[Gary]

If any of you want a translation of any of the jargon that appears in the world of DCC model railway systems then please offer up your request for a translation here as we'll see what we can do!

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

Hi Doug

I have some jargon for you that I am confused about. In the first comparison table in the first two rows, it refers to "maximum number of cabs" and "maximun number of locomotives to be controlled". What is the difference and why is this important?

The first value always seems to be the same or lower than the second value.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

Now I understand. For "cab" read locomotive control unit. And a control unit (cab) can control many locomotives. So you could have once "cab" controlling the main line operated by the father, for example, and another "cab" on an extension down the line controlling the sidings and operated by the son. The new Gaugemaster Prodigy Advance system has this cabability.

Now the next bit of jargon is "mu capabilities". When I see this what does it mean and how important is this feature in a system?

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

That just about covers that bit of jargon although the word "consist" is used a lot.

Looking at the various tables again we come to the area of speed control.

Its seems to be full of knobs, pots, keypads and sliders and any combination.

Firstly, how does a "pot" control speed and direction?

And what is the difference between a "dial" and a "knob"? Or are they the same?

Whilst I understand what a knob might be (you turn it?), a keypad (you press a button or a key?) or a slider (you slide a lever up and down presumably), where there is a combination listed does that mean I have an option of using both, either on its own or in tandem with the other?

And then we have "speed steps". Now the more "speed steps" the better I take it. If this is the case then why would anybody want an option to use 14 "steps" if 128 are available? I don't understand this.

Its not really a question about jargon here but more one of clarification.

But then we come to "functions" with various numbers. What is meant by this and what other type of language is a sales rep likely to use when selling "functions" to me?

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

Its all gradually becoming clearer now. I trust DCC newbies and wanabees are learning as we work our way through the jargon.

Continuing through all the tables we next come to following terms:-

Feedback

Software upgrades

Operates stationary decoders

What is feedback? Some systems have it and some don't.

And the software upgrade thing. Does this mean I need a computer to hook the DCC up to or do you get plug in modules to upgrade the unit? Manufacturers obviously go through a process of ongoing development of a product presumably. So if a system offers software upgrades is it effectively future proof in that a whole new system does not have to be bought to benefit from new "must have" developments?

And finally for this session what is a stationary decoder and why do some systems operate it and some don't? If it is what I think it is then I am puzzled by this but then my thinking is probably wrong (it normally is when it comes to DCC!).

I am assuming that a stationary decoder refers to a loco that is stationary that has a chip on board.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

Ok thats useful.

However there are three expressions used towards the end of the table:-

1) Auto Shuffle Train/Signal Speed Control
2) Loco Number Readback
3) CV Readback

Now I suspect that CV is Control Value which is the number assigned to a chip I believe. Is CV Readback the same as Feedback that we discussed earlier?

Or is this Loco Number Readback?

You can see that some expressions used seem to suggest the same thing although clearly they don't.

And the Auto Shuffle Train/Signal Speed Control I take to mean that a loco can be set up to automatically reverse although it could be something linked to the automatic stopping and starting of trains and the control of related signals.

So clarification here please would be appreciated.

Happy modelling
Gary

PS at this topic is seen to draw to a conclusion I will, in my own simplistic way, attempt to summarize the meaning of the jargon. If I have a go at this then at least it will prove to myself that I understand!