diff --git a/library.properties b/library.properties
index 36f9eee..4a118c0 100644
--- a/library.properties
+++ b/library.properties
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 name=DCCEXProtocol
-version=0.0.15
+version=0.0.16
 author=Peter Cole, Peter Akers <akersp62@gmail.com>
 maintainer=Peter Cole, Peter Akers <akersp62@gmail.com>
 sentence=DCC-EX Native Protocol implementation
diff --git a/src/DCCEXProtocol.cpp b/src/DCCEXProtocol.cpp
index ff63025..48cec3b 100644
--- a/src/DCCEXProtocol.cpp
+++ b/src/DCCEXProtocol.cpp
@@ -117,6 +117,11 @@ void DCCEXProtocol::check() {
   }
 }
 
+void DCCEXProtocol::sendCommand(char *cmd) {
+  sprintf(_outboundCommand, "<%s>", cmd);
+  _sendCommand();
+}
+
 // sequentially request and get the required lists. To avoid overloading the buffer
 void DCCEXProtocol::getLists(bool rosterRequired, bool turnoutListRequired, bool routeListRequired,
                              bool turntableListRequired) {
diff --git a/src/DCCEXProtocol.h b/src/DCCEXProtocol.h
index 3187783..a364c3a 100644
--- a/src/DCCEXProtocol.h
+++ b/src/DCCEXProtocol.h
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
 /*
 Version information:
 
+0.0.16  - add public sendCommand method
 0.0.15  - any acquired loco is now retained in the roster
 0.0.14  - add getNumberSupportedLocos()   used for the fake heartbeat
 0.0.13  - Fix bug to allow compilation on AVR platforms, change ssize_t to int
@@ -220,6 +221,10 @@ class DCCEXProtocol {
   /// @brief Check for incoming DCC-EX broadcasts/responses and parse them
   void check();
 
+  /// @brief allows sending of an arbitray command
+  /// @param cmd Command to send
+  void sendCommand(char *cmd);
+
   /// @brief Request DCC-EX object lists (Roster, Turnouts, Routes, Turntables)
   /// @param rosterRequired Request the roster list (true|false)
   /// @param turnoutListRequired Request the turnout list (true|false)