I notice on the Desert Rat PDF file, DR2, that a short note states
that the coil should be wound around the PCB.

Howard-

There may be a misunderstanding. I didn't see the note, but had the impression
the coil was to be wound on a 35mm film cannister.

Looking at the other references, there were a couple of alternate plastic coil
forms suggested, with differing numbers of turns depending on diameter.

73, Fred, K4DII