PTBs are the translators that allow easy communication
between older command stations and all decoders. They
in essence interpret the current flow through the newer
decoders and tell the older command station what is really
happening, based on the new NMRA standard.
With my spotty Spanish, I can order a beer and find the
restrooms in Mexico. But I cannot communicate easily
with native speakers. Similarly, there are “fixes” for sound
decoder programming problems recommended on the web.
They include adding light bulbs or resistors to the program-
ming track. They are patches. They may or may not work
with a specific command station and a specific decoder.
There is nothing about a PTB that prevents it from being used with
any decoder of any vintage. So, I recommend, if you are working
with decoders that your command station isn’t understanding,
buy a PTB for about $60 and install it between your command
station and your program-
ming track and leave it. The
SoundTraxx PTB-100 gets the
most consistent “thumbs-up”
from users. Or, get a newer sys-
tem; like a PowerCab or a V3.6
Lenz system.
The other way: on
the main
Sometimes referred to as
Ops-Mode Programming
(Po in Digitrax parlance)
or sometimes abbreviated
POM, Programming on the
Main allows you to write CVs
MRH-May 2014
