DART Antenna

[MattC]

I have an old MC102 DART (dallas) bus.  I've never figured out what was the purpose of the stubby antenna topside.  Does anyone know what it's original purpose was, and what frequency?

[Kwajdiver]

I don't know,,, but my guess it would be some type of tracking device. Perhap a GPS.  Open it up,,, it may have the freq on it.

Bill

[buswarrior]

You'll find a VHF radio antennae in there.

May be as simple as a vertical wire surrounded by styrofoam, or a half horseshoe bent metal style protected by the plastic cover.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[BG6]

I have an old MC102 DART (dallas) bus.  I've never figured out what was the purpose of the stubby antenna topside.  Does anyone know what it's original purpose was, and what frequency?

Actually, that pic is an antenna COVER, looks like the one made by Antenna Specialists.  If you take it off, you will see a short vertical antenna under there, the cover keeps it from being broken off by tree branches.  My guess is that it's for 470 - 512MHz (what we used to call "transit band"), and would have been for the "Bitch Box" 2-way radio.  DART is now on a trunked radio system up in the celtel frequencies.

[MattC]

I have an old MC102 DART (dallas) bus.  I've never figured out what was the purpose of the stubby antenna topside.  Does anyone know what it's original purpose was, and what frequency?

Actually, that pic is an antenna COVER, looks like the one made by Antenna Specialists.  If you take it off, you will see a short vertical antenna under there, the cover keeps it from being broken off by tree branches.  My guess is that it's for 470 - 512MHz (what we used to call "transit band"), and would have been for the "Bitch Box" 2-way radio.  DART is now on a trunked radio system up in the celtel frequencies.

Thanks for the straight up info!  I don't have any 70cm radios so I'll use the hole for a GPS or XM radio.