Stackm746 posted:I am a bit confused by what seems to be conflicting information. The info from the engineer says that the ground and U wiring should be 2-4 inches apart, yet there is discussion of aluminum tape and foil under the roadbed or plywood which would seem to me to be inside the recommended 2 inches. I am just about to secure the roadbed etc and not certain if I should run aluminum tape under the roadbed? Does Dale's power booster eliminate the need for this ?
Responses are appreciated.
GREG in Wisconsin
I think the foil or sheet aluminum came about from misinformation about what the issue is under an overhead track or also maybe from the use of the term ground "plane". Both ideas are erroneous. Dale M tried to stamp out the word plane, but had little luck. It was too catchy. As stated above, the overhead track or tunnel screens the engine from the overhead signal provided by the house ground wiring in the room. The term is "ground wire" that is the third wire in the house wiring and is what Lionel uses as an antenna. No concept of a "plane" is involved.
The TMCC antenna system is the ground wire overhead and the outside rails of the track. The engine sits in the middle in the ideal situation. As also stated the antenna, the ground wire, and the U terminal, the outside rails, should be kept apart to avoid a capacitive effect from shorting the two together and reducing the signal strength.
