Simplex Radio Tetherless Operation

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 ...

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.

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 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.

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.

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 ...

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 ...

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.

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

  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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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

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'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 ...