Nothing Fancy Here
This Website Is Always Under Reconstruction.
The reason of the continual reconstruction is to keep up with the ever changing world of DCC.
Digital Command Control is the Wave of the Future for controlling your model railroad empire.
Paul Mallery (the author on many books on the electrical wiring of a DC controlled layout) most likely described the future of DC operation the best when he said: DC is "DEAD" Let it Rest!
Understanding of the basics eliminates confusion
There is one point of order concerning DCC that is often assumed and that one point is that all portions of the DCC command system are governed by the NMRA Standards and Recommended Practices. This is a gross misconception. The only portion of the DCC command system that is standardized is that point where the command station comes into contact with the decoder which just happens to be at the rails. The DCC command system manufacturers are allowed to create any kind of command network they desire thus while any DCC command system can control any decoder where the feature sets match you will find that most of the command level equipment is command system dependent.
Knowledge makes decision making easier
There is four points of order concerning DCC that many people keep forgetting.
The first is that every layout/modeler is unique so the DCC command configuration for that layout will be unique.
The second is that in order for a modeler to derive the most appropriate configuration of the equipment for his, or her, particular set of circumstances he, or she, must know what is available by doing his own homework.
The third is compromise is always part of the picture. The Modeler must prioritize what is important and make adjustments accordingly.
The fourth is knowledge and experience are power. The more you know the less problems you will encounter that you cannot solve in short order.
It is easy to ask questions on the various lists and forums found on the internet, but it is difficult to determine fact from opinion. The best starting place to learn about DCC is to read one of the books about the DCC. The next step is to read the various advertisements by the various DCC manufacturers. Read everything available where possible for even the most unrelated bit of information may prove itself useful at some point in the future. Most of the major DCC manufacturers provide manuals for their products online for the downloading. Many of the major model railroading magazines have had numerous articles about the various aspects of DCC. This gives the modeler a chance to do research about a product before purchasing and give the modeler a point of reference.
Taking notes is usually a great way of keeping track of your findings because:
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It is possible to overlook pieces of information while reading the various manuals, books and magazine articles. |
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It is possible to misunderstand information while reading the various manuals, books and magazines. |
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It is possible to forget information read from the various manuals, books and magazines. |
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If you do not read the various manuals, books and magazines you will not be able to obtain useful information, misunderstand poorly written material on advanced topics, or even forget important/trivial information. |
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Keep in mind that manuals, books, magazines and even DCC experts can occasionally be wrong. |
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Keep in mind that manufacturers tell you what they want you to know which is not always what you need to know. |
Not all advice can be considered reliable or realistic
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Reviewers (and users) are often biased |
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Manufacturers want to sell their products |
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Not everything is as it seems |
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DCC is in a constant state of change. |
Do your own research by reading the manuals, books, magazines and listen to what others are saying.