The separate programming track allows you to program an individual loco while leaving all the other locos on the main track. Plus, the programming track is of a lesser voltage; if you screw up the decoder installation wiring, the main track voltage will fry the decoder, while the programming track voltage probably will not. And, at $139 for a full-up sound decoder.....mushroom2 said:So I don't understand why the need for a seperate programming track. I'm assuming that DCC is just a data stream modulated on a carrier frequency superimposed onto the DC supplied to the rails. If so, then what is the difference between the main output and the programming output? And why?
Is the booster just a data repeater, or if you use one do you have to cut the tracks so you have a seperate DC block system? Can it be used either way?
I can't speak for MRC, but the Atlas system does not support programing on a track other than a dedicated programing track. I know, as I own this system.grumpybob said:2. Also, if i am not mistaken, neither the Atlas or MRC older DCC systems are capable of handling anything other than Program track programming.
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