08/20/05
MTH TIU and Handheld Remote Antenna Add-on Modification to Extend MTH DCS Handheld
Remote Operation Range:
Background of operation: The MTH DCS (Digital Command Control System) utilizes: (1) a
wireless handheld remote with LCD screen and (2) a
base receiver & track interface called a TIU. (There is a third device, an AIU, for accessories) The TIU goes between the output of an
AC / DC power
supply and the power lines that goes to the track. The TIU accepts the
wireless signal from the handheld remote and converts it into a
digital signal that is fed with the power through the track to the MTH DCS equipped engine(s). The wireless remote is supposed to
have a 50ft operating range.
I found that since I was mounting my TIU in the basement
(behind a wall), it's range was severely
restricted (to 10-40 feet depending on
where you were).
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Improving the range of the wireless remote:
I have found that adding to the length of the
existing TIU antenna would yield a much better range.
**Note: Although I have information on
modifying the remote antenna, I recommend just adding length to the TIU's
antenna and not modify the remote. In most cases,
where you locate your TIU and the TIU antenna mod will resolve any range
problems you are having.**
**Caution, ensure you stay grounded when doing these modifications.
Static electricity can damage the transmitter board **
STEP 1: Lengthening the TIU
antenna
- Flip the TIU upside down and remove the 6 screws
holding the top and bottom pieces together and remove the top cover.
Photo two shows the short antenna that comes with the RF
transmitter board. (In this case I've added a solderless joiner)
- Next:
- Solder the ~13 inch wire to the end of existing antenna wire and heat shrink
the new connection. (I used ~20 gauge wire, finely stranded)
- Hot glue the wire to the top of the black audio connector to the right.
This will ensure the RF board isn't pulled out of the TIU motherboard if the new
antenna is pulled on too hard.
- Drill out a small hole between two of the vent grills so you can push the new
antenna through
- Reattach the top cover of the TIU.
- Take a good size screw driver and coil the new antenna wire around it.
- Create an arch as shown in the photos below.
That's it.
STEP 2: Lengthening the Remote
antenna: (Note: I would only
attempt this if absolutely necessary. Your end results may vary.)
When installing your new antenna in the DCS remote, first de-solder the
two wires from the Splatch internal antenna board. (Desoldering the
existing Splatch antenna will give you better range.) You should now have the
two wires still connected to the main DCS remote 'mother' board. The
remote wire that is the antenna is the small insulated
copper wire that is inside the black wire.
The silver colored wire that surrounds it is a grounding wire. Peal the
grounding wire back from the antenna wire a bit and take a small bit of the DCS
antenna wire insulation off. Simply solder the new phone antenna wire on
to the end of the DCS antenna. Wrap in electrical tape or heat shrink.
Insert the new extended antenna inside the new external antenna you've fitted on
to the end of the DCS remote. (see pictures below) Reassemble and you are
ready to go.
That is all there is to it.
I also took the opportunity to use the battery
cover pad from the phone handset for use in the DCS remote. It was much
larger and should hold the batteries in place much better. One issue I
always had was if you bumped the remote too hard the batteries would come loose
and the remote would loose power.
See the below pictures to see how to do
everything.
*** Please note, be careful when doing this
mod, it may void your warranty! ****
Here is the phone I took the antennas from:
One thing, fresh 1.5v alkaline batteries seem to yield a little
better range than the 1.2v
rechargeables.
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