Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Dana Kawala, senior editor for Model Railroader magazine, recently got his hands on a unique product, the ProtoThrottle from Iowa Scaled Engineering. Watch this video to see how Dana uses the ProtoThrottle’s realistically modeled levers, buttons, and dials to enhance the operation of […]
Section: MRVP Tech
DCC Programming: episode 18 – speed table programming
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Hosts Dana Kawala and Ben Lake continue the discussion on JMRI DecoderPro. In this video, the guys will demonstrate how to fine-tune locomotive speed control and share tips on speed matching. You’ll see just how much easier and quicker these steps are […]
DCC Programming: episode 17 – Advanced consisting
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode of DCC Programming, Dana Kawala and Ben Lake demonstrate how to assemble a DCC locomotive consist using a computer. Dana and Ben walk through all of the essential steps, just as they appear on a JMRI programming panel. […]
DCC Programming: episode 16 – Building a locomotive roster
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Hosts Dana Kawala and Ben Lake continue demonstrating how JMRI (Java Model Railroad Interface) can be used to put a home computer to good use on your model railroad. In this episode, the specific conversation focuses on DecoderPro, a tool that makes […]
DCC Programming: episode 15 – Introduction to JMRI
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page DCC Programming host Dana Kawala launches Season Two of the hands-on DCC demonstration series by introducing an all-new, next-level topic, along with a new co-host. Keeping the tech-talk to a minimum, Dana and MRVP’s Ben Lake explain JMRI (Java Model Railroad Interface), […]
DCC Programming: episode 14 – DCC Decoder Testers
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page DCC Programming host Dana Kawala talks a bit about testing DCC decoders before you install one into a model railroad locomotive. Dana first explains why that’s a good practice to follow, and then he demonstrates a number of handy decoder testers that […]
DCC Programming: episode 13 – Basics of Back EMF
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode of DCC Programming, host Dana Kawala explains Back-Electro-Motive-Force (Back EMF) control and how it functions to aid performance on DCC-equipped locomotives. Dana demonstrates how this “cruise control” can be set and adjusted based on some specific ways you might […]
DCC Programming: episode 11 – manual notching
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Modern sound decoders have made it possible for your model locomotives to sound just like the real thing. In this episode, DCC Programming Series host Dana Kawala shares a few ways to tweak the sound effects to further enhance the realistic operation […]
DCC Programming: episode 10 – Function mapping
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page DCC Programming Series host Dana Kawala demonstrates how to customize buttons on your DCC throttle to control specific functions. This option gives DCC operators the ability to shift preferred, frequently used, or hard-to-access functions to a single keystroke. Plus, you’ll also see […]
DCC Programming: episode 9 – Demystifying CV 29
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode of MRVP’s DCC Programming Series host Dana Kawala takes on CV 29, one of the most powerful (and often-feared) configuration variables in DCC. Dana methodically walks you through how to use CV 29 to control many of the basic […]
DCC Programming: episode 8 – TCS WOWSound Decoder Demonstration
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page John and J.D. Forsythe of Train Control Systems stop by Model Railroader magazine’s MR&T HO scale layout to demonstrate a steam locomotive equipped with a TCS WOWSound decoder. DCC Programming host Dana Kawala has them talk through the helpful TCS audio-assist feature […]
DCC Programming: episode 6 – Programming momentum
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Dana shows just how easy is it to add realism to a DCC-equipped locomotive simply by programming a momentum effect. In this demonstration, you’ll see how the momentum function eliminates those sudden starts and stops that occur when operating a locomotive straight […]