Hey John, your eMail is bouncing, just checking in to see how you are doing. Joe Baldwin aka Joe Daddy
Oh, you don't need JMRI, most of the DCC systems out there will control the decoders.
You are correct, there is alot to learn and absorb if you are starting from scratch. But the hard work of developing and integrating DCC decoder...
I believe the answer is yes. Check out Geoff Bunzas work on MRH website and Dave Bodnar's Trainelectronics.com sites for the information you seek.
As someone has already mentioned, you can run your layout with only a single connection, however, I would recommend you run a 14 gauge speaker...
I just renewed my MR subscription for 3 years. RMC and I never clicked. I thought it would grow on me, but it didn't. I wish them well and will...
