Anyone have any luck mounting their TIU under the layout? I am building a small 5 x 8 portable and it sure would simplify everything if the TIU were already wired in and mounted.
thanks
Steve
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Steve,
All 3 of my TIUs are underneath my 13X21 foot around-the-walls layout without any real problems, including an extension from one 21 foot side into an 11 foot closet.
The only time I get any interference at all is if I'm around the corner in the 11 foot L-shaped closet or halfway down the stairs to the first floor from the other 21 foot side of the layout. Both of these positions put two walls and the entire layout between me and the TIUs.
The two TIUs at the far end of the layout have been modified to have their antennas poking up through the tops of the TIUs. This modification is discussed in The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition on page 157.
Thanks Barry. I just looked at that page and it looks like a good option if I have issues. I will try it without the mod first.
Steve
Steve
I had a temporary layout a couple years ago about 4-1/2' x 7' (similar size to yours) made from scrap plywood and 1x4's sitting on saw horses. The TIU was just sitting on a bucket about a foot or so below the layout top and it didn't have any problems. I didn't have the antenna mods as Barry does, but he has a much bigger layout.
At or above track level.
Mine's mounted vertically a foot below the 11 x 16 table and works fine anywhere through multiple walls and upstairs, behind the fridge, filing cabinets, Rev. H TIU
Marty,
When you say "at or above track level", I understand what that means, but in relation to the layout I am now building with a new TIU to install, where is the practical place to do as you recommend? I was hoping to place it just below plywood level on which lowest level track runs. I know I will have to try and see what works. But, I'd appreciate a visual idea of what you mean. My layout is 27' x 14'. Thank you.
There's always an antenna extension if the location causes issues communicating with the remotes. 
John, I know people have tried that. MTH R&D states the length of the antenna wire should not be extended. Several people have made a small hole in the TIU case and extended the antenna verticle and that does help big time. That situation can be experimented with as well as TIU location.
From my observation a TIU on a smaller layout can be put a bit below with success. On medium and large layouts, at or above works better.
I appreciate the advice, Marty. Thank you.
Marty, I did the hole in the case method, and that did help. I also tried extending it for a full wave antenna, and I did get additional range, though not as much as I expected.
If you do extend the antenna, you'd want to tune it, that's trimming to the proper length. For 900mhz, that would be 33.3cm or 13.1 inches total. That would be a full wave antenna. You can also go half that for a half-wave using half the length.
On the subject of TIU placement, I would note that once I had them sdtacked vertically, 2" apart on dowel spacers. There was considerable reduction in range. Also, you don't want chickenwire or metal creening between remote & TIU.
As a side note, one of my remotes, an original issue, seems to have shorter range than the other 3. I have to check this out further.
