New Digitrax Duplex Radio in Beta testing

[mmyers]

The cat's out of the bag. Digitrax went live with their new duplex throttle and reciver at the Derby City Express yesterday. One of the new UR92's is mounted on BANTRAK's yard. New throttles will be  DT402D and UT4D. The DT400 look's like a DT400 with new label. Would expect the UT4D to be about the same. With my eyes couldn't tell the difference at 6 feet.

Martin Myers

[John]

Martin .. tell them that you want to bring it over to my house for more "testing"

[John]

From the Digitrax list

From: wagenkessel
 
Digitrax Duplex Radio Control is fully LocoNet compatible and will
NOT require any command station upgrades to run. It will run on all
existing LocoNet systems including those running Simplex Radio &
Infrared.
Digitrax Duplex Radio involves new throttles (DT402D & UT4D) and new
radio receiver panel (UR92).   
There will be additional new functionalities on the new throttles
that will be disclosed at a later date.
 Pricing has not yet been established for these products and they are
NOT available for pre- order at this time.
You will receive a product release Digi-Fax when we are ready to take
orders for the new throttles and receivers.
We will announce an upgrade program so that if your customers choose
to add Duplex Radio, they may (at a yet-to-be determined charge) send
any DT400 throttles for upgrading - (Since this involves radio, FCC
requires upgrades be done by Digitrax).
Simplex Radio will continue to be available from Digitrax for those
who want to continue running Simplex Radio.  Customers who are happy
with their existing radio systems can keep running them, even when
DT402D units are added to them.

[wendell camp]

Martin .. tell them that you want to bring it over to my house for more "testing"

Yes we could pass it around like the forum cars : On second guess they disappeared so guess its not a good idea

[mmyers]

Haven't been able to get my hands on a DT402D. The receiver on our yard has been unplugged from loconet. I've seen one more with tape over their sockets. Guess there are still some bugs to work out.

Martin

[mmyers]

Martin .. tell them that you want to bring it over to my house for more "testing"

Yes we could pass it around like the forum cars : On second guess they disappeared so guess its not a good idea

A UP5 could be screwed to the faceplate

[asciibaron]

We will announce an upgrade program so that if your customers choose
to add Duplex Radio, they may (at a yet-to-be determined charge) send
any DT400 throttles for upgrading - (Since this involves radio, FCC
requires upgrades be done by Digitrax).

um, no - they could simply sell the upgrade boards. 

-Steve

[Ian MacMillan]

We will announce an upgrade program so that if your customers choose
to add Duplex Radio, they may (at a yet-to-be determined charge) send
any DT400 throttles for upgrading - (Since this involves radio, FCC
requires upgrades be done by Digitrax).

um, no - they could simply sell the upgrade boards. 

-Steve

Exactly...like how they sell upgrade boards for FM mobile/portable radios.

[mmyers]

I have a feeling that Digitrax will be collecting the old DT400 boards as part of the upgrade price. Dave Cheney told me that some of the DT400R parts are getting harder to get. NOT impossible, just harder.
DT402D also has 28 functions available. The function key is used as a shift key. The extra functions will be automatic included in a DT400R to DT402D upgrade. DT402D will have no compatibility with a UR91. A UR92 will be needed as well.
Hopefully, there will be some type of upgrade path for the DT400's and UT4's (non radio).

Martin

[wcfn100]

"Exactly...like how they sell upgrade boards for FM mobile/portable radios."

Is that really the same?  The Digitrax upgrades adds radio where what you mentioned upgrades something that already has radio.

Jason

[Ian MacMillan]

"Exactly...like how they sell upgrade boards for FM mobile/portable radios."

Is that really the same?  The Digitrax upgrades adds radio where what you mentioned upgrades something that already has radio.

Jason

I was referring to sending in DT400Rs to make them DT402D's.  They did say "any" DT400, and a DT400R basically just a next trim level.

[wcfn100]

"Exactly...like how they sell upgrade boards for FM mobile/portable radios."

Is that really the same?  The Digitrax upgrades adds radio where what you mentioned upgrades something that already has radio.

Jason

I was referring to sending in DT400Rs to make them DT402D's.  They did say "any" DT400, and a DT400R basically just a next trim level.

Sounds like an assumption to me.  Maybe someone should double check the DT400R's since they are not specified.

Jason

[Ian MacMillan]

"Exactly...like how they sell upgrade boards for FM mobile/portable radios."

Is that really the same?  The Digitrax upgrades adds radio where what you mentioned upgrades something that already has radio.

Jason

I was referring to sending in DT400Rs to make them DT402D's.  They did say "any" DT400, and a DT400R basically just a next trim level.

Sounds like an assumption to me.  Maybe someone should double check the DT400R's since they are not specified.

Jason

It is at this point. I found it odd that they would word it "any DT400" and not "a DT400".   "Any" makes it sound like the whole "400" series.

[mmyers]

I have feeling that the decision to upgrade In House only  is a well thought out business move. After reading some of the posts on various DCC forums, I've come to the conclusion that Digitrax has made the right decision.

BTW, "any DT400" is the correct wording. 

[Ian MacMillan]

BTW, "any DT400" is the correct wording. 

My bad, I went and re-read the release.. the post said "any DT400 throttles"  I read it late and thought it said "any DT400 throttle" which would have implied a series of DT400's not a group of DT400's.