How do you see your digital self?

Lets learn more about those who visit this section of Model Rail Forum.

Lets also assume that if you visit here then you have some interest in DCC.

And this is for those who have participated here and those who have not.

So that we can tailor this DCC forum to best accomodate its visitors it will help if we can have an idea of how we see ourselves.

We don't want to know what you have got but we do want to know what proportion of Model Rail Forum members see ourselves as absolute beginners even if you have not participated before in the forum but like to read what is said. If you are a beginner or thinking about DCC then you are invited to provide your thoughts. This way we can work out how best to utilise Model Rail Forum to help us all.

Happy modelling
Gary

I'm one of the 2 people who have (so far) selected option 4, it's almost 11 years since I first used DCC, starting of with a Lenz setup (probably an 01) in a club before we got sick of that and changed to a Digitrax BigBoy set, this was followed soon after by my own purchase of a Digitrax Challenger set, which was later upgraded to a BigBoy and I am now using a Digitrax Super Chief. I also operated a NCE Powerhouse pro for a number of years on a friends layout before we feel out of touch, and was reaquainted with Lenz again when I operated a layout running off their set 100 at an exhibition a couple of years ago. I don't have practical experience with other systems, but I have had discussions with users who have given me an idea of most of the others, and let's face it there's not alot of differance between systems that share the sam com-BUS other than bugs and user interfaces. I've also built my own decoders and throttles in the past as well as a few LocoNet I/O devices, and in case no-ones spotted it from my postings on the subject, I also have a good understanding of LocoNet and XpressNet communication protocols and the languages in general.
So that's my experience with DCC which I'm always willing to share, and of course I'm always willing to learn more from those who know about other areas I haven't looked into yet.

P.S. I hate Microsoft! Sorry, bad day, an I just had to tell someone that

After returning to the hobby five years ago (middle age has its merits)I have used in order:

DC
Lenz Compact
Roco, Loco Mouse Two (I blew up the amp in the dark under my bench work)
but still think the Hand held is the best in the world so far.
Final forced upgrade:
Lenz LH100 and Lzv100 amp

I like decoder Pro for programming and when I have finished the occupancy detectors (this week/ dream on) RRand Co is to be king on my system.

I do not consider myself an expert, and certainly understood next to nothing of the loconet expressnet debate recently held here.

Nevertheless, I have been known to get the odd train to move!

TVBG

I acquired the digital freight set from Bachmann several months ago, set the decoder up , put the class 25 on the track set it going and thought big deal!
Then I realised that to gain the benefits it would be good to get a second decoder and upgrade a loco. That was better so I did another one and fried a decoder when one of the wires became unsoldered. I have upgraded another diesel and have a further 2 chips to install possibly into a steam loco just for science purposes.
I think the Bachmann system has its uses but a lot of limitations also and might be best suited to a branch line or small layout. I am not too keen on the dial power controller as it can cause problems if varying speed and moving from loco to loco.
I might consider the hornby system providing reviews are favourable. I find it extremely surprising that it is a totally new set up and not built from some other manufacturers old stock.