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Penn Lake 8: JMRI + Sprog Journals/Blogs
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Frequent poster 546 posts nbrodar Frequent poster 546 posts
nbrodar

I run my layout using CVP's EasyDCC. While I like how it operates and especially the handheld throttles, the computer connection is royal pain, due to the serial RJ jack.  You had to custom build a 9 pin serial to RJ cable, and I was never able to make it work.

CVP now offers the serial to RJ adapter, but when's the last time anyone saw a computer with a serial port.  So now I would have to convert USB to SERIAL to RJ.  Just seems like a recipe for problems.

So instead, I'm going with a stand along programming solution using Sprog and JMRI Decoder Pro.  The cost of the Sprog actually wasn't that much more then the USB to serial and serial to RG adapters.

Nick Brodar

Nick

Visit the Penn Lake Railway Blog at Model Railroad Hobbyist
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jeffshultz MRH Staff 7,978 posts
jeffshultz

USB to Serial to EasyDCC

I've done it, it works, but yeah, it would be nice if they would update the CS2 with a USB port. 

I have gone with the same solution as you for a programming track, but for a different reason - I wanted to be able to work on, and program, my locos in the living room. Where the tv and my wife is.

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Jeff Shultz - MRH Technical Assistant
DCC Features Matrix/My blog index
Modeling a fictional GWI shortline combining three separate areas into one freelance-ish railroad.
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nbrodar Frequent poster 546 posts
nbrodar

Set Up and Running!

My Sprog came today, and of course I had to set up and start learning it.  Programing track, Sprog, laptop.  Sometime, I want to find a larger board so I can mount the Sprog and power supply to it.
MRI%2001.jpg 

Adding new roster entry:
MRI%2002.jpg 

Starting the programming effort:
MRI%2003.jpg 

For the techies, I'm running Linux Mint 19 "Tara", so the screens might look slightly different, than those running Windows.

Nick

Visit the Penn Lake Railway Blog at Model Railroad Hobbyist
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anteaum2666 MRH Author 2,824 posts
anteaum2666

Where does one find a SPROG?

?

 

Oh, forget it, DUH, I followed the link.

Michael - Superintendent and Chief Engineer
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skiwiggy Prolific poster 1,147 posts
skiwiggy

Thank You

I would like to thank Nick for stoppng by today and programming about 10 locomotives.  He got to play around with his new computer the SPROG, JMRI and a lot of idle locomotives that I have been staring at for  perhaps a year or more.  

Nick also took a look at my Walthers turntable but, I am sure he preferred the programming of locomotives over trouble shooting of the table.  We both walked away from that one.  We tried. 

 

Thank You Nick!

 

 
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nbrodar Frequent poster 546 posts
nbrodar

Answers

Jeff, that is also a good reason.  Working where the family is.

Micheal, you can get a Sprog, right from Sprog.  However, I got mine from Yankee Dabbler.

Greg, you are welcome.  Honestly, I never want to look at that turntable again!  But at least it turns.

Nick

Visit the Penn Lake Railway Blog at Model Railroad Hobbyist
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