Remote Signalling

[Malcolm FreestoneParticipant @malcolmfreestone14936]

At a recent club discussion on additions to the signalling system, various methods of control were mentioned. All of the ideas involved a considerable amount of cables and trunking that amounted to nearly three-quarters of the total cost of the installation.

One method that was not discussed – it was in fact an afterthought – was the idea of remote operation by radio control. It would seem that RC could have a number of advantages, although overall cost may not be significantly different. Signal heads, regardless of type, could be self-contained and removable, thus minimising the risk of vandalism or attack by vermin etc, plus of course much reduced exposure to weather. Being self-contained only small rechargeable batteries would be required as power supply.

My query is; has anyone used or experimented with, or even thought about such a method of control? Food for thought, anyone?

[Malcolm FreestoneParticipant @malcolmfreestone14936]

[Stuart BridgerParticipant @stuartbridger82290]

433MHz radio would seem to be the answer to this. The TX and RX modules are readily available at low cost and typically have a range of about 300m. I know nothing about railway signaling but use these modules (built into a solution from a commercial vendor) for remote control of clay pigeon traps. The cable free solution is a real boon to having to run 100's of metres of cable across muddy fields. It would need someone with good electronics skills to convert the raw modules into a solution though.

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