Hey guys,
It isn't the standard blue tooth protocol, but the BLE blue tooth low energy protocol.
Which was designed for short range of 10 meters, low energy consumption and long operation time.
The Massoth document combines that with a long range.
That's strange, because it wasn't designed for that.
According to the manual you can increase the R/C range up to 400 meters.
What isn't mentioned that in that case the energy consumption is enormous.
So that works only whit means powering, not on batteries.
And there must be a clear line of sight.
So no trees, bushes , buildings or persons in the way between.
And it is not a standard setting, it must be activated in the software.
And in the case of the application at Massoth the range is limited in my experience to 20 -25 meters and not the 50 meters stated in their manual.
With a strong increase of battery use.
What is important is that the 2,4 GHz signal does not penetrate walls and object as well as the 400 MHz/900MHz signal.
So when comparing the range it is important to know where the receiver is placed.
Mine was placed at the same spot in the house as before with the 400 MHz system.
Massoth also changed the BLE chipset along the way since the introduction in 2019.
First:
CYBLE 224110-00
2,4 GHz BLE Version 4.1
Second:
CYBLE 224116-01
2,4 GHz BLE Version 4.2
Also the Massoth software is different between these two versions.
As you can see in the update guidance, which makes a difference between the two chip sets.
So it might be that the behaviour is also different.
I got the latest second chipset.
With all the issues mentioned before.
The sudden breakdown of the R/C connection I didn't exprience.
But some colleagues in Germany and Switzerland did get that issues.
Not sure which chips set they had.
An example was a consist of 4 Harz bull steam locomotives going haywire after a R/C connection break down.
Nothing helped.
Diesel2000
Thanks for the Massoth document.
There is no BLE 4.2 Long range protocol.
Only the extended range which comes with all the disadvantages.
Greg Elmassian
The 2,4 GHz BLE protocol is definitely not a long range system.
It was not designed for that purpose.
So yes, it is odd that Massoth did choose that protocol.
And it's certainly not a long range 2,4 GHz Zigbee protocol, which Zimo uses.
Overhere in Europe the 2,4 GHz BLE system wasn't well adapted by the Massoth users.
Certainly not by those who had the 400 MHz system running along with on a bigger layout.
They will stay away from it as long as possible.
It might work on a smaller layout within shorter range with a single navigator.
The main disadvantages:
- Much shorter range than 400 MHz
- Only 4 users at a receiver
- Strong increased battery usage
- R/C connection issues
Range issues:
- Metal objects
- Walls and buildings
- Water, especially human bodies
I learned a lot more about R/C systems than I would like to know in order to run my trains.
All my Massoth 2,4 GHz components are on the way to Massoth for the second time.
With an extensive list of issues to be solved.
Depending on the analysis by Massoth I will make the decision if I stay with the Massoth system or not.
That's a shame after all my years from 2005 with the Massoth system.
Regards,
Wilco
