How relevant are signal strenght results?

If you're not experiencing any problems running trains, don't worry about it.

Yesterday I was running my RK Imperial 0-6-0 and it just quit.  Got a message to "Check Track".

Nothing had changed (I figured maybe dirty track and/or wheels), so I turned off the layout then turned it back on.  Engine came up fine and worked until I shut everything down for the night.

It could have been dirty track/wheels but I haven't cleaned them yet.  It seems like this happens shortly after I run the engine with the smoke turned on, maybe the smoke oil is getting to the track.

Again, I wouldn't worry about getting the infamous "10" unless you're having problems.

I agree with Bob. I haven't checked my signal for years and ignore "check track" message and I've never had a problem running my engines.

If it ain't broke - don't fix it.

To be honest with you, I don't even know how to check the signal strength (although I'm sure it's easy enough to do).  Never used that feature because I have never needed to.  I have rearranged my track configuration several times already in an effort to get something I can live with, and I just fire things up and they go.  Isn't that the way it's supposed to be? 

Allan,

 I don't even know how to check the signal strength (although I'm sure it's easy enough to do).

This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!

Bob:

Back to the root question;

The only time a signal strength reading is totally accurate is with the engine stopped.

This too is in Barry's book  ;-) Which I have both Versions of.

I suggest you try watching the strength at about 3 SMPH around the loop, I expect the numbers will improve. The slower the speed, the more accurate the reading is.

If this does not help (and noting you say one engine reads good signal), On  a poor reading engine, try cleaning the Pickup rollers and drive wheels with a good solvent then using a conductive lube in the pickup roller pin.

Corrosion is consistently not conductive of power or signal. Since the signal is the smaller of the two if will be affected more.

The Conductive lube isn't required as I have none and get good signals.

It can help troublesome pickup rollers tho.

Yes Barry I already have your book. I have it next to the layout. Some of the stuff is neat to read and a good reference in case I want to ever get more sophisticated

I was doing all my testing at 35 MPH. Reducing to 3 seems to improve results. Insted of steady 0-3 readings in weak areas, I get wide swings.

I'm an engineer and like to read numbers.

But I'm going to take the advice of the other comments and get back to scenery.

On a side note. I much prefer DCS over Legacy  (I have both now).

If the functions you want all work, I'd leave things alone unless I were seeking a mental challenge.  It is my understanding that the feature that needs the strongest signal is to use the mike through the loco speaker, and as far as I'm concerned that's a waste anyway.

 Are you getting double responses from commands you send? Any time is the engine getting check track messages or any loss of control?

 If so, just try adding the recommended bulbs at various points of your wiring connections.

 If not, don't worry about it!

 Nice plug Barry! (again)

Joe,

 Nice plug Barry! (again)

Shameless, that's me!

New twist. Removed TIU and took handheld and TIU to friends' house. But didn't use my TIU. My handheld and my engine on his layout got 9-10 readings. Reinstalled TIU on my layout. Did signal strenght on two engines. Now getting 10s everywhere!!

I'm now suspicious of signal test. Results are too good. There should be an occasional value less than 10? This is a 150' layout.