HO MOD SIG MONTHLY MTG. MINUTES, Aug 9, 2008, Black Bear Diner in Redmond
by Norm C, Chairman

COMMENTS:
1. Meeting Date: The next meeting is Sept 13, ‘08, 8:30 am, breakfast at Black Bear Diner in Redmond.

PAST SHOWS:
2. None

NEXT SHOWS:
3. Other show’s status: Norm
NETC: Norm, Maybe September or November (preferred). We’ll have to wait and see.
Maple Valley: Ross, Still no response from hosts. Please try and contact again.
Lynden: Pete coordinate.
GTE: Puyallup, Nov 15-17, Mike, We are on "the list" (Free layouts have priority)
MTF: (Model Train Festival, Tacoma). They have requested photos, so we have made contact. As this pays $$, we’ll want some of our best, most sceniced modules there. This should include completed backboards.

NEW BUSINESS:
4. Height of backdrops: Bob B, We touched on this previously and revisited it again this time. The current height of 16" above the track roadbed is probably arbitrary, therefore not cast in concrete. Some advantages of the current backboard are that 16" provides a more complete background, and it hides the "junk" behind the scenes. Disadvantages of the current height are that it’s practically impossible to reach trains from the inside. Also a significantly lower backboard would allow more junk to show over the top and be less scenic.
Some adjustments offered were to:
a. allow lower heights for yards, hopefully with transition boards at the ends.
b. encourage removable backboards. A variation could be a dropdown via a hinge
c. allow backboards of various heights
d. lower the current standard by 1 or more inches.
f. [any more ideas, send them to me]
The present plan calls for a re-examination of this topic at a show where we can see the effects of lowering backboards by 1 or more inches, then decide how to proceed.
5. Free-mo: Norm
A hot topic on the 4D Yahoo mail is Free-mo. There seems to be a lot of interest, but it is scattered. You will probably see more in the GI on this topic this year. One area of interest is their interaction with the HO modulars. Maybe some of our group wants to build Free-mo modules, which are much more prototypical and operational or join together at shows. At this point, we are open to any and all ideas, but right off the top they have a 62" height and use Digitrax to start the list of conflicts. The North End Clinic is going to focus on Free-mo this year, so if you are interested, you might want to attend some of these clinics. http://www.free-mo.org/

OLD BUSINESS:
6. NCE RADIO UPGRADES: Norm
We are still waiting until we have a gap in shows to send them in and there may be a waiting period. Although we have no shows now, the waiting list takes us into show season. If you have a radio cab, you may want to us to send it in at the same time.
7. DCC Packet Analyzer: Allan
We have been looking at ways to check our DCC Cab bus signals. One possibility is a DCC Packet Analyzer from Hobby Labs. These cost about $40. Allan has a computer digital scope that probably will provide what we need. We’re trying to get this working to test our cab bus.

8. EPROM upgrade: Norm
We upgraded the NCE EPROM last year and found that it interfered with the computer programming. Recently we found that the new EPROM uses binary instead of simple text to communicate, so neither EasyRamp, nor DecoderPro could communicate with the Command station. We had to make a choice.
A. New EPROM, advanced features of chip, only DecoderPro, no EasyRamp
B. Old EPROM, no new features, EasyRamp and DecoderPro
Bob and I spent a morning examining DecoderPro. We found it extremely slow and difficult. For now, we’re going to switch back to the old EPROM and use EasyRamp.
9. Work Party, Norm
We had a very successful work party on 7/12, painting about 18 backboards. If you need to do foreground, I hope that you get started promptly. If you want help, I’ll do what I can. It helps to have your module or pictures of it to help design the foreground.
The next work party will be on redoing the Westin modules. When I accumulate the necessary materials, I’ll post a site and time.
10. Module Handling system: Paul
He says that he has revised the original system. We’re looking forward to seeing this in operation.
11. BBQ at Cherry Valley: Tom
I think that Tom will be holding a BBQ at Cherry Valley to kick off the 2008-09 season following the Sept. breakfast. A lot more areas have been completed like the turntable, car ferry, and Black Diamond. Watch for confirmation on the date.