I’m wondering what era’s/years Sinclair, Can, and PCTEL antennas were used in. JnJ Trains makes the first two in N scale, the last would be very easy to scratch build.
From my observation:
Wagon wheel antennas were starting to be seen in the late 40’s/early 50’s(early dieselization)
Firecracker & whip antennas were seen starting in the 60’s
Sinclair & can antennas started showing up in the 70’s
The PCTEL/Dome antennas started showing up in the mid 90’s and are current today.
Jim
Is there a visual difference between the Firecracker and PCTEL antennas? I was under the impression they were the same thing.
Just remember that the “dome” is NOT an antenna. It is an enclosure for the antennas. There may be 4-6-8-10 antennas under the dome, one for each system that communicates with anything outside of the locomotive.
PCTEL is a company that makes all kinds of antenna products. I think they were MAXRAD antenna at one time. As mentioned, the ‘dome’ is a cover and many types of antenna may be under it. I have not seen new ‘firecracker’ installations for some time. I have seen a lot of Sinclair or ‘Skate’ antenna installations.
Jim
Thanks all. It seems all but the Wagon wheel antenna are out of my modeling era idea’s. I was thinking 50’s early 60’s. Either the Kirkland & Dekalb layout sporting Milwaukee or a mix of Milwaukee and my own RR. I haven’t noticed the wagon wheel antenna in N scale, but that’s okay, I’ve seen a picture or two of it and don’t like the looks of it.
Hi Jim, Nice to have an opportunity to talk with you.
Say, I have a question for you on this, & yes, it’s probably is the exception.
I have been watching IC&E/DM&E for a while (pre-CP absorbtion) & all their models of SD40-2’s seem to have Motorola FireCrackers (yes, I speant buku coin on DA & DW versions for my future fleet) placed on-over the engineer forward cab. This timeline post interests me cuz I have a knack for busting the FC’s off & the Sinclairs look nicer & fill the roof, but I have to follow & model the PT… Anyway, I believe all the fleet is is minted out at “Mid America Car” in KC, MO. And I believe (if the dates on the internet are correct) up to ‘05+ ? Also, I see & began to notice some that look like a firecracker broken off, like a lil’ stubby. Is that the new thing?
Yeah, I know about ‘grandfather’ & ‘old stock’ & now wonder why they would stick with that? Here are a few links to a site & a couple pictures you can look at, & please help me understand…
Short Stubby: http://www.illinirail.com/icerail/roster/ice6217.htm
ICE Std FireCracker: http://www.illinirail.com/icerail/roster/ice6407.htm
General Site I’m looking at: http://www.illinirail.com/icerail/detailedroster.htm
PS: I sometimes go to Rochester & perhaps we could cross paths sometime. I coudn’t find any really good (RR) LHS up there, but I remember ‘Moon’s’ in the MM as a kid…
Thanks
I have seen pictures of CPR passenger diesels with the normal Canadian antenna (which I think is the Sinclair type) at least back to early 1965. Since CPR was at times notoriously conservative, I presume that type of antenna must have been used in the industry elsewhere. It was quite a few years later before CPR equipped all their diesels
John
Chad,
DM&E/IC&E seem to use what-ever is on the locomotive when they pick them up. I suppose at some point CP will standardize their fleet. When the band/channel gets narrowed in the future, I suspect many of the railroads will go to an all digital/secure radio system with the antenna’s under that large white dome.
Moons was broke up in the mid 90’s - the Hobby Shop side became Hendy’s Hobbies. About 5-6 years ago, Rick Henderson died, and the hobby shop was closed. A real loss for us in Rochester. There is an ‘Everything Hobbies’ in Northgate Center, but it is mainly RC airplanes/copters/cars. They will order anything from Walthers or Horizon, and his prices are good. The closest other hobby shop is the ACE Hardware in Winona - they have a good stock of HO stuff, including scratch-building supplies. A 45 minute drive, but closer that the 1.5 hour drive to the Twin Cities.
Jim
Hey Jim,
Yes, after I posted +an hour or two I forgot to mention most all DME/ICE are used units that are massaged over. From what I can tell they are primarilary CP, & MRL units + what was on sale. So, I agree, they are using tyhe technologies that were alreay fitted, & grading the rest to match that to fit their existing conditions.
Yeah, I know RC Bernie, that is at “Everything Hobby” He was at RC meets when my Dad was into that before I went off to school. It’s a good shop, even though they are not RR specific.
Say, I’m working up a couple BC units & they have 3 mini Sinclairs on the cab in a triangle fashion, I read they are for EOT comm. If I say it that way am I correct? (They also have a std Sinclair on the cab as well, for general comm.) I have also seen pix of std Sinclairs on Cabs & near rear hood end in a duplex fashion. Is that preferred, or just someone’s style?
Thanks
I’ve seen many different kinds.
Mini Sinclair.
!(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x218/MFJ_album/WSOR engines/WSOR 3803/1-28-07021.jpg)
Whip.
!(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x218/MFJ_album/WSOR engines/WSOR 3803/1-28-07022.jpg)
All sorts of stuff.
!(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x218/MFJ_album/WSOR engines/WSOR 4011/10-24-07001.jpg)
!(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x218/MFJ_album/WSOR engines/WSOR 4076/7-22-08008.jpg)
!(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x218/MFJ_album/WSOR engines/WSOR 702/7-21-07006.jpg)
Generally a whip antenna for the radio, and a Mini Sinclair or a short can for the EOT.
Sorry I haven’t kept up on the post, but the site isn’t emailing responses to me directly. It’s pretty annoying. here I thought everyone had said what they wanted and it turns out I’ve missed things. I checked my settings and it says it’s marked to email forum responses.
It’s interesting to hear what everyone chimes in with. I didn’t realize different antenna’s are used for different equipment, with the exception of the GPS domes. It’s a little surprising to so which antennas are made and which aren’t.