Page 52 - 38. MRH13-04-Apr2013

manufacturers. If a loco, marketed as "DCC-Ready," fails this
test, it belongs in either the "DCC-Aware" category or the “DCC
Ignorant” category.
Figure 2 shows the Athearn Ready-to-Run light board
(outside of a loco). Once you remove the shell, you see this
on top of the motor. You simply remove the (white) JST
plug and adapter board and plug in the JST decoder of your
choosing. Almost every DCC manufacturer makes JST (9-pin)
connectored decoders.
Another example of truly "DCC-Ready" is the Atlas C424 in
figure 3. After removing the shell, installation is simply a matter
of plugging the decoder into the NEM-652 (8-pin) socket.
DCC-Aware
The next level is what I call "DCC-Aware." By this term I mean
that the manufacturer was aware of the needs of DCC and
designed their product for easy decoder instalation.
Things like easy access to the wiring and total motor isolation
go a long way toward filling this bill. Isolated light wiring helps,
too. NMRA DCC color code compliance is the icing on the cake.
4
4: Model Power N-scale steamer has room for an
HO-sized decoder.
DCC Impulses Column - 4
index contents
MRH-Apr 2013