@gunrunnerjohn posted:Sounds like you will likely need a boost! I suspect you'll also need to apply some of the other approaches to minimizing TMCC signal issues. I believe that the NJ-HR has around 7,000 feet of track, and I know they don't run TMCC without a buffer.
I sent you an email to your profile address.
Yup. We have 7000 feet of track and we've been running the buffer since John put it out. Before that we were running Jim Lefebreve's analog (tubes!) TMCC booster (which I believe was the inspiration for Dale's buffer.) Even with that the TMCC signal can be iffy in places so we've spend a lot of time running ground wires on telephone poles ABOVE the track. It's made a huge difference in problematic areas. Especially in tunnels as a lot of our scenery is made from wire mesh (Faraday cage!) I emphasis above as in the past there was a thought that a "ground plane" under the track was the way to go. But no! The outside rail and the diecast boiler of steamers can block this signal. Diesel antennas tend to be on the top of the engine and steamer antennas tend to be the boiler handrails so above them by a couple of inches is the way to go.
I attached a hints and tips sheet I put together after several discussions with a Lionel electronics engineer who designed the latest Legacy engine radios. He reviewed it and gave it his unofficial stamp of approval. We worked with him on beta testing the radios that went into the VL Bigboys and from then on.
We've used his points whenever possible and we now have pretty reliable TMCC/Legacy operation.
While I was putting this together Bob D. from our club posted about the importance of wiring segregation. We're talking about the same thing.
Good luck with the build and make sure you post progress pictures!
