Dale, without going through all 30+ engines on the layout, I have arrived at what I think is a pretty fair generalization based on observed signal strength and engine behavior. Below 32 or so is flat out bad. Readings of 33 to 45 are marginal, and 46 and up is good. Of course, the stronger the better.
I'm leaning toward antenna design, placement and orientation as the key to solving this problem. I want to play with those variables on the test car to see if this theory holds water. As I mentioned earlier in this discussion, I have some early TMCC engines that don't suffer from these signal issues, and I noticed that their antennae are of a vertical, nose mounted design, very different from the horizontal top mounts commonly found in newer diesels.
