cars just have a daisy chain plug.   

 

I still think battery technology has a long way to go before this is feasible.  It is the one limiting factor in a lot of technologies now.  

C CRHOGR Forum Member

I'm heavily into the large scale world and most people..like 65% prefer conventional track power of some sort. But I do know of a lot of folks that use battery power with either the Aristo-Craft Revolution/ Train Engineer or the CVP Airwire system  with sounds..either QSI or Phoenix but the prices easily add up to 400 - 500 bucks extra per locomotive. 

 

Some folks mix battery power with track power so they don't have to clean the track all the time..and the engines will charge the batteries while it's moving.

 

Me, I've been leaning towards DCS & battery power..I can fit a TIU in a baggage car or boxcar and fill the rest of the car with batteries..it's either that or buy $10.00 per foot stainless steel track

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