Is this an original PDL II?

[Heywood]

Was put up in 1970. Was given permission to remove it. Looks complete, but needs some rehab. Is it an original ??

 

[wavrider]

looks like it is to me

 

[murdog]

It sure is in all its glory ! Great find .

 

[w9cll]

Sure looks like the one I had

 

[Dmans]

If not original, it is a GOOD copy!

73
David

 

[Heywood]

It's got original Saxton signal sender coaxial cable on it too.

I'll bet money it's a real one. I'll rebuild it.

 

[AudioShockwav]

Looks like the one I had years ago.

Be careful with those plastic hubs, they are old enough to be called vintage.

73
Jeff

 

[nomadradio]

Wow! The original Phase Diversity Loop antenna. Haven't seen one in literally decades.

73

 

[Jay Mojave]

Hello All: Yeah the plastic hubs will probably need to be replaced with Teflon, Dilrin, or even Fiberglass. Oh and the Cast Aluminum metal Hub is know for having internal cracks and falling apart right out of the box being brand new. But other than that it looks original to me, and rebuildable. I have had new billet 6061T6 Hubs made for replacing the old Hubs. But expensive.

Taking pictures of antennas isn't easy.

Also the PDL II, and Moonraker 4 and 6 element antennas came with cheap 14 gauge wire which would stretch with age. The assemble instructions even say to pre stretch the 14 gauge wire before installation. Suggest using 10 Gauge wire from Amidon, called Thermaleze Coated wire, as the insulation is pretty tough and the 10 Gauge wire will not stretch like the cheap 14 gauge wire supplied with the PDLII antenna. SEE:

Thermaleze-Coated Magnet Wire (amidoncorp.com)

Please let us know how this all works out for you. good luck.

Jay in the Great Mojave Desert

 

[Heywood]

Well, that's good news. Fellow said he thinks he may still have the assembly manual too. He's 85, and a lot of fun to talk too. I'm taking it down next month. Pretty amazing that it's been up for 50 years and still together.

 

[Marconi]

Heywood, you be real careful with that old tower. Hopefully you will be using a good lift bucket.

 

[Road Squawker]

the "original" PDL and the PDL-2 are different designs

 

[BJ radionut]

Heywood, you be real careful with that old tower

Looks like VERY OLD 20G/ maybe American 20G clone...
I can not believe that thing stayed up with that PI$$Y A$$ rotor holding it in place...no Guys...bearing or thrust bushing at top!

 

[Jay Mojave]

the "original" PDL and the PDL-2 are different designs

Gee Whiz what is the difference between the PDL-1 and PDL-11 ??

Jay in the Great Mojave Desert

 

[Blackcat630]

Heywood, you be real careful with that old tower. Hopefully you will be using a good lift bucket.

Agreed! If climbing give it a very good inspection and shake. Look for leg splits near the base...check the welds as you slowly ascend. Keep the wiggling to a minimum