Somewhat Off Topic

[Predreadnut]

Sorry in advance if this bothers someone, but I just know someone here can help. I have some very nice HO model locomotives that have a remote control for the sound. The problem is, the range is pathetic, like you practically have to touch the "remotes" antenna to the locos for it to work. I was told by the manufacturer that the problem was the frequency that the FCC allowed them to use. Question, is there anything I can do to boost the frequency/improve range? The transmitter has a wire antenna approx. 4-5 in. long. The locos are Athearn Genesis EMD F-7's and F-3's.Thank you.

PS Kinda RC related...right?

[mfr02]

As both frequency and power will be regulated by the FCC, any modification will put it out of regulation, i.e. illegal. Its increased power that improves range, frequency is the band that the equipment is tuned to. Model rail use usually implies use at close quarters, so range is rarely an issue.

[Brooks]

Don't have one, these are general suggestions:
1. Check power in tx, replace batteries
2. Antenna loose or broken wires (either rx or tx or both)?
3. Manufacturer's explanation does not make sense to me; there is no "frequency", big or small, that would work as poorly as yours is demonstrating. Perhaps they misunderstood you, thinking you wanted 100 ft reception for your tabletop pike?
4. Some systems use the rails as the antenna, any chance your's is supposed to be that way (and antenna-to-wheels connection is bad)?
5. I've tried touching regular FM tx antenna to rails to boost range of an outdoor RC loco layout, with some success (later replaced FM with Spektrum and no more glitching or range issues).

[CG Bob]

Some other things to check:
1. Are the track rails clean?
2. Are the loco trucks (wheels) clean?

[steveciambrone]

I have a g scale train in my backyard and I found with one of my locos that if I brought the transmitter close to the rails when the train was at the other end of the railway I could then get the radio to respond. I was getting some transmission help down the rails.

Steve

[Predreadnut]

I've tried most of the ideas mentioned. Touching the antenna to the rails does help..a little. The track and the loco's are new, I checked for dirt anyway, none found. I guess the next step is to take the shells off and check the reciever antenna's. The shells are a real bear to get off,so I've saved this for the last resort. The manufacturer said that they were limited as to how much power they could use. The transmitter uses a very small battery. By the way, Brooks, my layout is a shelf type that circles the second story of my home. It travels through the walls, behind my closet,etc,etc Its approx. 27ft X 13.5ft . :) Heres an early shot,before much was done.

[Prins Willem]

Forgive me if I'm being dense here but shouldn't trains be on surface frequencies like other land vehicles? If so shouldn't performance expectations be similar if you factor in things like reduced receiver antenna length, motor noise interference, physical obstructions, etc.? Since you are running through the house the walls become a factor and the wiring, and all electrical appliances, and gizmos in the area. You might try substituting a 27mhz radio and putting caps on the loco drive motors.

I have a question on 2.4ghz radios. How would they really fair in the environment he has? Will the walls of the house interfere with signal. My understanding is never use 2.4 for subs due to poor transmission through water.

[Predreadnut]

Prins, would the light fixtures cause problems? Im going to try again, this time making sure all TV's, radio's, etc are turned off. I dont have a problem stepping into the next room to activate the sounds, I just dont want to have to touch the loco. If I stand in the middle of each room, Im no more than 7.5ft from the rails. I'd like to be able to activate the sounds from there. If the manufacturer was forced to use a very low frequency could that affect the range? Or does range entirely depend on power?

[mfr02]

As its new, check the simple stuff first, like the transmitter battery voltage. Does the unit say what band it is working in? At very high frequencies, a very short aerial is probably ideal, at low frequencies like 27M, range will be compromised. At high frequencies, walls will reduce range, but at the moment you are not getting that far anyway.
It might well not use a regular radio control band - there are several allocated bands for remote control/telemetry/toy use that could have been used.
Does the receiver actually have its own aerial or does it use the rails that the engine is standing on?

[norgale]

Boats and trains. Good for you. I've seen the R/C trains running on videos online and the operators never seemed to have to be very close to the train they are running. I'm thinking there is a glitch in your system but I don't have the experience with it to help you. Since it's new you should have some warranty there from the mfger that would help. Maybe have to send the engine and the Tx back for a check up. Pete

[scififlyer]

Optimize rx antenna length, spiral around a dowel and hide in an adjacent car?

[Prins Willem]

I don't know if light fixtures can give off RF interference. I do know that devices with motors or strong magnetic fields can effect AM and to a degree FM signals. mfr02 is right that you should first make sure the radio and receiver are operating properly. Then by process of elimination you can seek out other causes (like CSI on TV). Your problem is interesting. Next time I get to the LHS I will have to ask about the system Ahtearn uses. Our LHS has experts in each department. I might be able to get an answer for you.

BTW I'm still trying to get better range out of my D-Link MIMO wireless router. It is upstairs and I barely get a connection 20' away from it while on the first floor.

[420TEE]

Showing my age. The train coming through the wall reminds me of Reginald Van Gleason on the Jackie Gleason show when the train would bring him a drink. That was good, clean fun and hilarious as opposed to the garbage on today. :) :)

[Predreadnut]

I talked to the guys at Athearn and they said that all Athearn Genesis locos with sound have the same short range. About the only thing I havent tried yet is opening up the loco and making sure the reciever anntenna(yes it has one) is positioned correctly. The techs also mentioned touching the tx ant. to the rails, as has been mentioned here before. I may be remembering this wrong, but I thought he said that the FCC had limited them to low power and 5mhz? Prins, someone also told me that florescent lights could interfer with a signal. Im not sure of this,but I replaced all my conventional bulbs with those "curly Q" bulbs about 6 mons ago. Im going to try to contact as many Athearn Genesis owners as I can and ask them of there experiences.

P.S. 420TEE, I remember somewhere in my childhood of seeing just what you described. The train ran along the wall and brought drinks on a flatcar. That made an impression on me, and I vowed to have something like that someday. :)

[Predreadnut]

Scififlyer, you suggestion was simialar to an idea I had. I toyed with the idea of attaching the anntenna to a piece of small diameter tubing and securing the tubing to the body of the transmitter. Athearn support didnt think that would help much. Thanks for the advice though.

[saltyNscaler]

Are you running DCC ?? and if so which one ???

[Kcal]

Fluorescent lights do give off interference and the “new” bulbs could be part of the issue. I would also mention that the sub guys have some ideas here http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=409115 and in another thread I can’t find right now there was an antenna upgrade for a Wal-mart ready to run sub that may be helpful to you, I believe it was basically pick up a longer antenna and solder it on to the Tx board but I am not positive that is all that was involved in the upgrade.

[Prins Willem]

Predreadnut, have you tried posting on the model railroad forum?

http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/