WiFi

Why not, the 802.11 (WiFi) standard has been around since the late 90's and it won't be going anywhere as there are no plans to supersede with something newer. WiFi is integrated into so many products and along with Bluetooth (802.15 standard), it standard feature included on any modern smart phone & tablet.

Invest heavily?  If you have cable coming into your house that you get phone and internet from you likely already have WiFi available.  You can get a simple router/access point to get you train control.  

From a train control perspective I come at this differently.  Why you need to communicate over the rails for both DCS or Legacy/TMCC is really and truly dated.  Control of future engines etc. is really best done with WiFi or Bluetooth.  You can get a tablet or smart phone that does both for less than $100. 

 

I was a skeptic also and now really like running my trains from WiFi. I use my old I phone. 

Standards like wifi and bluetooth are going to offer backwards compatibility, so when they enhance the standards (for example, when they offered the faster N and now AC wifi), it allows the other older protocols to work as well, same with bluetooth, they aren't going to cut off people like that, they aren't apple computer because these are industry protocols. 

I agree that it is high time they get rid of the going through the rails nonsense (or the house wiring as with tmcc and legacy), wifi or higher power versions of bluetooth can easily cover the layout without worrying about ground planes, dirty track and the like. Pretty easy to hook up wifi repeaters as well for areas where wifi reception isn't great, they are pretty cheap these days. 

Gene H, you mention using an old IPhone. Do you mean a phone you’ve replaced and is no longer an active phone? If that is so, that would be something I would definitely consider as I have 2 old IPhones.

Thanks for the posts. It’s time for me to invest in WiFi. 

My only complaint with the current generation of WiFi from Lionel and MTH is they went with the lowest standard, 802.11b.  If you connect to your home network router and are using the WiFi box, it slows down everything as the slow traffic is a bottleneck for all other faster traffic.

Is there a tutorial that explains how this is set up? Are only blue tooth locos able to connect? Thanks 

gunrunnerjohn posted:

My only complaint with the current generation of WiFi from Lionel and MTH is they went with the lowest standard, 802.11b.  If you connect to your home network router and are using the WiFi box, it slows down everything as the slow traffic is a bottleneck for all other faster traffic.

Hey John, 

Just get an inexpensive wireless router to be used only with your DCS and or Lionel stuff.   Since you're not looking for gigabit speeds for internet with it, many can be found under $50.

Just don't hook it to the internet, and only have you WIU connect to it, and you won't slow down the rest of your house wifi.

I started doing that with the wireless router I use on stage at festival shows for my in-ear monitor mixer that is controlled by my phone.   When not on the road, I use it with my DCS WIU, and all is well, and it's not competing for bandwidth with my main router.

Anyway, just an idea.

I have my 3 DCS WIU's connected via Ethernet. Unfortunately, I can't connect LCS the same way. It may be time to dump the LCS module and just use the DCS App for Legacy and TMCC WiFi. My sole Legacy loco, TMCC accessories and ERR Mini Commander-converted cars work just fine using the DCS App.

Barry, MTH did a much better job, at least IMO, on the WiFi adapter.  The Ethernet and the ability to configure the WiFi manually is a huge plus.  The downside of the MTH one is you need a bunch of them for a big layout.

John,

The Ethernet and the ability to configure the WiFi manually is a huge plus.  The downside of the MTH one is you need a bunch of them for a big layout.

I completely agree.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

My only complaint with the current generation of WiFi from Lionel and MTH is they went with the lowest standard, 802.11b.  If you connect to your home network router and are using the WiFi box, it slows down everything as the slow traffic is a bottleneck for all other faster traffic.

John,

The WIU connects at 802.11n speeds, but the LCS WiFi is only able to connect at the (really old) 802.11b speeds.

I have a "big layout"  with three TIU's, so three Wi-Fi.  The DCS wi-fi is a home run.  No more "engine not on track."  The cost of the DCS wi-fi for my layout is about the cost of 1 new PS3 engine.  All in, a no-brainer.

John

Ross posted:

Gene H, you mention using an old IPhone. Do you mean a phone you’ve replaced and is no longer an active phone? If that is so, that would be something I would definitely consider as I have 2 old IPhones.

I use an old iPhone and iPad to run both the MTH and Lionel apps. Only WiFi - the telecom is deactivated and only on my new iPhone. The old phone works great. I’ve removed most of the apps except for Safari and Notes. No mail, iTunes or other stuff like that. I also have two old phones and had one dedicated to Lionel and and the other to MTH. But I like the Lionel Legacy cab so I use that more than the phone. My MTH remote has never worked well, so I use the app for DCS.

Thanks, TRRENTSCHLER for the confirmation on using old phones.  Now to find that router I replaced!

 

 

Out of curiosity, what constitutes a big layout? I'm looking to go DCS WiFi later this year and my layout occupies an area in the basement 16'x25'. Will one unit suffice in this space? Thanks.

Jim,

It depends on how many TIUs you have. You'll need one MTH WIU per TIU.

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This and a whole lot more about DCS WiFi is all in MTH’s “The DCS WiFi Companion 2nd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Barry, I'm having issue with the premium app, and my android phone. I have purchased the premium app, and installed it on our IPAD, and grandsons IPOD without issue.

However, I'm missing something somewhere. On the Android, galaxy S4, when I set up app, I select WIU. Then when I go to more, upgrade, before I can purchase Premium, a page pops up saying "you must replace the DCS explorer hardware with a DCS WIU and TIU. I've deleted the app, restarted the phone, reloaded the app, and same thing happens.  For some reason, the system is being read as DCS set up instead of WIU system.

any suggestions?

Jim,

The message is intentional and well-meaning.

It's intended, to paraphrase MTH, "...to prevent someone who is using a DCS Explorer and accidentally set the app to WIU, from purchasing an upgrade that they cannot use...".

Regardless, just tap "Continue" and then complete the upgrade.

BTW, its also in the iOS (Apple) version of the app.

Thanks, Barry. I'll try tonight.

NYC Z-man

you need a WIU for each TIU.  That drives your needs.  I have three TIUs, so thats the answer for me.  Ia not entirely sure how the layout builder settled on 2 vs. 3 vs. 4, but the WIU's and the wi-fi app work.  I had the layout for years before WIU came out.  Pre WIU, my new engines were split between Atlas and Lionel.  Now nearly all MTH, and wi-fi is the reason.

Hope that helps.

John

NYC Z-MAN posted:

Out of curiosity, what constitutes a big layout? I'm looking to go DCS WiFi later this year and my layout occupies an area in the basement 16'x25'. Will one unit suffice in this space? Thanks.

Let me know Jim, and I'll bring stuff over for you to try.