I have a couple of Kato dash 9s I want to put Hi-Tech GPS domes on, but the Katos come with an antenna already molded on the roof. Any suggestions on how to go about getting the GPS domes on in the proper location. I fear that I will have to file or cut the molded on antenna off first. Any other suggestions would be welcome.
BNSF, Can you post a picture of what you have to remove and what you have to install... Then I'll have a better idea to say how i'd go about removing one and replacing it with the other. Dummy I am... Not to familier with Kato, and diesels in general.... Steamers another story! [ 05 July 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]
Hey, EM1: Well here is what I have pictorially to explain the situation. The top 3 photos should show the old style antenna in the middle of the roof. I have heard some refer to it as a "Flute" but I don't know. If you can see it on the Kato photos you will notice that it is molded into the roof. I want to make the thing look like the last photo with the big white dome! I have the domes put together and painted already, but that molded part won't let me mount them flush to the roof. Seems that my choice is either to create a recessed point in the dome or figure out how to shave the old antenna off.
Go ahead and shave off the old antennas; they aren't needed and get in the way of installing the Hi-Tech dome. The idea behind the domes on the prototype is to provide a shelter for the different comm/telemetry antennas; the presence of a dome doesn't necessarily mean the unit is GPS equipped. With newer units coming with multiple antennas on the roofs, each with its own mounting hole in the roof, they can tend to leak over time. The dome is there to cover the antenna group and prevent this. The large antenna on the middle of the roof on BNSF 989 is a Sinclair antenna, sometimes nicknamed "ice skate".
Here's a tip for shaving off details: Take the flat chisel X-acto blade (I can't remember what number it is) and file the corners so they are rounded off. That way when you set it flat on the roof of the cab to slice off the antenna the corners of the blade won't accidentally gouge the plastic. Is that clear without a picture? Second tip - if you have to shave in the general direction of other details (try to avoid this but sometimes you have to) put masking tape over the details you don't want to damage. It's not a guarantee - but it will help minimize the damage if your knife slips.
Thanks for the tips guys. I didn't really want to have to shave the antenna off, but I guess that I have no other choice. Thanks for suggestions on how to not ruin the plastic when filing the thing down. I like that idea about using the masking tape to guard against scratching. I'll let you all know how it turns out. Thanks!
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by yankinoz: Here's a tip for shaving off details: Take the flat chisel X-acto blade (I can't remember what number it is) and file the corners so they are rounded off. That way when you set it flat on the roof of the cab to slice off the antenna the corners of the blade won't accidentally gouge the plastic. Is that clear without a picture? Second tip - if you have to shave in the general direction of other details (try to avoid this but sometimes you have to) put masking tape over the details you don't want to damage. It's not a guarantee - but it will help minimize the damage if your knife slips.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> #17 - Another tip. For tight spots you can file the #17 blade as narrow as you need and minimize the risk of damaging the surrounding area. Good Luck.
BNSF, If you own a Dremel.... Mitre out a section of the dome you want to glue on so that it clears the antena on the roof and drop your glue into the recess in the dome....... you can do this and wouldn't have the trouble or worry of gouging or scratching the loco's paint... It will be done on the dome and on the bottom and unseen!! hope this helps......
