Steve Williams

Thank you Paul. The user notes I have are V18.12 and the info you provided above does correspond with the notes I have. What was confusing me was the term 'ID', as I wasn't sure if that was referring to the CV value or something else. May be worth considering using 'CV value' in brackets after 'ID' for idiots like me! :-) . I do have the most up to date sound file as it was supplied by Digitrains only a couple of weeks ago and does have the speed related flange squeal. Have just had a play with the two CVs concerned (519 & 522). Entering a value of 17 into CV519 results, not in an audible warning device but, what I can best describe as a slightly more aggressive brake squeal. Rather like it's making an emergency stop! Entering a value of 16 into CV522 again, results not in an audible warning device, but a sound which is a bit like someone shouting 'Oy!' It would seem, therefore, that the latest iteration of the sound file has effected changes to the values of those two CVs. Regards Steve

That was going to be my next port of call Ian, if no-one turned up trumps here. I can't even find CVs 519 & 522 listed anywhere!

Received my re-blown Zimo chip with the updated Paul Chetter file, from Digitrains. Now all working well. I ordered a second decoder with the same ) sound file uploaded. They arrived with an updated instruction sheet. The flange squeal is much better. A question however, for anyone in the know. For my second installation, I want to change the default air whistle to the later fitted air horn. The accompanying notes indicate that the appropriate CVs are 519 and 522, which correspond to F3 & F4 respectively (single toot and double toot). I can't find anywhere in these notes what the new value should be for each of these CVs. Neither can I find information in the decoder manual. Can anyone enlighten me please?

Update on the 'dead spot'. A reset of CV8 to 8, cured it. Have sent it back for a reblow though ref. the buffer clank and wheel squeal 'glitch'. Also ordered a second decoder for my other 08

I can now get it to run from speed step one up to speed step 10. However, as soon as I hit speed step 11, it stops and won't start again until the mid 20s speed step. This is wherever it may be on the track, with track and wheels clean, so not related to those factors. Very weird.

Further to my previous post, I found that turning the master volume down from the default (which I think is 64) down to 20, made a big difference, and is plenty loud enough. I'm not able to run this loco in at the moment, in fact I have about 18" of track! At present, with clean track and wheels, it is starting to move at speed step 8 with my Powercab, after I altered the start voltage to 4. Hopefully, when it is run in, I can reduce that. Any observations welcome. PS It sounds lovely!

Well today I fitted the Zimo chip with Paul's sound file and the twin speaker as shown above. A couple of observations. When activating either of the horns there is what I can best describe as an almost percussive quality at the very start of the 'toot'. I don't know if this is the sound file or the speaker. Also, when running with flange squeal, when I turn it off, immediately prior to to it stopping the sound almost sounds like a micro-second of radio chatter. That is the best way I can describe it. Has anyone else had similar observations?

Well I took the plunge and now have the Zimo Paul Chetter decoder and the twin speaker (I do wish the speaker wires were thicker!) I have now had to invest in a soldering iron, which, hopefully, won't be the modelling equivalent of giving an AK47 to a five year old!!

Excellent instructional video. Many thanks.

Tove, who makes the little 2 pin connectors that you have used between the chip and the speaker, and are the wires fixed by screw terminals? Many thanks.

I have had a glimpse of about a dozen of the photographs. Yes, I will definitely be getting a copy.

More pertinently, off the streets and being punished for each crime.

I do wish they wouldn't run sentences concurrently.

My sincerest condolences Dave.

Yes, I'm inclined to agree with that compromise Andy, although there are, unfortunately, occasions when having annual leave does fall in September. It happened to me when I was a Police Officer, and there was nothing I could do about it. However, if it was a regular event, then it sounds more of a 'choice' decision, rather than an 'imposed' one.

As a former Head of Year, it used to be acceptable to authorise up to 10 days for holiday. If it wasn't considered terminally detrimental to a child's education then, I fail to see why it should be so considered now. If a child's educational success or failure revolves around a single period of up to ten days, then there is something fundamentally wrong with the system. Many parents have their holiday dates dictated to them. I can recall missing a week off school when my parents took me on holiday, and it had no lasting negative impact whatsoever. If a child does miss work, then the onus should be on the parents to ensure that he/she catches up with it on their return. It should not require support assistants or teachers to neglect the rest of the class. That argument is just OTT. The root cause of the problem is, yet again, bloody targets. They are pointless, tick box exercises as people simply find a way to work around them. I have authorised absences when , technically, I shouldn't have. The World still kept on spinning and it didn't result in Armageddon.

Sincere condolences Mal.

Congratulations. . Sherry you look lovely and your fella's scrubbed up well ;-) Steve

Gosh! Nearly missed this. Very best wishes to you both. Steve

My wife retired from teaching in the Summer and was somewhat apprehensive as to how she would find it, teaching having been so much of her life for so many years. She has taken to it like a duck to water. The first week of term she went in with some biscuits for the staff s she has promised to supply them with 'biccies' at the start of each term for a year, s part of her thank you to them. She has also arranged for an orchard to be planted in the school grounds. After we had visited and were on the way back to the car, she told me that she wasn't missing it, which must mean it was the right time for her to have gone. Now, if only I could get her from under my feet............!! Steve

I'm sure there wasn't. As a former H of Y myself I have had many a confrontation with parents. In fact, if I didn't upset at least a couple a month, I reckon I wasn't doing my job properly! On more than one occasion I have had a Form Tutor comment that they thought a parent was going to hit me, in fact on a couple of occasions, I thought so to. One notable event, when they actually did, was when an irate Mother and Father came up to the school and assaulted several of us including the Head and Deputy Head. I was on duty at the end of the day and went over to see what all the fuss was about, when the Mother stormed towards me and aimed a swing at my face, saying "And I owe you one too, from September you f*****g b*****d". This was a reference to my having called the Mother into school and told her that her son's behaviour was unacceptable. Fortunately, she was short and I am very tall, hence, I rolled with the punch and it was just a glancing blow. My response to her was "Is that a snap judgement, or a considered opinion?". The comment was completely wasted on her, but the PC who subsequently took the statements thought the Magistrate would love the comment! In the event, although we all trooped into court, they both pleaded guilty at the last minute. She was sentenced to four months. The report is here: http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/oct/11/education.educationnews I always used to make a point of emphasising to 'lairy' Fathers that it didn't matter how much they shouted, they weren't going to intimidate me. It generally worked....eventually! :-) On another ocassion a parent was bending my ear on the 'phone whilst driving his HGV. I'm surprised he didn't go off the road. Eventually, after i had put him right on a few points, he ended up telling me that his estranged wife who was a 'right b**ch', accorrding to him, never told him all the facts. I do miss the cut and thrust of being a Head of Year. It was the hardest I have ever worked in my life, but was the best job I ever had.

I trust, in the interests of furthering their education, you took the opportunity to highlight how 'sh*t' is such a versatile word, being used as both a noun and an adjective? It can also be used, arguably, as a verb, as in "I ain't doing sh*t", or "We were 'Sh****d on".

Listening to Radio 4 news about 45 mins ago, I am sure I heard the newsreader say that Boris Johnson "used a p***k as a prop" instead of 'brick'. She corrected virtually instantaneously. Sure I didn't mishear. Well now that the builder looks like he is going to start the garden wall just as the weather has broken, I have had to give him access through the garage. This has meant a load of stuff going into store. It is surprising just how much you can get in a 5ft x 5ft storage unit, when it is in 'Really Useful Boxes'. I didn't enquire what the single point loading was, but I am on the 2nd floor, and hope to stay there! £40 per month is not bad price, actually. I get 24 hr access with electronic key fob, and the environment is good enough to live in. I am thinking of keeping the unit permanently for that price.

Yes, I just had a very quick peruse of the last couple of pages. I had to make a little comment. Just couldn't help it. Had to have a teenie weenie p*** take. I did try not to. Honest guv!

Yes, for sure, but I always slow down for high horses and invariably get a wave of appreciation. ;-)