Functions above F12 not working using Digitrax PR4
#digitrax
Hi,
?
I was programming an ESU Loksound V5 DCC decoder and noticed i could not activate any function above F12 using the JMRI Throttle in Decoder Pro.? I had another locomotive with a V5 decoder so i also tested the issue on that with the same results.? I'm using the PR4 as a standalone programmer on a dedicated programming track.
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The PR4 has the latest drivers from the Digitrax website and i also tried flashing the firmware.? Is this a limitation of the PR4 in standalone mode?? Am i missing a specific setting somewhere in Decoder Pro?? Any help would be appreciated.
?
14:15:31,264 apps.util.Log4JUtil ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? INFO ?- * JMRI log ** [main]
14:15:31,305 apps.util.Log4JUtil ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? INFO ?- This log is stored in file: C:\Users\Semms40oz\JMRI\log\session.log [main]
14:15:31,307 apps.util.Log4JUtil ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? INFO ?- This log is appended to file: C:\Users\Semms40oz\JMRI\log\messages.log [main]
14:15:31,390 apps.AppsBase ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? INFO ?- DecoderPro version 5.10+Rca461bd266 starts under Java 17.0.14 on Windows 10 amd64 v10.0 at Fri Mar 21 14:15:31 EDT 2025 [main]
14:15:31,823 apps.gui3.Apps3 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? INFO ?- Starting with profile My_JMRI_Railroad.3f685e70 [main]
14:15:32,183 jmri.util.node.NodeIdentity ? ? ? ? ? INFO ?- Using 19742551-f6c4-41ef-a3d3-7effa4c90361 as the JMRI storage identity for profile id 3f685e70 [AWT-EventQueue-0]
14:15:32,481 xml.AbstractSerialConnectionConfigXml INFO ?- Starting to connect for "LocoNet" [main]
14:15:32,693 jmri.jmrix.loconet.pr4.PR4Adapter ? ? INFO ?- Connecting PR4 via COM3 VCOM PR4 [main]
14:15:32,704 .loconet.locobuffer.LocoBufferAdapter INFO ?- LocoNet: Port Communications Port (COM3) opened at 57600 baud, sees DTR: true RTS: true DSR: false CTS: false DCD: false flow: RTSCTS [main]
14:15:32,724 x.loconet.pr3.PR3SystemConnectionMemo INFO ?- Connection [L] initialized as "Stand Alone Programmer", no access to attached devices. (see preferences) [main]
14:15:32,758 jmri.jmrix.loconet.LnPacketizer ? ? ? INFO ?- lnPacketizer Started [main]
14:15:33,743 jmri.jmrit.roster.Roster ? ? ? ? ? ? ?INFO ?- Reading roster file with rootFromName(C:\Users\Semms40oz\JMRI\My_JMRI_Railroad.jmri\roster.xml) [main]
14:15:33,962 jmri.util.FileUtilSupport ? ? ? ? ? ? INFO ?- File path program: is C:\Program Files (x86)\JMRI\ [main]
14:15:33,963 jmri.util.FileUtilSupport ? ? ? ? ? ? INFO ?- File path preference: is C:\Users\Semms40oz\JMRI\My_JMRI_Railroad.jmri\ [main]
14:15:33,966 jmri.util.FileUtilSupport ? ? ? ? ? ? INFO ?- File path profile: is C:\Users\Semms40oz\JMRI\My_JMRI_Railroad.jmri\ [main]
14:15:33,970 jmri.util.FileUtilSupport ? ? ? ? ? ? INFO ?- File path settings: is C:\Users\Semms40oz\JMRI\ [main]
14:15:33,971 jmri.util.FileUtilSupport ? ? ? ? ? ? INFO ?- File path home: is C:\Users\Semms40oz\ [main]
14:15:33,973 jmri.util.FileUtilSupport ? ? ? ? ? ? INFO ?- File path scripts: is C:\Program Files (x86)\JMRI\jython\ [main]
14:15:34,781 t.permission.DefaultPermissionManager INFO ?- Permission file: C:\Users\Semms40oz\JMRI\.permissions.xml [main]
14:15:34,792 t.permission.DefaultPermissionManager INFO ?- Permission system is enabled: no [main]
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Thanks.
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Re: Best Command Station to use with Decoder Pro
On Fri, Mar 21, 2025 at 06:53 AM, Mark Granville wrote:
Do you know if there is a command station manufacturer with a lazy coder who made the “if it ain’t 0 it must be 1” assumption?
I'm aware of one that validates bit by bit as "is it zero" and if there is no ACK then it is assumed to be a one, however, after checking the eight bits it attempts to validate the assembled bits with a follow up PROG packet (0b01110100 as cmd byte). This would generate nine packets on the PROG track per CV to be read.
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Mike
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Re: The future of control and automation - thoughts?
Oh - Sorry if I cracked open a topic beyond the intended scope - though it starts with what I am learning in JMRI. And I will say I have learned a great deal from the responses here - and thank everyone for indulging the 'general' topic! I continue to be encouraged on everything from running trains manually to the most advanced topics of JMRI -and beyond!?
-Roll on :-)?
-peter
?
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Re: Best Command Station to use with Decoder Pro
I recommend Digitrax. I want to see if they were the first ones to adopt USB as a connection point. And it’s been pretty darn solid in the 20 years I’ve been using it. Larry Sloan Eat, Sleep, Work, Play with trains
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On Mar 21, 2025, at 9:04?AM, Ken Cameron via groups.io <kcameron@...> wrote:
? I posted that as ‘here is what JMRI knows’ as I know very little about ESU beyond the decoders. Like “what is CabControl” vs the ECoS stuff? ? -Ken Cameron, Member JMRI Dev Team
? ?
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Re: Best Command Station to use with Decoder Pro
Michael,
The NMRA version of RailCom, S-9.3.2 was published, in English,
back in 2012. See:
The fact that it does not include the latest updates that are
being worked out with the Rail Community is hardly any excuse for
the lack of participation by most US manufacturers.?
On the other hand, the lack of US support for RailCom (which is
virtually unknown the US market place) may be the root cause for
the lack of NMRA volunteer resources available to keep everything
current. The NMRA is its membership, and runs on its volunteers.
My guess is that the NMRA consists mostly of folks from the USA.
If it is lagging behind with RailCom, it is because there is no
volunteer running with that project. Taking a cheap shot at the
NMRA is not really a useful way out of this catch-22 situation.
JMRI does amazingly well at supporting what is being used by its
various contributors, but again, you don't see very much support
for products that we don't use. My guess is that JMRI DecoderPro
support will follow along very closely with NMRA standard product
capabilities and customer choices. I.e. we should purchase systems
that support the best programming options, not expect DecoderPro
to somehow magically make old slow designs work faster.
Dick :)
On 3/21/2025 5:01 AM, Michael Smith via
groups.io wrote:
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Show quoted text
Yes the RailCommunity specs. are all in German but if you are
a Merg member they are all available to you in English and all
up to-date unlike the NMRA versions.
?
RailCom+ is known within the RailCommunity specs. as DCC - A
(for automatic login).
?
Michael
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Re: Best Command Station to use with Decoder Pro
Ken (Moordigian),
first question for JMRI is whether the Cab-Control system is actually supported.? The pages linked are for the ECoS system, which isn't the same thing.? ?
On networking,? you should be able to solve things.? ?There's an ethernet port on the Cab-Control, so if you've a spare port on an ethernet hub/switch which can be reached from the train room, then that provides a wired connection between things.? ?(There
may be some network address ranges to sort out).? ? ? But, without anything in software to support the device, you're still stuck,? so first question needs addressing first.??
Nigel
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------ Original Message ------
Date 21/03/2025 15:29:20
Subject Re: [jmriusers] Best Command Station to use with Decoder Pro
Ken Cameron,
?
You mention JMRI support for Ecos but there is no mention there of the CabControl system.
?
I've been using the CabControl for some months, but haven't yet implemented JMRI on the layout since I'm not to that point yet.
?
I assumed there would be JMRI connectivity with no problems.? I still feel that should be true but in checking on this computer it appears to be thru a wifi link to the CabControl's "esuwifi".
As with many, I have an older computer in the train room, with an ethernet connection to the outside world, and it's not connected to the "esuwifi".?
I know I can run ethernet to the esuwifi but then it gets dodgie...
The CabControl will not hook up to the Internet via ethernet or wifi that I know of, but then again I don't know a lot.
I have yet to figure out how to connect 2 outside sources at once:? I have an ethernet port and the wireless port, but the computer, a Dell XPS, doesn't seem to want to use both at once.
Being a greedy soul, I would prefer to have both Internet and JMRI connections from the computer to the CabControl at the same time...
?
I suppose it's an ESU support issue, but if you have any insight I'd appreciate it!
?
Thanks,
?
Ken Moordigian
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Re: Best Command Station to use with Decoder Pro
I posted that as ‘here is what JMRI knows’ as I know very little about ESU beyond the decoders. Like “what is CabControl” vs the ECoS stuff? ? -Ken Cameron, Member JMRI Dev Team
? ?
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Re: Best Command Station to use with Decoder Pro
Ken (Cameron),
the JMRI support pages are for the ECoS system,? not the "CabControl" system.? ?There's nothing obvious on the JMRI pages about support for the CabControl system.??
The ESU pages say that connection is possible via the ethernet port, or via WiFi, but that's about it.? ?
- Nigel
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Show quoted text
------ Original Message ------
Date 20/03/2025 23:45:19
Subject Re: [jmriusers] Best Command Station to use with Decoder Pro
Tom,
?
The question is if the ESU command station will work with JMRI. If it does, then you have something. But I don’t recall what level of ESU command station support has been written for JMRI. But if you look at this page, it will help you
once your hardware arrives.
?
?
Fundamentally it looks like some degree of support has been around for a number of years.
?
-Ken Cameron, Member JMRI Dev Team
?
?
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thanks last night. I spent a good two hours playing around and I get the signals to change.
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Frustrating though using the script
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It doesn’t give me any feedback like syntax air like I’m used to with visual basic
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For now, I have a track sensor DB 20, and as a locomotive approaches, I just want the signal to change
And then on a timing schedule the next four signals to change in succession but delayed
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I want the engineer to see the signals change aspect
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I really need a tutor on scripting.?
Anyone up for online classes?
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Locked
Re: Best Command Station to use with Decoder Pro
Ken Cameron,
?
You mention JMRI support for Ecos but there is no mention there of the CabControl system.
?
I've been using the CabControl for some months, but haven't yet implemented JMRI on the layout since I'm not to that point yet.
?
I assumed there would be JMRI connectivity with no problems.? I still feel that should be true but in checking on this computer it appears to be thru a wifi link to the CabControl's "esuwifi".
As with many, I have an older computer in the train room, with an ethernet connection to the outside world, and it's not connected to the "esuwifi".?
I know I can run ethernet to the esuwifi but then it gets dodgie...
The CabControl will not hook up to the Internet via ethernet or wifi that I know of, but then again I don't know a lot.
I have yet to figure out how to connect 2 outside sources at once:? I have an ethernet port and the wireless port, but the computer, a Dell XPS, doesn't seem to want to use both at once.
Being a greedy soul, I would prefer to have both Internet and JMRI connections from the computer to the CabControl at the same time...
?
I suppose it's an ESU support issue, but if you have any insight I'd appreciate it!
?
Thanks,
?
Ken Moordigian
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Thanks everyone for your input, I now have a lot to ponder and experiment with.
?
Scott
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I've done this with Dispatcher and SignalMasts using the "Held" state. Each train would release the next train's SignalMast when it completed it's run.
--SteveT
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Thank you, Willem, I’ll take a look at your scripts.
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Re: Best Command Station to use with Decoder Pro
On Fri, 21 Mar 2025 03:55:12 EDT Mick Moignard wrote: Actually, the decoder is not asked 8 questions, one for each bit. In Direct Bit mode, it’s as 16 questions, because it asks whether each bit is 0 and then 1, to be sure of a positive answer for one of the questions. No assumptions here; the bit can’t be assumed to be 1 if it’s not zero, because something could have gone wrong with the 0 question.
This makes sense. Mick – Is this ‘failsafe’ procedure in the NMRA Standards? I’ll try to check. Do you know if there is a command station manufacturer with a lazy coder who made the “if it ain’t 0 it must be 1” assumption?
Mark
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Steve_G, I don't believe in anything "dumb luck". Genius.
?
AD, my "virtual" turnout occupancy block is not mired in Logix.
It looks complicated but really simple in either Logix or LogixNG:
- For turnout state closed and both blocks on that path are active then turnout occupied (set virtual block active).
- For turnout state thrown and both blocks on that path are active then turnout occupied (set virtual block active).
- Otherwise, turnout is unoccupied (set virtual block inactive).
Proper timing to satisfy Dispatcher is done in the debounce times of the blocks indicating occupancy:
- Blocks on either side of the turnout are set debounce active 500 ms, inactive 0 ms.
- Virtual block debounce active 0 ms and inactive 500 ms.
The nice part of this is that there is no need for additional detection hardware and the block occupancy doesn't disappear.
And it's as simple as my old pea brain can keep track of.
?
The caveat is that all rolling stock is detected.
It's as close to prototype operating safety as I can achieve.
?
I have one other standard design feature that really doesn't affect any of this.?
I buffer each hardware detector sensor with a virtual sensor set by Logix(NG) - detect active makes virtual active, otherwise inactive.
I do that so I can simulate occupancy with a panel toggle for testing purposes.
?
--
Ken NYNH&H, Old Colony Division, Cape Cod Branch (1949-1959) Loconet * JMRI 5.11.1 * OSX,Win10,Ubuntu
Blog: ?
Youtube:
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Re: Best Command Station to use with Decoder Pro
Yes the RailCommunity specs. are all in German but if you are a Merg member they are all available to you in English and all up to-date unlike the NMRA versions.
?
RailCom+ is known within the RailCommunity specs. as DCC - A (for automatic login).
?
Michael
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Re: Signal Mast Logic
#sml
Hi,
?
I have everything working now.
Many thanks for your help.
?
Regards
?
Dave
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Re: Best Command Station to use with Decoder Pro
Nigel
The NMRA is on the case now on RailCom, in partnership with RailCommunity.
Mick
______________________________________
Mick Moignard
mick@...
p:+44 7774 652504
The week may start M, T, but it always ends WTF!
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Locked
Re: Best Command Station to use with Decoder Pro
Actually, the decoder is not asked 8 questions, one for each bit. In Direct
Bit mode, it’s as 16 questions, because it asks whether each bit is 0 and
then 1, to be sure of a positive answer for one of the questions. No
assumptions here; the bit can’t be assumed to be 1 if it’s not zero,
because something could have gone wrong with the 0 question.
In both Page and Direct Byte mode, it’s up to 256 questions, because it
asks 0, 255, then 1,2,4 up to 254, stopping when it gets an
acknowledgement.
Remember the decoder can only say “yes” as a positive answer. It can’t say
“No” and the command station should not take the lack of an answer to be
the end of the question. It will (should!) only pass back an answer on
positive receipt of “Yes” - ack pulse - responses.
Mick
______________________________________
Mick Moignard
mick@...
p:+44 7774 652504
The week may start M, T, but it always ends WTF!
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Dear Steve
How do i tell the layout panel that the block the switch is in i a ghost block?
Tony
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On Mar 20, 2025, at 9:18?AM, Steve_G via groups.io <RailRodder22@...> wrote:
? Tony
Head Only.
This means that only the head of the train can be detected.
You must specify a train length and all your blocks must have their lengths specified.
It works best if you use speed profiles.
When the head of train leaves a block, that block will not be released until the calculated position of the tail is beyond it. The section will not show occupied, but it will continue to show allocated during this period.
?
The very serious disadvantages are that if a train breaks in two another train? can crash into the tail, if the head stutters, stalls or plays silly Bs then the position of the tail is nolonger reliable and another crash happens. It cannot be used for forth and back running. I recommend the use of a remotely controlled power outlet for the command station and boosters, no keep alives, no analog, no resume on track power on, and that a twenty year old in top mental and physical condition keeps the remote control in their hand.?
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Ghosts.
Ghost blocks were designed for those short pieces of track needed to join 2 switchs and keep the block routing table / SML straight. The fact they appear to work for switchs was pure dumb luck.? Do not use with head only. The train must always be in a detected block and not disappear into a ghost.
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Mike Dunston
Ken Cameron
Canadian Locomotive Logistics
Ken Moordigian
Ken Heywood