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User Guide

More advanced information

DecoderPro Rosters

Reading the contents of a decoder generally takes a long time, and with some command stations it's not even possible. The JMRI Roster stores the known values of decoder configuration values to make it unnecessary to read them from the decoder. It can contain "roster entries" for an unlimited number of individual locomotives.

Each roster entry has an "identifier" (ID) by which it's known. When the program wants you to select a roster entry, it will show a selection box or menu containing all of the roster entry IDs. You can use anything you want for this: Road number, type, even "That crummy old model I need to repaint".

You can edit the contents of a roster entry with the DecoderPro programmer panes.

Roster Entry

When you first open a DecoderPro programmer, you'll see a "Roster Entry" pane. On it is displayed:

ID
The ID for this entry. You can change it if you want, in which case it will appear in selection boxes, etc, with the new ID name.
Road Name
Road Number
Manufacturer
Model
Owner
Use these for whatever you want.
DCC Address
This is filled in based on how the decoder is configured. You can't edit it here, so you have to go to another pane to change the addressing.
Comment
Use this for whatever you want.
Decoder Family
Decoder Model
These are filled in based on the decoder that was selected when the entry was created. It can't be editted after that.
Decoder Comment
You can put anything you want here. Some people have used it to record whether a NMRA plug was used, whether the decoder was soldered in, etc.
Filename
This is here for information; you can't change it, and you don't have to worry about it. Note that even if you change the ID for this entry, the original file will still be used.

Roster Menu

Both the main DecoderPro window and the "start programmer" window has a "Roster" menu available. That menu allows you to manage the entries in your roster with commands:

Copy ...
"Copy" is used to create another roster entry that's identical to the original except for it's ID. If you have a standard setup you'd like to use for new locomotives, you can create a roster entry with all the right values filled in, and then copy it every time you want to program a new locomotive.
Export ...
Although it is possible to find the XML files defining roster entries in the preferences directory, it's better not to mess with them directly. The "Export" command will create a new file representing a roster entry, including all of the comments, CV values, etc. You can then take that to another copy of DecoderPro and import it into that roster. Export does not change your current roster in any way, it just makes a copy for you of a specific entry.
When you select "Export ...", you be asked to select the roster entry you want to export, then you'll be prompted to select a new filename. You can call it anything you want, but it's best to put a ".xml" extension on the name.
Import ...

The combination of "Export" then "Import" allows you to bring a locomotives roster entry when you move to another layout, with it's own DecoderPro installation.

When you select "Import ...", you'll be asked to locate an XML file to import. It should have been created by an "Export" command. You'll also be asked for the ID of the new roster entry to be created. This can be the same as it was before it was exported, or you can give it a new ID.

Delete ...
This completely removes a roster entry. You're asked if you're sure and a backup is made, in case of mistakes.