Caboose antennas

[Alco RS11]

Would caboose radio antennas be mounted on cupola roof or carbody?

 

[RCH]

Likely on the highest point possible. Santa Fe used antenna ground planes on many of their locomotives and cabooses.

 

[Alco RS11]

Ground planes?

 

[RCH]

It's a flat plane upon which the antenna is mounted, typically placed above any obstructions.

Here is a photo of a caboose I was detailing showing the ground plane made of sheet brass:

By the time the CE-8 cabooses made it to the roster they were installing Sinclair antennas directly on the roof without the ground plane.

 

[Alco RS11]

Thanks