EPF or Extended Packet Format:
an extension of the baseline DCC format
that allows us to use four digit addressing and other expanded decoder features.
The extended packet format is used by most DCC companies.
FN or Fn: Shorthand for Function
F0:
Shorthand for Function 0. F0 is two functions in one. F0 Forward controls
the white function lead and F0 Reverse controls the yellow function lead.
Digitrax ships all decoders set up for automatically reversing head/tail lights
using F0 Fwd and F0 Rev. These can be programmed to operate separately and
be controlled by the operator if you do not want automatic operation.
Fast clock:
used by many operators during operating sessions to simulate pro-
totypical operations. Traditionally, the fast clock is on the wall and is set up to
run at a faster than normal time so that you can “get in a full day’s work on the
railroad in a fraction of the time.”
Functions, Decoder:
function leads are extra decoder wires that you can con-
nect to any device on the loco that you want to control from the hand held or
other input device such as a computer. These can be used for locomotive light-
ing, sound units, smoke units, and other locomotive animation tasks.
FX Functions:
specially designed functions (available on Digitrax FX series
decoders) that let you set up lights on your loco to simulate Mars lights, Gyra
lights, ditch lights, rotating beacons, single or double pulse strobes, flashing
lights, random firebox flicker and more. CVs 49-63 are used to set up these
special light effects.
Idle (Loco Status):
DCC locomotive that has been addressed by the system
previously, is currently selectable by a throttle on LocoNet, and is not being
refreshed.
In-Use (Loco Status):
DCC locomotive that is currently selected on a throttle
connected to LocoNet. An in-use loco is having its data refreshed by the com-
mand station and is not selectable by other throttles on LocoNet. The exception
to this is if a throttle “steals” an in-use loco
L: L
eft throttle,
L
eft reverse key,
L
eft side of DT400 display
Loadable Speed Table:
use CV65 through CV95 to enter a value for each dis-
crete speed step in a 28 speed step curve. This feature allows you to customize
a loco’s performance curve and makes speed matching of locomotives possible.
With this feature you can limit the top speed of a loco. Once you have pro-
grammed CV65 through CV95 to set up the table, you will also need to set up
CV29 to enable it. This allows you to enable and disable the table at will and to
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