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public:warwick [2019/09/21 19:49] – [2019 Meetings] MikePpublic:warwick [2020/03/15 20:33] – [2020 Meetings] MikeP
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 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. 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 (Dover) 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. +**<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. 
  
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-<color #ed1c24>**The final 2019 meeting will be held on November 30th **</color>+<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 ==== 
 + 
 +At the end of 2019, the WNO members were asked to complete a survey which measured their satisfaction, asked for suggestions for improvement and collected a list of suggested subjects for inclusion in the 2020 meet schedule. This year, the theme for each meeting will be driven by items from the list. Also, the afternoon workshops will be more focussed to solve member’s problems and to give individual members the opportunity to show projects on which they are working. 
 + 
 +<color #ed1c24>**JANUARY 26th 2020**</color> 
 + 
 +Responding to the members’ top request, <color #00a2e8>**Simon West**</color> presented and demonstrated how to build non-kit CANMIO modules. Starting with the CANMIO-SVO as the start point, he explained the extra components required and also those components which are not required to build a CANMIO-OUT.  
 +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 #00a2e8>**John Gowers**</color> provided two useful feedback sessions: a reflection on the AGM and feedback from the experience of taking the LWMRS 0 Gauge exhibition layout with its CBUS and MERG DCC installations to the Warley show at the NEC. 
 +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 #ed1c24>**March 28th 2020**</color> 
 + 
 +This meeting was postponed due to the Covid-19 virus restrictions. 
 + 
 +Further Meetings are planned for the following dates but will be determined by Government restrictions in place at the time of the meeting: 
 + 
 +  * 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)
  
  
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 ==== Exhibitions ==== ==== Exhibitions ====
 **Leamington & Warwick Model Railway Society Show**\\ **Leamington & Warwick Model Railway Society Show**\\
-Saturday 6th March and Sunday 7th March 2020\\+Saturday 6th March and Sunday 7th March 2021\\
  
 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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