Extending Massoth Wireless Range

[supagav]

Thanks again folks for the input, I will definitely keep you updated!

Mums: do you remember the post you read about the two receivers? I was under the impression that it would be ok but I
I could quite easily be wrong! I should probably post a question on the
Massoth forum myself and see what they say.

Thanks for the help, G

 

[sparky230]

you can get black external cat 5e,

 

[PhilP]

you can get black external cat 5e,

I know..
BUT,
Didn't / don't have any, and not worth buying a 305 metre box when I can use 'offcuts' of ordinary.. For my own use it is fine, though redundant for data as I have fibre to the shed!

Sadly, I no longer run a PDP 11 in there which kept the damp off everything.

 

[muns]

Thanks again folks for the input, I will definitely keep you updated!

Mums: do you remember the post you read about the two receivers? I was under the impression that it would be ok but I
I could quite easily be wrong! I should probably post a question on the
Massoth forum myself and see what they say.

Thanks for the help, G

Its on the German Massoth Forum.... http://forum.massoth.de/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=114

Copied via Google Translate...

Two radio receiver possible?

Contributionby Matthias »Wed August 28, 2007 11:45 am

Hi,
I have in my system a 'Dead Zone' (behind the house), I can not solve with a Umplazierung the radio receiver. Is it possible to use a second radio receiver to the center (DiMAX 1200Z) to connect? Sincerely, Matthias

....

Contributionof N.Rosch (Massoth) »Tue August 28, 2007 12:18 pm

Hello Matthias Unfortunately this is not possible, since we use a bidirectional radio system. The beudeutet that the receiver and also the Navigator send and receive data, respectively. Would now with a 2.Empfäger an additional device to input data it salad. You'd need a sogentannten "repeaters" who gets the signals from the first receiver and retransmits then amplified in one direction (so that the 1.Empfänger shall not be disturbed again). It is in this frequency range freely admitted not so easy. A remedy could also be the incorporation of a modified transmitter. This has no integrated antenna but similar to the LGB phone's external flexible antenna. Customers who have already converted, report the average of such a large range about twice (with no guarantee for local conditions), what our field strength measurements confirm here that way. The conversion of the transmitter is likely about 20, - € cost. Greetings, Norbert

Note: Not sure conversion is possible, you will have to ask them directly. The extended transmitter is the direct result of this.

 

[supagav]

Thanks for that Mark, thats really helpful. I've posted the same question on the English Massoth forum so hopefully they will get back to me and let me know.


Many thanks to all for all of your input, I will let you know how I get on!

 

[supagav]

Just a quick update. After speaking to Massoth themselves they confirmed what you had already said Mark, that it is not possible to run a second receiver from the same central station. They said that the only realistic option is to upgrade our navigators with the newer extended range board. We have one on order so I will let you all know how I get on when it arrives.

If all is successful I think we would like to slowly upgrade all three of our navigators and I wanted to ask if anyone would be interested in the existing RC boards? They would be in perfect working order about two years old, and are only being removed due to an upgrade. I'm not ready yet but I would like to ask here to see if they are useful to anyone?

Thanks again for all of your help folks, it is very much appreciated.

 

[supagav]

Hi folks,

Just a quick update on our search to improve the range and signal related problems we have been having with our wireless Navigators, I finally received a new RC Sender Plus board yesterday.

It was an extremely easy install which involved merely switching the two boards round, with the only point of note being to carefully measure and drill a new hole in the case to allow the wire of the aerial to exit the body.

The photo below shows the new finished handset:



Stupidly I forgot to take any more photos but I have another to do this week, so I would be more than happy to post a little how-to to help others if anyone is interested?

PS: As I am removing the standard wireless boards from these units, if anyone would be interested in these then please do let me know. They would be ideal for anyone who has a standard tethered unit which they would like to upgrade to wireless operation.

 

[PhilP]

Yes please!

 

[beavercreek]

Glad to see that you are now sorted Gav. The new board should be good for controlling locos from the ned of the street......LOL

 

[supagav]

Thanks Mike, that's what I'm hoping!

I haven't had a chance to try the full range yet but to be honest, any extra gain it could give us will be more than ample for our plot. We only have an extra few meters or so that are out range of the base station, although it will be nice to know we have that should we need it!

 

[dunnyrail]

I see that putting an extended Radio Board into the Massoth is not a big deal. Just a couple of questions:-

1 What is the cost of each new Board.
2 The Massoth Ref Number of this Board.
3 are there any Navigator Restrictions as these have been upgraded of late I believe. Mine are now all over 3 years old.
4 Will there be any Base Station Restrictions.
5 Do I need a New RC Reciever.

Many thanks,
JonD

 

[muns]

1 - From me (GRO) - £89
2 - 8133301
3 - not that I'm aware of.
4 - not that I'm aware of.
5 - no.

I see that putting an extended Radio Board into the Massoth is not a big deal. Just a couple of questions:-

1 What is the cost of each new Board.
2 The Massoth Ref Number of this Board.
3 are there any Navigator Restrictions as these have been upgraded of late I believe. Mine are now all over 3 years old.
4 Will there be any Base Station Restrictions.
5 Do I need a New RC Reciever.

Many thanks,
JonD

 

[supagav]

Thanks for the input and completely agree with you Mark. I don't think there are any problems like that. The handset I put the new board into is at least a few years old now and seems to working fine. I'll play more with it and let you know but I can't imagine there would be any issues.

 

[supagav]

Just a quick update as I had a chance this morning to test out our Navigators with the new RC Plus boards fitted.

What a difference!!! All of our range problems were completely sorted as now our whole plot is completely covered. I also walked down the road and could still happily have full control of a locomotive! All in all a complete sucess and whilst I do understand that they are not the cheapest, for anyone who is having the same problems as us I would whole heartidly recommend them as a simple and very neat solution.

I did take some photos as I fitted the board into our second handset so I will post a wee how-to when I get a spare moment.

PS: I don't think it was crucial to this install but I updated our RC receiver and Navigators all to the latest firmware available.

 

[supagav]

Here is a few photos of the new RC Plus board that I put in to two of our Navigators. Sorry for the delay but it`s the first time I`ve managed to get in front of the computer since G-Rail!

First picture shows the removal of the batteries, then the 5 screws that secure the back piece of the navigator casing:



The next two show the unit with the rear cover removed. The first picture shows the original standard RC sender board (right hand side of the picture, behind where the screen is located):



And secondly with the board removed showing the plug connector. This board can be easily removed by hand, just take care to be gentle, and as you would with any circuit board, watch out for static by touching an unpainted metal surface before handling:



Here is the new RC Plus board, slightly smaller than the original board:



Here is a shot showing the board in place. Again this just slides in gently, taking care to align the new board with the existing connector:



The final part is just to drill a small hole in the body of the unit to allow the new cable to exit. The massoth instructions were not very exact with the horizontal position of the hole so I just lightly placed the cover back on to take a marking on the bottom edge of the case:



I followed the massoth diagram and measured up 14mm, and then drilled a small hole with a pin vice. They said 2.4mm, but I found a 2.2mm was a nicer fit:



I finally fed the cable through the hole:



Lastly I gently closed the case, making sure that the new cable was properly aligned, before I put back the small screws. It should look like the photo in the previous post.

All in all this was quite straight forward and has made an wonderful difference! Thumbs up Massoth!

 

[dunnyrail]

With many thanks to Supergav who showed us how easy it is to fit and Muns for Super Fast delivery, I now have one of my Massoth's kitted out with an extended Aireal. It has solved all the probleems that I had. No Tin Lids required! All I have to do now is save up for 3 more!

At least on Operating Sessions I will be able to leave the one with extended range by the Home Signal for the Station that needs it I.E. Gernrode, then drivers will need to Stop at the Home Signal where the non Modified Controllers work OK too. Swop loco from one Controller to the extended range one. Do Station work at Gerndrode and then do the Controller Swop on Departure. What a taradiddle!

JonD

 

[supagav]

Hi Jon,

I'm really glad it worked for you! We have the same issues too. 2 of 3 Navigators have the new chips so the final one is to be kept for switching/shunting duties around the shed and lower garden, whilst the others are free to roam the system.

All the little tweaks and modifications we did to the aerial made hardly any difference, but the new RC board is great. We were out over the Easter weekend running trains and we both had absolutely no signal drop out at all. Was such a joy after months and months of tearing our hair out on this!