Antenna/Ground Plane

these videos might help.

http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve...4860292/m/8682941127

There are two (on one track bridge) or four (on two track bridge) steel structural supports that go under the track and are part of the bridges "deck". These are the load bearing elements of the model. These need to be tied together and then tied off to either earth ground or pin 5 on the command base serial port (which itself is tied to earth ground).

quote:

Originally posted by chuck:
There are two (on one track bridge) or four (on two track bridge) steel structural supports that go under the track and are part of the bridges "deck". These are the load bearing elements of the model. These need to be tied together and then tied off to either earth ground or pin 5 on the command base serial port (which itself is tied to earth ground).

now how do i do this

You run a piece of wire between the two steel supports for the bridge and then run this back to pin 5 on the command base serial port. The wire can be very light gauge as it will be signal only, no appreciable current.

Hi Chuck.now i have legacy base and at the back i see a pin plug in.is this the 5 pin.under that it has the ward [DATA]that look like a pc port.how do i wire to it.
am i on the right track here??

Let me no Chuck...Thanks

If you're not comfortable with the 9 pin socket (note the numbers are embossed right on the socket) and connecting to pin 5 on it, then just connect your extra wire to the house ground on the three wire plug/output...the safety ground.

Ok! Now how do I wier to house ground.I no this is where a plug gos.but how do I just wier to ground.and how many wires can come off the ground because there are 3 areas on my lay out that have this problem.ther is a under over/and a side by side problem.i have atlas track wiered command base wire to 1 out side rail.then I watched Lionel video about ground plan problems and Lionel said you should wire both out side rails if you have atlas track.i did this and it made it not any better.

Pin 5 is pin 5 of the DB-9 data port on the back of the command base. You can get the necessary parts at Radio Shack. You will need a DB-9 MALE shell.


DB-9 crimp style

On the back side of the shell the pin ports are numbered. You only need to use pin 5 so you only need one wire. Attach wire to pin and insert pin into shell.

I don't think side by side is a problem. Do you have a problem there? I think Lionel's video was in error on that, and Dale M. pointed that out in another part of the forum.
I run a wire connected to house ground (pin #5 is the best place to connect to the house ground) around the layout under the table. If I had a track over a track, I would run it just under the top track I think. But side by side, I never had a problem.

If your wall outlets have the U-ground pin, you can attach all of your wires to the screw that holds the cover plate onto the outlet.

Some folks have indeed had problems with multiple parallel tracks, including mainlines and yard areas. A wire between the multiple tracks will help.

Lionel is indeed off base with their video!

I went to RadioShack today and picked up part.Do I run the one wire from pin#5 to ground plan or do I run pin#5 wire to problem spot on lay out.also is it just pin#5 that helps with this.can you use any of the other pin's.
I am trying my best here so bear with me.I am almost there I think.did not have this problem with fast track.but i did not have a under over track plan

Thank you for the info..

You will only use pin 5. Do not use any of the other pins. They have other uses or they are not connected at all.

Run the wire from pin 5 to the metal support struts under the bridge. You can "daisy chain" the wire to get both (or possibly four) support struts that actually support the load under the bridge deck.

Billy, if you have time, I would appreciate a quick test as you install your wire.

1. Check the performance before you start with a troublesome engine.
2. Connect your wire to Pin 5 and run it to the troublesome area without connecting it to anything. See if this improves things.
3. Connect the wire to the support struts and check performance again.

What I hope to learn is how much of the benefit is due to the presence of the new wire, and how much is due to the connected support struts.

We are all still learning the quirks of the TMCC/Legacy signal. This test would help me understand the science a bit better. Thanks in advance.

Hi Dale.this is what i did be for i ran the #5pin.the main plug from the legacy base was pluged into a power strip.and what i did with the main plug from legacy base was to plug it right to the wall outlet.now every thing is working just fine now.I was reading on the internet and some one had the same problem as my self and just put the main plug into a wall outlet and fix the problem. so i did not try what you had said to do.I guess you should not plug your legacy base to a power strip.

quote:

Originally posted by Billy:
Hi Dale.this is what i did be for i ran the #5pin.the main plug from the legacy base was pluged into a power strip.and what i did with the main plug from legacy base was to plug it right to the wall outlet.now every thing is working just fine now.I was reading on the internet and some one had the same problem as my self and just put the main plug into a wall outlet and fix the problem. so i did not try what you had said to do.I guess you should not plug your legacy base to a power strip.

Power strips are not all the same. Your's may have an open connection in the ground circuit. I would check that, tightness of the connection, etc. Also, if you are using a surge protection strip, the signal may be compromised, although I think I can make a case for it working just fine. I am using a surge protection strip with no problems.

Thanks for the update, Billy.

A handy "tool" to have is a tester for wall outlets. It has multiple indicator lights that tell you if the hot and neutral are proper, and if the safety ground is intact. They aren't expensive. You would probably find that your strip has a problem.