Multiple DCS Remote Commander bases?

I don't think that will work well, when the two start transmitting a similar (but not exactly the same time), I suspect it'll scramble the commands.  I can't imagine this will work well.

I'd consider some mirrors or at least glass covered pictures to reflect the beams.  There are also IR repeaters available, typically used for remote TV controls, that would maybe help cover the room.

I like the remote commander...it suits my needs perfectly.  But, as noted, in a large room it often does not perform reliably from all places where someone might be using the remote.  I was wondering if by using it in passive mode if it was mounted upside down on the ceiling in the middle of the room if that would help.  (barring obstructions like a stairway or furnace, etc.) 

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I don't think that will work well, when the two start transmitting a similar (but not exactly the same time), I suspect it'll scramble the commands.  I can't imagine this will work well.

I'd consider some mirrors or at least glass covered pictures to reflect the beams.  There are also IR repeaters available, typically used for remote TV controls, that would maybe help cover the room.

Yup, an IR repeater might do it for me. I had the same concern that multiple DCS commands at very slightly different times would garble the data package being received. 

I tried ceiling mounting but the arthritis in the hands won't cooperate with the necessary position of remote.

Still thinking about mirrors (actually any shiny surface-aluminum foil should reflect IR beautifully).

Lew

It just has to be in the line of sight and you have to have the remote generally pointed in it's direction.

I'd consider a DCS Explorer. It's wifi, so you can operate trains with you phone or tablet. If you only have one or two DCS locomotives it might be better for you then fooling around with mirrors. 

The DCS explorer is limited in the amount of track power it can handle, and it won't work in passive mode.

In this OGR thread a so-called "RF battery" was used to convert the DCS Remote Commander from line-of-sight infrared to RF.  Here's the photo from the thread.

I had to think about it for a while but it's quite a clever gadget … albeit somewhat spendy.

So you pop out one of the AAA batteries in the DCS remote and replace it with an "RF battery".  Now, when you press a remote button, the "RF battery" simultaneously sends an RF signal in addition to the infrared signal.  You place the purple base unit somewhere in the vicinity of the DCS base unit.  The purple base unit receives the RF signal and converts it back to infrared for the DCS base unit to receive.  So it's kind of like an IR Repeater...except the link from remote to repeater is RF.

If you're a determined DIY'er, I can imagine cobbling together something like this using low-cost eBay electronic modules for, say, less than $10 out-of-pocket.