On Wednesday evening, 4/17/13, we conducted the 15th York DCS User Group meeting We had our usual strong turnout and everyone appeared to have a great time.
In addition to an informative technical Q&A session with answers from DCS beta testers and other DCS "veterans", we had presentations by Andy Edleman, assisted by Rich Foster, of MTH, and Dave Hikel of Hikel O Gauge Trains.
I'd like to personally thank Marty Fitzhenry, Don Snyder and Jim Osborne, who performed DCS upgrades for those who desired them, and Ben Fiorello (bluelinec4) who served as scribe for our meeting and prepared the following meeting summary. Please be assured that any errors in the following were more than likely introduced by yours truly during the editing process.
I hope to see you all in October at the 16th York DCS User Group Meeting! 
15th York DCS User Group Meeting
Wednesday, 4/17/2013
Barry Broskowitz opened the meeting at 7:05 pm and welcomed everyone. We then observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.
Barry refrained from telling any of his bad jokes and, instead, praised his wife Cora for some access related help on his layout. Everyone enjoyed the story and Cora received a well-earned round of applause!
Barry informed all that the bug fix for the speed scrolling problem is currently in beta testing.
Barry then opened the floor to questions
Q: When will the DCS remote remove the scroll wheel?
A: MTH is currently developing “next generation” products for its current DCS hardware. All input that was previously defined at our meetings was submitted and is under consideration. Some of the things were to get rid of the thumbwheel, add a color screen, etc. We may see this in the near future.
Q: Why am I having problems downloading the DCS Loader Program?
A: Try installing Mozilla first and try it again. Some versions of Internet Explorer have “issues”.
Q: Can you use an AIU to trigger timed events?
A: The AIU is just a box of relays. Some of them are momentary and some of them can be set to a have constant on. That is the capability. There might be a way of using these to trip time delay relays. Jim Barrett offered everybody a chance to stop by the OGR booth for AIU connectivity demonstrations.
Q: How do you keep the batteries from dislodging in the remote?
A: It was suggested that users should exercise care with the remote as the battery compartment tends to dislodge the batteries when it is dropped or jostled. Some people add foam to the inside of the battery door. There are also some batteries on the market that are slightly shorter than others and will more easily lose momentary contact, thereby causing the remote to turn off.
Q: Are there any programs available to control DCS with a computer?
A: Currently, Dave Hikel has developed a system, sanctioned and supported by MTH, that requires a PC and allows control from smartphones and tablets. Later in the meeting, Dave will be presenting a smartphone and tablet app for controlling a DCS layout that doesn’t require a PC.
Q: I am having problems controlling lashups when I am using the All mode. It works fine with all PS2 engines but not with a mix of PS2 and PS3.
A: All Mode will only work if engines and lashups are in the active engine list. Barry suggested to investigate further and compare the active engine list vs. engine control problems.
Q: My remote seems to slow down in All Mode.
A: The remote sends more commands in All Mode. It is addressing multiple engines and there may be a slight latency due to this.
Q: Why do I get the message ENGINE NOT ON TRACK and later on all will work fine?
A: There is a possibility that the remote you are using has a loose transceiver board. This will cause it to work intermittently.
Q: If I add the wrong TMCC ID for an engine can I change it?
A: Yes, you can change the ID by editing the engine’s TMCC address in the remote.
A discussion was held that came to the conclusion that many questions from DCS operators could have been answered if they just read the documentation. Barry stated that often people asking him questions say they have his book, and he answers by quoting the page in the book that contains the answer.
Another discussion was held in reference to All mode. It seemed a user was having problems controlling trains in a multi-TIU environment. Based on the details of the problem, the consensus was that it was either a possible hardware problem or operator error.
Andy Edelman from MTH took the floor at 7:45 PM and stated the following:
- Feedback from users is very important and MTH is attempting to incorporate many of the suggestions from users into the next generation DCS system.
- Dave Krebiehl and Jason Wenzel (MTH R&D) are currently developing new, next generation DCS H/W and S/W.
- DCS is currently being expanded with new hardware on the horizon. DCS is an aging system and is limited by its older technology and software. MTH is currently working to design a new TIU and remote.
- MTH will be offering an APP for tablets and smartphones that will run DCS trains. The current TIU hardware will need an add-on wi-fi adapter to the TIU to use it, however, the next generation TIUs will have the adapter built-in.
- There is beta code in testing that addresses most of the current DCS bugs.
- The DCS code currently running is 13 years old and is limited by the current hardware design. The next generation hardware will have more capacity for larger programs and will provide increased functionality.
- “Talk on the street” was that there were many Rev. L failures, however, there doesn’t seem to be many coming back to MTH for repair. MTH is investigating the causes of failure for those that have actually been returned for service.
- After much discussion regarding computer interfaces, MTH management decided that MTH did not want to support such a product. Therefor, MTH enlisted Hikel O Gauge (Dave Hikel’s company) to develop such a system. MTH is supporting Dave and his company in this effort.
- Many people are still asking for a sound file editor. There is much more to the sound files than just a whistle or a bell. It is very complicated and a sound file editor will not be offered anytime soon.
- PS3 upgrade kits are being developed and will be available when the PS2 kits are exhausted. It will not have the wireless drawbar as that would require major modifications to the engine and tender. PS3 also uses LEDs, requiring that the lighting will also need to be replaced. The boards in PS3 kits will include the DCC capability of PS3, as well as all other PS3 functions.
- The S scale catalog is available and engines should be shipping by the end of 2013. Rolling stock will follow in 2014.
- The O gauge catalog is available online and is one of the largest MTH has ever produced, with 996 unique product numbers. The print version will be in the mail the week of 4/28.
Andy turned the floor over to Dave Hikel to demonstrate the future, new smartphone/tablet app.
Dave stated the following
- There are actually three products that currently are, or will be, available to control DCS layouts from Hikel O Gauge:
- The currently available product requires a PC and allows full layout automation from the PC, smartphones and tablets. This includes the abillity to throw switches, activate accessories, run trains, display train locations, automate train operations, and much, much more than can be done from today’s DCS Remote.
- Later this year, there will be a free smartphone/tablet app available that will let the user perform basic train control. There will be a requirement to purchase a wi-fi adapter to make this work, however, a PC will not be required.
- Following that, there will be a paid-for APP that will provide more functionality and will surpass the current DCS remote. Again, a PC will not be required, although a wi-fi adapter for current TIUs will be required.
- All of this software was, or will be, developed by Hikel O Gauge at the request of one of his customers to fully automate a layout.
- Dave explained that wired, in addition to wi-fi, connections to the TIU will also work with the app.
- Dave showed a PowerPoint presentation with screenshots from the proposed app
- The app does more than just running trains. There is also a main menu that allows the operator to look at MTH catalogs, get MTH news and conduct product searches.
- When operating an engine, a speedometer is displayed and the throttle is set by tapping speed up or down.
- Momentum adjustments and labor chuffing can be made through the screen.
- Smartphones and tablets have much more memory than the older DCS equipment and allow for greater capabilities. The app will be able to do much more than the DCS remote.
- The whistle is controlled by pulling a graphic cord on the screen
- For the current PC-based system, every layout is an individual and will typically require consulting support from Hikel O Gauge. This begins with a track plan being submitted for development.
- The App contains icons for engines, accessories, variable tracks, and switches, all of which are very easy to select.
- The app will increment voltage in smaller steps than does the current DCS remote.
- The app will allow resetting after an E-Stop without having to power everything off.
- There will be a capability to back up all information configured in the app.
- There will be different versions of each app, depending upon how the smartphone or tablet implements graphics.
The meeting was adjourned after Dave’s presentation.
Were there any questions or queries passed along to the MTH reps about customer service delays/or difficulties in getting warranty service? Also,I've always wondered why the limitation of FYS/PSA scenarios on an engine? Gets a little boring to play the limit range of announcements and stops. Since the proto 3.0 is supposed to have much more increased memory, did they give you any insight to future uploads? Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun. When I officially, retire and have more time, I'd like to attend sometime....
