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public:warwick [2019/01/30 17:22] – [2018 Meetings] MikePpublic:warwick [2019/12/28 19:21] – [2020 Meetings] MikeP
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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.\\
-{{:public:fullsizerender.jpg?200|}} +{{ :public:fullsizerender.jpg?400 |}} 
-{{:public:merg-09248.jpg?300|}}+{{ :public:merg-09248.jpg?400 |}} 
  
 **<color #00a2e8>MAY MEETING - MAY 6th 2017</color>**\\ **<color #00a2e8>MAY MEETING - MAY 6th 2017</color>**\\
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 ==== 2019 Meetings ==== ==== 2019 Meetings ====
-**Jan 26th** Meeting\\ 
  
-**<color #00a2e8>JANUARY 26th 2019</color>**+ 
 +<color #ed1c24>**JANUARY 26th 2019**</color>
  
 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 #00a2e8>PETER BROWNLOW</color>**  presented <color #00a2e8>**"An Update on CBUS"**</color>  and it was fitting on this anniversary as Peter had given the opening presentation at the inaugural meeting.** +**<color #00a2e8>PETER BROWNLOW</color>**  presented <color #00a2e8>**"An Update on CBUS"**</color>  and it was fitting on this anniversary as Peter had given the opening presentation at the inaugural meeting. 
 {{ :public:wnoag_jan_2019-01520.jpg?400 |}} {{ :public:wnoag_jan_2019-01520.jpg?400 |}}
-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 "i" (information) and "TB" (Technical Bulletin) buttons on each of the kits to gather more information. 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.+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 "i" (information) and "TB" (Technical Bulletin) buttons on each of the kits to gather more information.  
 +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.
 {{ :public:wnoag_jan_2019-01528.jpg?400 |}} {{ :public:wnoag_jan_2019-01528.jpg?400 |}}
 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' soldering workshop was busy demonstrating and answering questions.  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' soldering workshop was busy demonstrating and answering questions. 
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 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 for **<color #ed1c24>March 30th 2019</color>** when the **<color #ed1c24>CBUS from Soup to Nuts</color>** programme will commence+<color #ed1c24>**MARCH 30th 2019**</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. 
 +{{ :public:wnoag_mar_2019_-_1.jpg?400 |}} 
 + 
 +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 #ed1c24>“CBUS from Soup to Nuts”</color>**. This is a year long programme to increase the understanding of the many aspects of CBUS from basic concepts through to planning, selecting, building and configuring modules through to building controls panels and putting detection to work on the layout. The outline agendas for the next four meetings was shown and received enthusiastic approval from the members. 
 + 
 +This meeting concentrated on a recap of the CBUS. Mike described the basic principles of the CBUS system – the need for the twisted pair, continuity of the bus and the termination resistors. He showed the concept of the producer / consumer model and how events can produce actions on specific modules attached to the CBUS.  The benefits of the four-wire bus were explained and set the scene for **<color #00a2e8>Jeremy Mole</color>** to explain the differences between a CAN implementation in the automotive sector and the CBUS implementation of CAN. 
 + 
 +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 #00a2e8>Simon West</color>**, the WNO Group lead for CANMIO reinforced the producer / consumer model with an explanation of where each of the CBUS modules actually fit. Both the original CBUS modules, the second generation and those shown on the software WIKI which provide additional or different function were covered. Many questions were posed and answered allowing many members to get a clearer picture of where they should start. 
 + 
 +Many members were able to avail themselves of the extensive kit locker which is now being managed by **<color #00a2e8>John Gowers</color>** on behalf of the WNO and East Midlands Groups. 
 + 
 +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**</color> 
 + 
 +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. 
 + {{ :public:wnoag_may_2019_-_a.jpg?400 |}} 
 +**<color #00a2e8>Jeremy Mole</color>**, our CANBUS technical guru, stepped in to cook bacon and brew endless amounts of tea and coffee and <color #00a2e8>**Bob Mercer**</color>, our JMRI enthusiast returned to collect the members contributions. 
 +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. 
 +{{ :public:wnoag_may_2019-01.jpg?400 |}} 
 +**<color #00a2e8>Simon West</color>**, the WNO Group CANMIO technical lead, provided the main presentation of the day: **<color #ed1c24>Creating a CBUS Testbed and using FCU</color>**. 
 +{{ :public:wnoag_may_2019-02.jpg?200 |}} 
 + 
 +Using a multimedia presentation, Simon with his camera operator, **<color #00a2e8>Jon Denham</color>** described how to build and configure a useful test bed for CBUS modules. 
 +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”.  
 +{{ :public:wnoag_may_2019-03.jpg?400 |}} 
 + 
 +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. 
 + 
 +{{ :public:wnoag_may_2019-05.jpg?400 |}} 
 + 
 +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 #ed1c24>**JULY 27th 2019**</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 #00a2e8>Bob Vetterlein</color>**, the MERG Committee Area Groups Co-ordinator. 
 + 
 +As usual, members arrived at 9:30 to allow time for the group's signature bacon rolls, a drink and an informal chat before the meeting gets underway. With both our regular cooks still unavailable, **<color #00a2e8>Jeremy Mole</color>** stepped in to provide day long catering leaving **<color #00a2e8>Bob Mercer</color>** to handle meet and greet and the front of house activities. 
 + 
 +**<color #00a2e8>Mike Plowman</color>** welcomed the members by introducing the fourth session of the year long **<color #00a2e8>CBUS from Soup to Nuts</color>** programme and reminded members of the next meeting dates. He also emphasised the importance of updating their personal membership data to ensure that, as the MERG email system is rolled out, they will continue to receive area group emails.  
 + 
 +**<color #00a2e8>Simon West</color>** presented on the subject of **<color #00a2e8>Developing Requirements</color>**. This was a wide ranging subject, offering the members advice about how to plan a model railway effectively taking into account personal objectives, budget, modelling capabilities, interests, portability and many other subjects. This stimulated many questions and many suggestions leading to a highly interactive session.  
 +He followed on with a short presentation on **<color #00a2e8>Sourcing Components for Non-Kit Modules</color>** that is where PCB's are available either in the kit locker or direct from another MERG member (often where the module is listed on the Software Wiki). Again a highly interactive session.  
 + 
 +As the planned second presentation presenter was unfortunately indisposed,**<color #00a2e8>Mike Plowman</color>** gave members an update on the LWMRS n-gauge exhibition layout **<color #00a2e8>Kineton MERG CBUS / DCC implementation</color>.** 
 + 
 +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. 
 + 
 +{{:public:wno_2019_july_1_roger_edwards.jpg?400|}} 
 + 
 +Here **<color #ed1c24>Roger Edwards</color>**, the MERG Journal Publishing Manager, in questioning mode looking at Bob Mercer's inglenook demonstrator, Hutchinson's End. This demonstrator uses a combination of CBUS technology with Hector detectors and an Arduino to investigate different control methods. 
 + 
 +{{:public:wno_2019_july_2_john_gowers.jpg?400|}} 
 + 
 +The soldering advice and hands-on sessions delivered by**<color #ed1c24>John Gowers</color>** are always in demand. John always encourages members to "have a go" especially with SMD components. John also provides the Area Group Kit locker for the members during the lunch break. 
 +{{:public:wno_2019_july_3_simon.jpg?400|}} 
 +{{ :public:wno_2019_july_4_simon.jpg?400|}} 
 + 
 +Small groups of members often form around new demonstrations.  
 +Here, **<color #00a2e8>Simon West</color>** is seen leading the discussion around technology which will be implemented shortly on the LWMRS Duxbury 00 gauge layout. 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +<color #ed1c24>**SEPTEMBER 21st 2019**</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>** kicked off with a simple panel using Veroboard to eliminate individual wires to the LED’s and switches. Mike explained the use of Microsoft Word ® to create the track plan on a one tenth grid to match the hole pattern of the Veroboard. Although the example was a small panel, the same technique had been used on the large control panel of Kineton, the LWMRS N gauge exhibition layout. 
 + 
 +**<color #00a2e8> Simon West </color>** showed how the two control panels on the LWMRS 00-gauge layout, Duxbury, had been developed. The main panel, which is four feet across, allows two operators to simultaneously change points or set routes. This led Simon to explain the importance of diodes in the push button matrix circuit. He showed how matrices of the CANPAN, CANLED64 and CANACE3 are structured and how back of panel wiring is simplified. 
 + 
 +{{:public:1_group_view.jpg?400 |}} 
 +Finally, **<color #00a2e8> John Gowers </color>** showed how he developed panels for his garden railway from early plywood prototypes through to custom PCB designed using Eagle ®. John discussed the changes which have been implemented in the manner of control of the LWMRS 0-gauge exhibition layout Kimble. The six operators use MERG CABs to control the locos and with the need to drive to the signals, the operators need to have accurate indication of loco position when approaching a signal provided on a small indication panel next to the operator position. He also discussed plans for future developments. 
 + 
 +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 </color>**  brought part of his home layout for advice regarding the implementation of CANMIO Universal firmware to operate a mixture of servos and relays. An interesting discussion involving several members enabled Mike to make significant progress.  
 + 
 +{{:public:img_0343.jpg?400 |}} 
 +{{ :public:img_0345.jpg?400 |}} 
 +{{ :public:img_0347.jpg?400 |}} 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +<color #ed1c24>**November 30th **</color> 
 + 
 +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 ==== 
 +Meetings are planned for the following dates: 
 + 
 +  * January 25th 
 +  * March 28th 
 +  * May 23rd 
 +  * July 25th 
 +  * September 26th 
 +  * November 21st 
 + 
 +All meetings are held at the club rooms of the <color #00a2e8>**Leamington and Warwick Model Railway Society**</color> (www.LWMRS.co.uk) 
  
-More details will be published soon.+More details are available on the Warwickshire, North Oxfordshire Area Group's Page of the Forum.
  
  
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 ==== Exhibitions ==== ==== Exhibitions ====
 **Leamington & Warwick Model Railway Society Show**\\ **Leamington & Warwick Model Railway Society Show**\\
-Saturday 2nd March and Sunday 3rd March 2019\\+Saturday 6th March and Sunday 7th March 2020\\
  
 Leamington Spa College, Warwick New Road, Leamington Spa, CV32 5JE.\\ Leamington Spa College, Warwick New Road, Leamington Spa, CV32 5JE.\\
public/warwick.txt · Last modified: 2023/09/05 15:40 by simonwest

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