NIK

Hi, If the TXS sound decoders turn out not to work on DC controllers (as opposed to a fixed 15V DC from a Hornby wall wart) it could be for marketing reasons or it could be due to technical reasons. On the technical side they might have made the hardware and firmware cheaper by not including stuff needed to make the sound work on reduced voltages. Regards Nik

Hi, The dongle seems to allow the Bluetooth app to talk to certain DCC command stations. So it seems unlikely that it will do anything with an H&M 12v dc controller. The Hornby Magazine Youtube video seems to imply that HM series TXS sound decoders which R30176TXS Class 73 Rail Road plus class 73 will be equipped with may/will not work with DC controllers. The H&M 12v dc controller is a DC controller. Hopefully things will become clearer in time. Regards Nik

There was a discussion in the video about running HM7000 decoders on an analogue supply and Mike Wild mentioned the HM6000 in that discussion so I think it would be safe to assume that the Hornby man was saying only the non sound HM7000 decoders will work on an analogue supply. I took that to mean variable voltage DC controllers to adjust speed. Even that doesn't pin things down because what is meant by work? Does the Bluetooth still work on a variable DC controller and if so does it work down to the same voltages as DCC decoders in DC compatibility mode?.

Maybe Hornby haven't given up hope with the loco ID system they mentioned a number of years ago?. I did notice a component on the R7336 that could have been a magnetic sensor. At first I thought it might be just for counting wheel revolutions for synching steam sound using a powerful magnet inserted into the final drive gear of the loco chassis but it might also be for detecting a pattern of magnets along the track. However unless the decoder is near the track it might be difficult to make the magnets close enough together to be retro fitted in a strip between the rails. The magnets could be fitted into recesses in the underside of the sleepers.

Hi, However a DCC command station can control points and signals as well as locos and I don't think Hornby have mentioned decoders for these yet. Regards Nik

The sound files will probably be encrypted to protect Hornby's investment in creating them. If I were Hornby and it were possible I would keep the sound file encrypted if it is stored in an external EEPROM*. Then decrypt it in real time. This would reduce the chance of the sound file data being recorded with digital fidelity by a logic analyser connected to the EEPROM data pins when the decoder is being commanded to play sounds. * the 6 pin IC on the photo of the R7336 may be the serial EEPROM that would hold the sound file. Regards Nik

I will be interested to see if there are problems with the Bluetooth antenna being close to metal chassis. With the diecast bodied Deltic Prototype DP1 model Hornby have announced maybe they will make the fuel tanks of plastic to maximise the strength of Bluetooth comms.

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Hi, The OP asked for any pointers and WIMorrison started by giving him/her a pointer as to how to solve the problem so there should have been no complaint from the OP. Regards Nik

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Hi, To add to the info above: Regards Nik

Hi, I haven't yet been able to identify that decoder. The 8 pin plug having the wires encased is not common, and combined with the decoder having a single sided pcb should make identification easier. It would help things if you said how long have you had it and if it came from a loco what manufacturer of loco was it?. Regards Nik

When the Irish government had a dairy mountain they sent out folks door to door asking "would you let cheeses into your lives?".

Hi, I'm probably a lot older than many of Hornby's marketing team so the word 'experience' may mean something different to them. As there is a shortage of microcontrollers I'd guess at something mechanical such as synchronized smells or something software such as some sort of augmented feedback to a mobile phone. A long shot is mini cameras in locos.

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