Radio and Infrared Operation

The DigiGroupSetup utility is in a ZIP file which is provided for Digitrax customer convenience and can be downloaded from our downloads page. Read Me Text File with DigiGroupSetup This utility is provided on an as-is basis for users with a Windows based machine configured to work with this software, and the ability to perform the setup and operation tasks detailed below. Techsupport is not configured to diagnose issues related to operating system, hardware, configuration or other possible problem areas that may cause problems with running these utilities. DigiGroupSetup: This program allows convenient Duplex system setup for any UR92 on ...

Fast clock caution: If you use power save mode, the DT400/R’s local fast clock copy will deviate from the LocoNet system clock. The fast clock will re-synchronize with your LocoNet system fast clock when it is plugged in again.

Digitrax transponding does not use high current spikes so it does not typically cause radio frequency interference (RFI) issues with large installations as with some other bi-directional communication protocols.

The ability of a variety Digitrax throttles to work together on layout equipped with a variety of wireless technologies is part of the beauty of LocoNet.  With LocoNet, it is simple to add components to the system and have all of them work together. Digitrax infrared throttles will operate on any layout equipped with UR90 infrared receivers, UR91 simplex receivers and/or UR92 duplex transceivers.  All of these panels are equipped with infrared receivers.  All current model Digitrax throttles have infrared emitters that will work wirelessly with any panel that has an infrared receiver.  All current Digitrax throttles can also be used ...

The following chart indicates: Which Digitrax throttle (DT400, DT400R, DT402, DT402R, DT402D, DT500, DT500D, DT602, DT602D, UT4, UT4R, UT4D, UT6 & UT6D) Works with which LocoNet interface throttle panel (Universal Panel-UP3/UP5/UP7, UR90, UR91, UR92, and UR93) Under which types of communication (Tethered, IR Mode, Simplex Radio, or Duplex Radio). Throttle Interface Chart Throttle UP Panel Tethered UR90 Tethered UR90 IR Mode UR91 Tethered UR91 IR Mode UR91 Simplex Radio UR92 Tethered UR92 IR Mode UR92 Duplex Radio UR93 Duplex Radio DT400 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No DT400R Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes ...

Adding duplex radio, infrared or simplex radio to your existing Digitrax system is simple because of LocoNet.InfraRedYou probably already own a DT300, DT400, UT4 or DT402 series throttle. All of these are "InfraReady." These all come with two IR emitters pre-installed. All you have to add for IR operation is one or more UR90 Infrared Receivers to your layout. Most layouts require multiple UR90s because the infrared signal is line of sight. This means that your receiver will need a sight path to the throttles.Simplex RadioDigitrax throttles with an "R" at the end of the part number are simplex radio ...

Follow these simple instructions to determine the best location/s on your layout for installing your UR panels for the best possible infrared or radio reception. With LocoNet, you can use Infrared, Duplex Radio and Simplex radio individually or in any combination on your layout.You'll need to be able to observe whether your command station is receiving commands from the UR panels when you are installing infrared or radio receivers and transceivers.  Your Digitrax command station makes it easy to determine when the system is receiving a signal and when it is not.  You can observe the NET LED and the Track Status Indicator or your ...

How Many UR90 Infrared receivers will I need?One UR90 should provide complete coverage if your room is typical, with a hard surface floor and finished walls and ceiling. However, several things can cause the need for additional UR90s, such as: larger room, odd shaped room, acoustical ceiling, carpeted floors, or book shelves or other things on the walls that can interfere with the infrared signal. How many more you'll need depends on how many of these "impediments" are in your layout room. This Infrared signal should be considered to be line-of-sight, but the IR signal does reflect off of other objects, thus the concern ...

Simplex Radio Coverage One UR91 should provide full coverage for a typical model railroad under most circumstances. Simplex Radio reception is affected by metal objects between the throttle and UR91 simplex receiver, or large metal objects adjacent to the receiver; a furnace is one example of such an object. Such objects cause a second reflected signal, impairing the radio throttle signal's ability to reach the UR91. In this case, the receiver gets the signal directly from the throttle, then another signal right on top of it from the reflection. Moving the UR91 to another location may solve this problem, or you ...

The UR92 ships from the factory with the default Duplex Group default radio channel set to 11. You can select channels 11 through 26 for the radio channel. 1. Plug a DT402D throttle into the UR92. 2. Press the EXIT key. 3. Press the OPTN key then the EDIT key. 4. Press the Y / + key to increase the channel number, or 5. Press the N/- key to decrease the channel number. In the example below, we have changed the Group name to JBS&J RR and entered 21 for the channel number. 6. Repeat step 4 or 5 until ...

Configuring the Duplex Group Password The UR92 ships from the factory with the default Duplex Group Password of 0000, the value that disables password requirements. You may have an occasion when operating in a multisystem environment when you may want to restrict access to your layout and operating system via a tetherless Duplex Throttle. The password for your Duplex Group may be activated or changed: 1. Plug a DT402D or DT500D throttle into the UR92. 2. Press the EXIT key. 3. Press the OPTN key then the EDIT key. 4. Enter a 4-digit number using the numbers on the keypad ...

Selecting a locomotive-Safety Selection While unplugged, the DT402 (IR only) and DT402R (IR and Simplex Radio) operate as one-way transmitters. The DT402 and DT402R must be plugged into LocoNet to select an available locomotive address. After an address is selected, you can unplug from LocoNet and run the selected addresses with infrared or simplex radio. The throttle will automatically convert to infrared or simplex radio operation for all speed, direction, function, operations mode programming, and switch commands. The DT402D throttle has full duplex radio capabilities. Once the 402D has been configured to communicate with a UR92, the full functionality of ...

Q: Where do I locate UR91 for best performance? A:  The UR91 works best in simplex radio mode if it is mounted in a central location on or near the ceiling. A few layout configurations may require a second UR91 for best performance.If the UR91 is also to be used in IR mode, then the recommendations for the UR90 should be followed.

Q:  Where do I locate UR90 for best performance? A:  Infrared signals are transmitted and received in the line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver.  Most problems with IR reception are caused by people or things blocking this line of sight.  UR90 should not be mounted in the layout fascia below track level because that is where we stand when we run trains.UR90 works best when mounted on a wall, opposite the operators, near the ceiling, at a 30° to 45° downward angle. The reason for this positioning is simple. When you are making speed and function changes on ...

Setting Duplex Group Name You can use the DT402D to edit the UR92’s Duplex Group name to one you prefer. Note that this change is optional, and the UR92 factory default will always work out of the box.   The Duplex Group Name is stored in non-volatile memory and is remembered even when unpowered or disconnected from your system.   You should have all UR92s connected prior to changing the Group name or they will automatically renegotiate and may change the preferred name to a default.  1. Connect the DT402D or DT500D to the front RJ12 jack of any UR92 ...

Adding UR92s will provide better signal coverage for complex layouts. If you are adding more than one UR92, be sure to connect all of the units before changing the Duplex Group name or channel number or you will have the units automatically re-negotiate these values with each addition. 1. Add the UR92(s) to your LocoNet. (See UR92 Installation articles, below.) 2. After adding extra UR92s, use the DT402D to turn OFF layout track power and then turn track power back ON. This forces all the UR92s to automatically negotiate a common and permanent single Duplex Group name and channel number. ...

The DT400/R will operate in Switch Mode while tetherless. It can operate turnouts and routes using the OPTN t & CLOC c Keys in the normal manner.

Can I add Radio and IR to my Big Boy?Yes.Adding radio and/or IR to Big Boy is the same as adding it to any other existing Digitrax layout or Digitrax Starter Set. Digitrax offers InfraRed, Duplex Radio and Simplex Radio systems for wireless operation. Any combination of these wireless methods can be used on the same layout at the same time.Infra Red Wireless OperationAll current Digitrax throttles are Infrared capable (InfraReady) in that they come from the factory equipped with the IR emitters required to send IR information to LocoNet. To use this functionality, you only need to add one ...

Consists must be assembled and broken up while the DT400/R is plugged in to LocoNet. MU operations are locked out while the DT400/R is running simplext tetherless. Once a consist is assembled, it can be operated normally using the DT400/R in tetherless mode.

Two options are available for releasing tetherless operated locomotives. These options are set by DT400 Option #3. No tetherless release allowed: if the LOCO Key is pressed while the DT400/R is running in tetherless mode, the addresses selected will not be released unless the throttle is plugged in to LocoNet. This is the factory default. Tetherless release allowed: if the LOCO Key is pressed while the DT400/R is running in tetherless mode, the address selected on that side of the throttle will be released immediately and that throttle will become inactive. To re-select this loco address plug your DT400/R in ...

While tetherless, the DT400/R operates as a one-way transmitter. The DT400/R must be plugged into LocoNet to select an available locomotive address. After an address is selected on your DT400/R, you can unplug from LocoNet and run the selected addresses with infrared or radio. The throttle will automatically convert to infrared or radio operation for all speed, direction, function, operations mode programming, and switch commands. Digitrax uses this safety selection procedure, which requires throttles be plugged into LocoNet to select a loco address to run. This is an important operational safety feature. Digitrax chose not to allow one way address ...

If you are operating in a show environment where there are other model railroads operating which use Digitrax wireless throttles, you must insure that your railroad's LocoNet ID is different from others that are also present. Your throttle will log on to the LocoNet ID offered by compatible infrared or radio receiver it sees when plugged in to LocoNet. The default LocoNet ID is 00. It may be necessary to change the LocoNet ID if more than one club is operating in close proximity at a train show so that the commands sent by one club will not interfere with ...

Can a UR91 be returned and upgraded to a UR92? No. Our recommendation is that when upgrading to the DT402 throttle, the layout owner purchase a new UR92, but keep the UR91 installed for those who still have the simplex radio throttles. That way anybody can run on the layout.

DT400R is a radio equipped throttle. To use your DT400R as a radio throttle, you will need to install a radio receiver on your layout. All DT400s are “InfraReady.” This means that your DT400 comes with IR LEDs that will send infrared signals to the layout. To use this InfraReady capability, you just need to install one or more infrared receivers on your layout. A 9 volt battery must be used to power the DT400/R for tetherless operation. Using DT400/R as a tetherless throttle is easy: 1. For Infrared operation, plug in at least one Digitrax IR receiver (UR90 or ...

Join Your Throttle to the Duplex Group 1. Connect a DT402D Duplex Radio Throttle with an installed battery to the front RJ12 jack of the UR92 for about 2 seconds. 2. Disconnect the DT402D from the LocoNet jack. The DT402D will briefly display an 8 character Duplex Group name and the Channel number being used by the UR92 Group. The actual Duplex Group name is not important at this point, it is simply used by the DT402D to join this Duplex group on its particular Duplex channel (#11 through #26). 3. Now that the DT402D has joined the Duplex group, ...

Throttle Option 2Throttle Default Decoder Status 128/28/14 speed steps Each DT402/DT400 can be set up to operate new decoders selected by that throttle as any decoder status code you choose. New decoders are defined as decoders that have not been selected in your system. Your throttle's default setting is to operate decoders that are 128 speed step capable, so when a new decoder is selected the throttle automaticaly assumse that all decoders selected are that 128 speed steps. If you operate mostly decoders that are only able to recognize 28 speed steps, you can change this setting.Tetherless Operation Mode Each throttle can be set up with radio ...

  Digitrax UT4D Throttle Operating Instructions by Dan Bourque   v1.0 Selecting a locomotive or consist 1.         Dial the 4-digit locomotive address into the “LOCO ADDRESS” dials             - For a consist, the address will normally be the lead locomotive             - For a 3-digit locomotive number, use “0” for the first digit 2.         Press the “SEL” key, the ST light on the throttle should flash green 3.         Move the direction selector on the throttle to either “R” or “F” 4.         Move the speed knob until train moves 5.         For headlight, press the “F0” key (“F3” will ...

While the DT400 series throttle is being used tetherless, there are occasions when you may want to disable the throttle's controls to prevent accidental commands being sent to the railroad. For example, your train is in a siding waiting for another train to pass. You put your throttle in your pocket and go take a break. By locking the throttle controls, you will not be able to accidentally start your train if you bump your throttle knob or press the Y + Key . To lock the controls on your DT400 1. Press both the Y + and the N ...

When using the fast clock option, the DT400 series will keep track of and display fast time based on the last synchronized system fast time when the DT400 was connected to LocoNet. If the fast time is edited by another throttle connected to LocoNet, the DT400/R will not see this change until it is plugged into LocoNet at which time its display will be updated.

Ops mode programming is the only programming method that will work while the DT400R simplex is operating as a radio throttle. If you press the PROG Key to enter programming mode, the DT400R running as tetherless will default to the Po mode (ops mode programming). The DT400R must be connected to LocoNet to use service mode programming and access any of the other programming modes available.

  Can I add Radio and IR to my Zephyr Xtra?Yes.Adding radio and/or IR to Zephyr and Zephyr Xtra is the same as adding it to any other existing Digitrax layout or Digitrax Starter Set. Digitrax offers InfraRed, Duplex Radio and Simplex Radio systems for wireless operation.  Any combination of these wireless methods can be used on the same layout at the same time.Infra Red Wireless OperationAll current Digitrax throttles are Infrared capable (InfraReady) in that they come from the factory equipped with the IR emitters required to send IR information to LocoNet.  To use this functionality, you only need to ...

Digitrax's “safety selection” is an important operational safety feature. Digitrax chose not to allow one way address selection to prevent multiple operators from being able to select and send commands to the same addresses at the same time. Having multiple operators sending commands to the same address can result in serious problems in an operating session because locos can appear to be out of control. Simplex radio throttles like the DT402/R, DT400/R, DT300/R, UT4/R and similar throttles operate as one-way (simplex) infrared or radio transmitters. The DT402, DT400/R, DT300/R, UT4/R must be plugged into LocoNet to select an available locomotive address to run on ...

The UT4 comes InfraReady for layouts that are equipped with one or more UR90 infrared receivers. For Infrared operation:1. Install one or more UR90 infrared receivers on your layout.  These should be connected to LocoNet and powered.  If you have UR92s and/or UR91s present on the layout, these also support infrared operation.  You will need enough infrared receivers installed on the layout so that the throttles you use can "see" the receivers since the transmission is line of sight.  You may also encounter problems in rooms where there are large windows that would interfere with the transmission.2. Install a 9 ...

The UR92 is simple to install and begin using in your new or current layout. 1. In most cases a UR92 should be situated near the physical center of a layout and will typically cover a circle of about 300+ feet (~100 meters) across, which will be adequate for most layouts. Some layouts may require additional UR92s for adequate signal coverage. 2. Connect the PS14 DC power supply to UR92 via the DC power jack on the side. The green and red LEDs should blink and then the red LED should stay on. 3. Connect the UR92 to your working LocoNet ...

The tetherless indicator shows when your throttle is using either infrared or radio communications.

What is the difference between Simplex and Duplex wireless operations and what are the advantages of each?The Digitrax DT400R, DT402R and UT4R throttles operate at the 916.5Mhz radio frequency.  These throttles both use the UR91 for radio communication.  The DT402D and UT4D operate at 2.4Ghz.  They require the UR92 for radio communication. The move to Duplex is meant to improve radio operations and add radio range.  Simplex (UR91) and Duplex (UR92) can operate on the same layout without any issues or interference with each otherWith duplex radio: You’ll select and run your locomotives without plugging in.   You'll dispatch locomotives ...