Atlas loco's w/firecracker antennae?

[Joetrain59]

Hi, does anyone know offhand of any Atlas N loco's that came with a firecracker antenna?
    I think I ordered some before, but knowing where to start on the Atlas site would be a help.
 Thanks,
 Joe D

[peteski]

Years ago, friend of mine made those himself from a piece of standard solid telephone wire (24 or 26AWG?).  Take a short piece and strip the insulation from one end. Bare wire is the thin (lower) side of the antenna.  Then trim the insulated part of the wire to the height of the fatter end of the antenna. Presto, you now have a firecracker antenna. Paint it, drill a hole in the cab,and glue the stripped wire end in, leaving some of the stripped wire exposed.  Easy and cheap, and you probably have all the needed supplies at home.

[nkalanaga]

Plus, more durable than a plastic casting, and if they are damaged or lost, can be replaced in minutes.

[Joetrain59]

Thanks, I do remember someone using wire/insulation before.
 The wire size info helps, and like you said, less prone to snapping off.
 Happy St. Patrick's Day!
 Joe D

[peteski]

Yes, I remember his  getting bent during NTRAK shows - we just had to straighten it again.

And I'm pretty sure it was 26 AWG wire (telephone or CAT5 cable).  The antenna is slightly out of scale, but not excessively so, and it has the right look.

[u18b]

I made them from 10 mil guitar string.

The fat part is a piece of insulation off of a wire.  Superglued together.

Guitar string is much tougher.

[peteski]

I like it!

[spookshow]

Cat whiskers work good too - thin, flexible and extremely unbreakable.



-Mark

[u18b]

Cat whiskers work good too - thin, flexible and extremely unbreakable.



-Mark

I like it!  Novel idea.

But all kinds of images come into my mind re: acquiring raw materials...... 

[Joetrain59]

Those look really nice Ron. Would a music store know the string by 10 mil?
 Joe D

[u18b]

Those look really nice Ron. Would a music store know the string by 10 mil?
 Joe D

No.
Ask for  .010"  or a TEN.

I just bought some 8, 10, 12.  Use them often.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ernie-Ball-Plain-Steel-Single-String-010-gauge/221673641688?epid=19028402631&hash=item339cc756d8

[eja]

One string would certainly be a lifetime supply !

[mu26aeh]

I like it!  Novel idea.

But all kinds of images come into my mind re: acquiring raw materials...... 

Eh, look close enough and you'll find them.  We have wood floors so dust mop used frequently.  Pretty easy to find

[peteski]

Since cat whiskers are tapered, the thin pointy ends also make good CB whip antennas for model automobiles. 

[Joetrain59]

And certain bird feathers could make nice palm fronds!?
 Joe D