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Post by jlwii2000 on Jun 4, 2014 14:52:08 GMT -8
As most of you know, and some have commented there are PTC Antennas available on EBaY. I bought a few dec and undec versions to see what they look like. This is what they ended up looking like on two Athearn SD60M and SD70M models. Overall my assessment is these antenna arrays aren't very detailed. If you've ever been on top of a locomotive with PTC antenna arrays they have a long hinge along the back that facilitates the opening for maintenance. The prototype also has locking hinges all around the array and anti skid tape applied to most. Lastly, the gray is very light for what I've seen atop most UP locomotives. But not too shabby for a 3D printing and the first readily available antenna array for modelers. These are available on ebay by searching PTC antenna array and some are sold out so I messaged the seller to get them making more painted UP versions. There are painted and unpainted versions and two UP and NS types of antennas. Anyhow, it was something to try but I'll probably wait on Athearn's version before upgrading the whole fleet.
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Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on Jun 4, 2014 18:33:27 GMT -8
Already saw the ad last week or so and quickly determine they were not of the higher quality for me to put on ANY of my models at that cost. How would it look putting one of those on an Overland SD70ACe? I have decided I will rather spend $10 for an accurate Ant Farm from Athearn rather than $4.99 plus $3.50 Shipping for an undecorated crude version that dude sells. I am not going to buy them for $4.99 and spend additional money to add detail parts to them and paint them or pay $10.00 for the Ant Farm that is just painted and those eye bolts are so grossly out of scale (huge) that they look silly! Oh Hail no. LOL. Have fun putting those on your models James, I can patiently wait for such a cool addition to my engines.
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Post by jlwii2000 on Jun 5, 2014 14:55:58 GMT -8
Have fun putting those on your models James, I can patiently wait for such a cool addition to my engines.
You may have missed my last sentence in the original post:
"Anyhow, it was something to try but I'll probably wait on Athearn's version before upgrading the whole fleet."
I came to that conclusion the same reason you did. The two in the photo aren't even glued down because they are rigid and not the right size. But with me if something is new, I try it out and the outcome of that attempt wasn't good in this case.
On a side note, here are better versions by Pelle Soeborg:
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Post by Mark R. on Jun 5, 2014 18:58:00 GMT -8
  Mark. |
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Post by drolsen on Jun 5, 2014 20:18:32 GMT -8
On a side note, here are better versions by Pelle Soeborg: I saw his model in Model Railroader and was impressed by the relatively simple yet crisp and accurate-looking array he made from styrene sheet and strip with antennas added on top. While it's a little bit of work, I don't think it's too complex and would probably go fairly quickly once you've made a couple. It also would let you account for the prototype variations in antenna locations that he described in his article. I have to say that it definitely looks better than the 3D printed version. Dave |
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