public:warwick
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public:warwick [2019/01/28 08:43] – [2019 Meetings] MikeP | public:warwick [2020/06/15 13:31] – MikeCollins | ||
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**MERG members** may contact Mike Plowman direct via his [[https:// | **MERG members** may contact Mike Plowman direct via his [[https:// | ||
This Group' | This Group' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Exhibitions ==== | ||
+ | **Leamington & Warwick Model Railway Society Show**\\ | ||
+ | Saturday 6th March and Sunday 7th March 2021\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Due to the COVID-19 situation the viability of running an exhibition in 2021 is currently under review.\\ | ||
+ | Latest News at – www.lwmrs.co.uk\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Contact Exhibition Manager\\ | ||
+ | Email – exhibition@lwmrs.co.uk | ||
+ | |||
==== 2016 Meetings ==== | ==== 2016 Meetings ==== | ||
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**MERG@50, | **MERG@50, | ||
The final act of the WNO Area Group Meeting was the cutting of the Anniversary cake. It seemed such a shame to cut the MERG Logo’d cake but Bob Vetterlein, accompanied by the other Committee members, wielded the cake slice with aplomb and the cake was enjoyed by all.\\ | The final act of the WNO Area Group Meeting was the cutting of the Anniversary cake. It seemed such a shame to cut the MERG Logo’d cake but Bob Vetterlein, accompanied by the other Committee members, wielded the cake slice with aplomb and the cake was enjoyed by all.\\ | ||
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**<color # | **<color # | ||
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The afternoon workshops covered hands on sessions of soldering and configuring CBUS using FCU. Many members carried on discussions from our previous meeting around Duxbury - the 00 Gauge exhibition layout which utilises CBUS. | The afternoon workshops covered hands on sessions of soldering and configuring CBUS using FCU. Many members carried on discussions from our previous meeting around Duxbury - the 00 Gauge exhibition layout which utilises CBUS. | ||
+ | |||
==== 2019 Meetings ==== | ==== 2019 Meetings ==== | ||
- | **Jan 26th** Meeting\\ | ||
- | **<color #00a2e8>JANUARY 26th 2019</ | + | |
+ | <color #ed1c24>**JANUARY 26th 2019**</ | ||
On the third anniversary of the formation of the WNO Group, forty members attended the meeting at the Leamington and Warwick MRS. | On the third anniversary of the formation of the WNO Group, forty members attended the meeting at the Leamington and Warwick MRS. | ||
- | <color # | + | **<color # |
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | For the benefit of some newer members, Peter gave a short overview of principles of CBUS. However, the core of the presentation covered everything from the Classic CBUS modules through Second Generation to a more detailed description of the CANMIO series and all its derivatives including the daughter boards. Pete used the Kit Locker to show the modules and the power of the " | ||
+ | He also showed how to find what has been developed by using the software wiki - here is where CBUS modules and daughter board that are not available as kits may be found. This stimulated a highly interactive session with many questions. This presentation was well received by the members with many saying that their plans for a CBUS implementation had been reinvigorated. | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
In the afternoon, three of the LWMRS club's exhibition layouts were running: Duxbury 00 gauge finescale DC / CBUS; Kimble 0 gauge DCC / CBUS and Kineton n gauge finescale DCC / CBUS enabling members to see practical implementations of MERG technology. In addition John Gowers' | In the afternoon, three of the LWMRS club's exhibition layouts were running: Duxbury 00 gauge finescale DC / CBUS; Kimble 0 gauge DCC / CBUS and Kineton n gauge finescale DCC / CBUS enabling members to see practical implementations of MERG technology. In addition John Gowers' | ||
Having started at 9:30 with bacon rolls and the consumption of many cakes throughout the day, the meeting finally closed at 17:00. | Having started at 9:30 with bacon rolls and the consumption of many cakes throughout the day, the meeting finally closed at 17:00. | ||
- | The next meeting is scheduled | + | <color # |
+ | |||
+ | Almost forty members came along to the second meeting of year at the Leamington and Warwick MRS club rooms. Our signature bacon rolls were prepared on arrival as usual by MERG and LWMRS members Mike Collins and Mark Reader. | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | This allows members to have an informal get-together before we settle down for the morning’s proceedings. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Mike Plowman** welcomed the members and introduced the theme for the 2019 – **<color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | This meeting | ||
+ | |||
+ | Jeremy, with his twenty years’ experience of CAN, was able to show the structure of the “messages” and the way they are prioritised on the bus. He estimated that on a typical CAN bus, where messages from sensors and actuators are passing every few microseconds in both directions, that the bus is about 80% utilised compared to a CBUS which is probably about 2% where messages pass every few seconds. | ||
+ | |||
+ | After a coffee and cakes break, **<color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | Many members were able to avail themselves of the extensive kit locker which is now being managed by **<color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | In the afternoon, members were able to mingle informally to ask specific questions of the specialists and to have techniques demonstrated. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | <color #ed1c24>**MAY 11th 2019**</ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Another well attended meeting of the WNO are group took place at the Leamington and Warwick Model Railway Society clubrooms on May 11th. | ||
+ | The members are encouraged to gather at 9:30 to allow time for our signature bacon rolls, a drink and an informal chat before the meeting gets underway. | ||
+ | With both our regular cooks away, we needed to make some adjustments to our front of house team. | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | **<color # | ||
+ | Since it’s inception, we have encouraged an informal and non-judgemental approach to the proceedings allowing (and indeed encouraging) members to ask any questions that occur to them. There is always an amount of banter between the members as characterised here by the laughter than can be seen in this photograph. | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | **<color # | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | Using a multimedia presentation, | ||
+ | He explained why a test bed is a good place to start out in CBUS. The benefits of building the individual modules, configuring them and making them “do things”. | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | He selected a set of modules for his demonstrator: | ||
+ | A USB4 for interface to a computer – he recommended that FCU be the only way considered to configure CBUS modules; a CANPAN as a “Producer” and two “Consumers” – A CANSERVO8c and a CANMIO – OUT. | ||
+ | He explained the function of each of the modules and the reasons for selection. | ||
+ | He then introduced FCU and showed how it could be used to configure each of the modules, adding events and making things happen – servos moving, LED’s illuminating driven by feedback. | ||
+ | This was a highly interactive session with many questions posed and answered. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | In the afternoon, David Roberts presented “Power Supplies & Wiring for CBUS”. Besides giving a comprehensive description of the types of power supplies available, he emphasised the safety aspects of choosing a power supply and also the appropriate wire sizes for the power and CBUS installation. | ||
+ | Again, many questions and a lively discussion. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | <color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | The WNO MERG Area Group continues to attract in excess of 30 members to the bi-monthly day long meetings at the Leamington and Warwick Model Railway Society Clubrooms. On July 27th, 35 members were joined by **<color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | As usual, members arrived at 9:30 to allow time for the group' | ||
+ | |||
+ | **<color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | **<color # | ||
+ | He followed on with a short presentation on **<color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | As the planned second presentation presenter was unfortunately indisposed, | ||
+ | |||
+ | An important part of the WNO Group activities are the informal, free format workshop activities in the afternoon. Members are able to ask questions, seek advice, see demonstrations and show technology or solution that they are developing. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Here **<color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | The soldering advice and hands-on sessions delivered by**< | ||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | Small groups of members often form around new demonstrations. | ||
+ | Here, **<color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
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+ | <color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | Another strong attendance at this meeting, the fifth in the yearlong series, **“CBUS from Soup to Nuts”**, heard about **three different approaches to control panels**. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **<color #00a2e8> Mike Plowman </ | ||
+ | |||
+ | **<color #00a2e8> Simon West </ | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | Finally, **<color #00a2e8> John Gowers </ | ||
+ | |||
+ | The main event in the afternoon workshops was the demonstration by Simon West and then a hands-on session for members of writing firmware using the PICKit 3. Simon recommended the use of the ZIF socket method to write the firmware and using this, Simon was able to show how easy and straight forward the process is using the correct tools. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **<color #00a2e8> Mike Collins </ | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
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+ | <color # | ||
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+ | The largest attendance of the year for the final meeting of our CBUS from Soup to Nuts Series - 41 members squeezed into the LWMRS clubroom’s library. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Many members had recently attended the Gaydon show (where Duxbury had featured) or Warley (where Kimble had won two awards) and used the informal get together at the start of the meeting to gather more information about the CBUS implementations on these layouts. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The theme of this meeting was “Making Detection Useful”. That is, how to use information collected from movements on the track to either control, display or identify the stock. Three different approaches were presented. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Bob Mercer, was unable to attend the meeting but he had prepared a video to show how he had used MERG Hectors at strategic positions in a small inglenook layout to detect not only the end positions of sidings but also to ensure that locos cannot run into incorrectly set points. The layout uses a combination of MERG CBUS modules and MERG DCC with a CBUS connected Arduino to provide automation and sound effects. | ||
+ | This layout had recently attracted much interest at the Gaydon and Warley shows and was available in the afternoon for members to try. | ||
+ | |||
+ | David Thomas discussed his latest adventures with RFID. He showed how the RFID coils could be removed from low cost key fobs. These coils could be carefully reshaped to even fit inside an N Gauge vehicle. David has spent a significant amount of time researching RFID components to limit the cost of implementing the technology. He was able to demonstrate detection of individual locos which could then be linked to announcement systems both visual and sound. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Finally, Tony Chamberlain expanded on his MERG Journal article (2019 – 2 – p13) – A Magnetic Identity. He showed how with a series of up to six “nano” magnets, 72 separate vehicles could be uniquely identified. Also, as the identity is unique, the direction of travel can be identified. Tony had used a Hall sensor attached to an Arduino to prove his concept using an N gauge locomotive. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The presentations for this meeting and all previous meetings dating back to May 2017 can be found on the MERG Wiki. | ||
+ | ==== 2020 Meetings ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | At the end of 2019, the WNO members were asked to complete a survey which measured their satisfaction, | ||
+ | |||
+ | <color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | Responding to the members’ top request, <color # | ||
+ | Simon recommended this 2nd generation module as it is the easiest option to implement rather than the CANVOUT which will be shipped with Universal firmware. CANMIO – OUT provides 8 output AND 8 logic level inputs. | ||
+ | Having explained the function of Firmware, Simon showed how to change the firmware using FCU and explained the importance of selecting the correct firmware from the MERG Wiki based upon the resonator / chip type combination. | ||
+ | |||
+ | <color # | ||
+ | At this meeting, the workshops were particularly active with many members showing progress with personal projects and various kits being inspected, tested and made to work. | ||
+ | |||
+ | <color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | This meeting was postponed due to the Covid-19 virus restrictions but replaced by a series of Virtual meetings using the Zoom application. | ||
+ | |||
+ | <color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | <color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Three meetings were held in April**. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The first was a "set up" meeting, on **April 15th**, to ensure that all the members could logon and access the virtual space which most were able to accomplish, with about 30 members attending. **Alan Geekie** was invited to provide a "View from the Top of Merg" and was able to answer members questions. This meeting also enabled **Mike Collins** who is the Area Group moderator for the Zoom meetings to refine the registration process for members. This process is now in use and ensures the security and integrity of the meeting and its attendees. It allows members to register for a series of meetings then receive a confirmation email with an embedded link for use on the meeting day. Registered members also receive a reminder on the afternoon of the meeting. | ||
+ | |||
+ | On **April 22nd**, 40 members attended to hear **Mike Plowman** give an " | ||
+ | |||
+ | On **April 29th**, 44 members came along to hear **David Roberts** and **Jeremy Mole** give advice about selecting and installing DCC Decoders. | ||
+ | |||
+ | After three meetings, a " | ||
+ | |||
+ | <color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Meeting 1**: Wednesday, May 13th at 7pm: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Members' | ||
+ | |||
+ | An Arduino driven traverser - Keith Newton | ||
+ | |||
+ | Arduino DCC++ - Alan Ferriday | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **Meeting 2**: Wednesday May 20th at 7pm. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Aligning DCC decoder sounds with the real world of driving an engine. - John Gowers | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Meeting 3**: Wednesday May 27th at 7pm. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Members' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Progress with CANCOMPUTE - John Fletcher | ||
+ | |||
+ | Configuring DCC Decoders - David Roberts | ||
+ | |||
+ | All meetings in normal times are held at the club rooms of the <color # | ||
+ | |||
+ | To attend a Virtual Warwickshire, | ||
- | More details | + | More details |
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==== Exhibitions ==== | ==== Exhibitions ==== | ||
**Leamington & Warwick Model Railway Society Show**\\ | **Leamington & Warwick Model Railway Society Show**\\ | ||
- | Saturday | + | Saturday |
- | Leamington Spa College, Warwick New Road, Leamington Spa, CV32 5JE.\\ | + | Due to the COVID-19 situation the viability of running an exhibition in 2021 is currently under review.\\ |
- | Opening Times – Saturday 10am – 5pm – Sunday 10am – 4pm.\\ | + | |
Latest News at – www.lwmrs.co.uk\\ | Latest News at – www.lwmrs.co.uk\\ | ||
public/warwick.txt · Last modified: 2023/09/05 15:40 by simonwest