Re: TMCC signal doubler

["Ira Schneider" <ira_schneider@iname.com>]

Steve,

I don't think we need this TMCC signal doubler, and it wouldn't work with our layout anyhow.

When the outlet we plug the layout into is properly grounded, we don't have much trouble with the TMCC signal.
When we have major TMCC signal problems, we usually find that the outlet is not grounded.

Even if we had signal problems, there isn't any good way to hook up these signal doublers to
our layout.  The cable from the power box to the layout contains a single ground path.  (It is
made up of two wires, but it is still a single path.)  We do not have access to the wires going to
the ground rails for each track.  The only place this might be available is on the corner module
itself.  I don't think we want to have four of these units sitting on the corner module.

We do have a problem with the grounds on our layout.  Most of the newer or refurbished modules
are using K-Line shadow rail, which doesn't bridge the outer rails.  This was fixed on some of the
modules, but I think most of them (including the newer corners) have no connection to one of
the outer rails.  We should fix this.  Perhaps it would improve our voltage and signal
problems (both TMCC and DCS).


Ira