Came across this post over the weekend as I was also seeing "Out of RF Range" on my DCS remote upon first start up of new DCS Remote and used Rev L TIU. I had just received both last week and had zero experience with DCS. Have read Barry's DCS book and have read online info. Upon receiving the NOS remote and used Rev L TIU, I updated the TIU software via DCS Consumer Loader v5.0 and then updated the remote ... both updated successfully to version 6.1. Turned on remote and displayed version 6.1 ... so far so good.
So I wired the TIU into my 17x10 ft 2-oval loop layout - - transformer to fixed 1 then on to existing track loop bus; placed PS3 engine on track; turned on the Z4000 transformer; turned on my remote; selected "add engine"; and after couple of seconds got "Out of RF Range" display on remote. Bummer. Went back to Barry's book and looked up error message about Out of RF Range ... offers four reasons for the error message without offering means of fixing same. Went back to computer and Googled "DCS Out of RF Range" and found a number of postings including this one on OGR forum. Noted H1000's comments in second post about syncing TIU/remote addressing. However, that went right over my head as a novice with DCS equipment/operation. I futzed around with no experience on ins and outs of remote/TIU interactions ... tethered remote to TIU; reset TIU via remote, etc, etc, etc -- no joy. Removed TIU from my layout and set up a test bench in my workshop with only transformer, TIU, track section, and wiring from transformer to TIU. Got same error message upon powering up ... "Out of RF Range". Getting really frustrated now. Went back to computer and went to Ray's Electric Trainworks web site as I think he does a good job of explaining the DCS ins and outs. Within Ray's Tips, found following link about ensuring TIU setup is correct in remote ... http://www.rayman4449.com/DCS_...is_correct_in_remote These instructions are the 'hand-holding' that I needed to connect back with H1000's comment about syncing TIU/remote. Anyway, went back to test bench; powered on TIU; counted number of times red LED illuminated and ... turns out this TIU was previously set to TIU address #4. No wonder my remote didn't communicate with it ... remote was looking for TIU address #1. So back to remote to add TIU #4; powered down; then powered up ... and ... remote communicated with TIU and operated correctly; was able to add test stand engine, etc. Success. Subsequently went back into remote and renamed TIU address to #1 since I only have one TIU and one remote at this time. Checked operation again and everything still worked ok.
Next reinstalled TIU into my layout wiring system; crossed my fingers; and powered up. PS3 engine was immediately recognized upon powering up the remote and operated correctly on layout outer loop. Activated switches to move from outer to inner loop and engine made the transition and operated flawlessly on inner loop. So, pleased with functioning DCS outcome.
Wanted to post my experience in case it might help someone else with something as simple as mismatched TIU/Remote address and how to go about fixing same. H1000 and Ray's Electric Trainworks got me up and running.
Regards,
Tom
