DCC for clubs

Below is an outline of suggested ways to use DCC in a club environment. Of course, there are many ways to reach the same goal, and as such, multiple ways may be suggested. It's up the the individual club to select a standard.
==Basic DCC Topics==
===Addressing===
In a club environment, you need to keep locomotive addresses organized. Here are a few methods for doing so.
====Assigning====
=====Assign by thousands/hundreds=====
A member can be assigned a 2 digit number for the thousands and hundreds for each member, and use the last two digits of the engine. This way, you can assign address range 20 to a single member, and they would be able to use address ranges such as 2000 to 2099.
For small clubs, you can assign a couple address ranges to a single member, such as 20 & 21. This would allow them address ranges from 2000 to 2199. For larger clubs, you could assign down to the tens place.
=====WhiteBoard=====
Simply install a white board somewhere that can be easily seen by an operator just arriving with their locomotive. As members arrive with their loco's, they simply write the DCC ID of the loco on the white board. First come, first used. Duplicate numbers can be easily changed onsite with a quick program change to the CVs of the decoder will get club members online in no time.
Don't forget, members will need to erease their DCC ID when finished operating. Some members may want to restore their DCC ID before leaving so they can operate at home before they forget that the DCC ID has been changed.
====Tracking====
After addresses are assigned, of course they will need to be tracked. There will be times when there are duplicate road numbers and the above methods may not work. Or the club size is so large, that cannot simply assign a block of addresses to a single member.
=====DCCWiki Method=====
The DCCWiki method allows all memebers to view and update the addresses of locomotives without worrying about maintaining multiple copies. No longer does a club need to worry about keeping copies in sync or wait for a single person to update the excel file.
To use, simple use the DCCWiki tracking template, create your own template based off it, or use your own custom tables.
DCCWiki Tracking templete instructions.
There are two main components to creating a DCCWiki decoder address tracking page. First, is the header - this sets up the table with the proper headings. The suggested minimum headings is "DCC ID", "Road #", "Owner". If you do not want to publish the owners name, you are welcome to use the club memeber's ID assigned to this person, or some other identification system. We don't need to know what it is, only the club and it's memebers need it.
To get the table started, simply copy/page this to a DCCWiki page:
{| border=1 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1
! style="background:#e3ffcd;" | DCC ID
! style="background:#e3ffcd;" | Road #
! style="background:#e3ffcd;" | Owner ID/Name
|-
Don't worry if you don't understand what the syntax. Just realize the title headers at the end of each row, and that you can add/remove columns as desired.
Now, to add data, simply use the DCCWiki template to generate the proper HTML. For each record, simple add this directly below the above section with no empty lines (besure to change the number to the number of fields you are using):
{{LocoTracking-3
| 1 = 2001
| 2 = 7301
| 3 = George}}
At the end of the table, be sure to include the following to close the table:
|}
Adding fields later is easy. Simply, start adding whatever fields you want to display. Lets assume we have been only using 3 fields as described above. If we want to start tracking additional fields, simply add the field name to the header section, and change the number after the LocoTracking- to the proper number. No need to worry if you don't have all the data yet, the template will simply put in "Not Avail" in place. Simple leave the number of the field out. Notice below that "2 = 7301" has been removed.
As a side note, you can start populating your data before displaying the addiontal fields. For instance:
{{LocoTracking-3
| 1 = 2001
| 2 = 7301
| 3 = George
| 4 = Aristo SD45
| 5 = 5 Amps}}
Will still only display the first 3 fields. See Club:DCCWiki Test Club for an example of how to use this template.
Advantages:
* Multiple users
** Does not rely on a single person to update list = faster updates
* Web based means data is available anywhere
Disadvantages:
* Need internet access to update
** Can be overcome by updating at friends house. List can also be printed and distributed to those memeber without internet.
=====Spreadsheet/Database=====
The spreadsheet method contains a few columns within a spreadsheet. An example list of columns would be:
DCC Address, Road Number, Owner, AMPs
To help prevent duplicates or out of synced versions, a simple computer, or single person needs to be responsible for keeping the spreadsheet up to date. The spreadsheet could be distributed via email, paper form, or published to a web site that club members could print out. Also, all address changes will neeed to be made through this person.
Advantages:
* Simple
* No internet connection needed
Disadvantages:
* Everyone must have the spreadsheet/database program or compatible software.
* Must distribute either electronic or printed versions to members
* Single person must keep file updated
** Can lead to problems with being out of date is person is on vacation or leaves club for extended periods.
** All address changes must be routed through single person.
==See also==
# Clubs - Clubs page.
Category:Clubs