The following link is to my RCS-Beltrol remote control system test video posted on Youtube. The New system uses 2.4Ghz Spektrum DX5e tranmitter and AR500 5 channel receiver. Multiple locos can be lashed up or run separately. Although not demonstrated in this video, the system can trigger whistle/horn or bell on demand as well as automaticaly through the shound board. The F3 pictured used a Phoenix P9 sound system.
JimC.
Today I hooked up the sound trigger board. It was extremely simple. The horn or bell is actuated by moving the throttle lever horizontally. The horn is to left os center. the bell is to right of center.
JimC.
Jim,
Is the horn control proportional or just a momentary contact? i.e, if a whistle is “playable” like a real whistle, would it react to the position of the joystick? That’s not a common feature with digital sound systems, though I’ve heard some sound boards accommodate that (or are working to that end).
Later,
K
Kevin.
At the moment it is just a simple contact.
I have had brief contact with Phoenix about making the whistle playable. They liked the idea and it may happen in the future.
Firstly they needed to have a reliable Digital Proportional (DP) control system for large scale locos on the market.
The BELTROL range of ESC’s provides the reliable control system, so perhaps such a playable whistle/horn will be forthcoming sooner rather than later.
2.4 GHz DP radios will offer all sorts of easily animated features such as controlled uncoupling using ultra miniature servos.
TonyWalsham said:
Kevin.At the moment it is just a simple contact.
I have had brief contact with Phoenix about making the whistle playable. They liked the idea and it may happen in the future.
Firstly they needed to have a reliable Digital Proportional (DP) control system for large scale locos on the market.
The BELTROL range of ESC’s provides the reliable control system, so perhaps such a playable whistle/horn will be forthcoming sooner rather than later.
2.4 GHz DP radios will offer all sorts of easily animated feautures such as controlled uncoupling using ultra miniature servos.
I’ve been an RCS/EVO user from the get go, and after looking into the Beltrol further, and Jims great video, I believe I’ll be trying one of these pretty soon!
cale
Hi Cale.
Jim has been testing only the first stage program.
Work on the program for the second stage starts very soon. This version will have other more advanced operational features.
what I’ve seen thus far will more than exceed our needs…
a quilable whistle would be nice though 
cale
Thanks for the video , I am a very happy Spektrum radio operator with my RC planes and my rc trucks , and now I see that I can also operate my trains as well , great product .
The Spektrum radios are completely taking over the RC planes operation , and rc truck / car raceing , in this area , and the Spektrum products are available at all the hobby shops , of course with everyone going to them , it may not be in stock , all the time .
Such as at Reo Raceway , 10-12 rc trucks at a time , on the indoor , inside a metal pole barn , dirt track during a race , and people in the pit area working on their trucks / cars , perhaps fooling with their radios , Fantastic fun , with NO radio problems . Much different than the old AM /FM crystal radios and needing to impound them or freq clips , etc etc , there is a huge glut of the old used radios , but who would want them now ?
I am currently operating 10 Spektrum receivers , and useing 3 Spektrum Xmtrs , with another on the way , back order , darn it !
Way to Go Tony !
Adjust your transmitter antenna to a 45 degree angle (it clicks over 45 and 90 degrees) rather than sticking straight up out of the box. This will maximize the output signal from the transmitter on the Spektrum. Your 120’ is really only a fraction of the range on the system. We commonly have sailplanes up over 400’ and out to almost a mile away (now that’s line of sight!!).
Dave
Hi Dennis.
The Spektrum R/C’s are great.
There are other 2.4GHz stock radio systems out there as well, at much less cost. As I test each of them I will report here my results.
Please bear in mind the BELTROL program requires a 5 channel TX. The 5th channel is currently used for speed calibration and will be used in the future for speed matching locos and setting up appliable braking rates.
Cale. A quillable whistle is on the drawing boards but that is down to being developed by the sound system manufacturers.
Components of the new Beltrol system: Upgraded chip [AlphaV8] in RCS 9A-ESC. Board on top of white platform [EJS101v3] is the horn/whistle trigger. 5Channel receiver and antenna are located in roof of F3.
DX5e transmitter: Left stick controls speed in vertical line, horn/bell in horizontal line. Right stick determines forward/reverse. The horizontal line of the rigit stick is for future features.
JimC.
Tony, a respectful request, please continue to make the small hand held units that we are now using. If not, I’ll buy several now so I have them in the future. I do NOT want to lug around the monster shown above!
Paul
Hi Paul.
Thank you for supporting RCS in the past.
Whilst I am developing this system I have NOT forsaken the small RCS handhelds.
I have revamped the RCS range and from now on will only supply the long range 4 button version TX with the RCS range now using a somewhat simplified operating program.
All is not lost.
Dave Goodson has taken over production of the long range 8 button TX-24 and he and Don Sweet will still be offering them and the ELITE series ESC’s for the foreseeable future.
What?!? I thought TOC was retiring!
(Just kidding and yanking his chain!)
HJ.
I know Dave would like to consider retirement, but, being the really good hearted soul he is, he has helped me out yet again by taking over the TX-24.
Jim brought the Beltrol to the WAGRS meeting on Saturday. Everyone was impressed. One of our members races R/C cars and said it was amazingly easy to control (although he uses pistol grip controllers for his cars).
The member’s layout on which Jim ran allowed him to get over 175 ft away and still control the locomotive realiably.
Great job Tony!!
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:again?
What?!? I thought TOC was retiring!
Thank you Herb.
The next phase of the project will be started shortly.
This phase will allow speed matching of dissimilar locos so they can be MU’ed into a consist, simulated brake release and apply, settable default direction on start up and two built in sound triggers.
Once the market place has digested that little lot, there will hopefully be another surprise from RCS - BELTROL, sooner rather than later.
The surprise will be something low cost to interface with the QSI sound.
Interface with QSI–that sounds very interesting. I like QSI a lot
