Wireless DCC

QSI has a nice system. A Decoder with the airwire system. Decoder can run off track or battery power. I have installed it in a G Gauge Bachmann and it runs and sounds great. Definetly not plug and play though. You should have their software interface system with it so that it can programmed on a computer. This has to be run through a DCC power booster for G gauge. Unless you have DCC already the start up cost jumps quickly.
    Setting the chuff rate is an experience in itself. It works off of the motor's back feed. you need to tweak the CV's every five MPH to sync the decoder to the wheel rotation. The good point of this is there doesn't need to be any magnets or micro switches installed and once set everything can be saved as a file on you computer so it is available if ever again needed.

http://www.qsisolutions.com/products/index.html

That's an interesting solution too.  I email CVP once about adapting the AirWire to three rail since it seemed like it would be easy with new locomotives since they use DC motors.  You could go with batteries or use the track for power via a rectifier.  I thought it would work, but they were not encouraging.

The beauty of the Tam Valley unit is that it is not at all proprietary.  It just takes the DCC signals from the command station, sends them wirelessly and the antenna at the other end just receives it.  So you can use any DCC system and (I think) any decoder.

 

Since the track doesn't have to carry the DCC signal you don't need a booster or any expensive supplies.  So you one approach might be:

 

Sprog II - $99 (needs a computer which I assume is already near the layout)

Smartphone with WiThrottle - $9.99 (assuming one has the phone/iPad)

Sender and receiver units from Tam Valley - $120 

 

Assuming you have a train with a DCC decoder built in you would be off an running for $230 plus a little for Lipo batteries or to adapt it to work from track power.  

 

Each loco would require the additional cost of $59 for the Tam Valley wireless receiving board.  Depending on how many locos were to be outfitted it could get expensive.

 

But, you would never have to have a power district or a track power booster, which as I understand it can be pretty expensive.  No need for DCC friendly switches or anything like that.  If using batteries there also wouldn't be a need to do anything with reverse loops.

 

Phil

Interesting system, but the receivers are only rated for 1.5 amps. That's cutting it pretty close for O scale locomotives.