whats this thing on the top of my bus

[reelnative]

is this some sort of alien tracking device or a lump for drivers heads that are 8ft tall, but really what is it it looks factory installed, but they didnt have gps in 76 so what can it be?

[JackConrad]

Perhaps a cover over a UHF antenna?  Jack

[reelnative]

Hi Jack theres also a small black antenna next to it maby 6in tall

[MattC]

Radio antenna, for what is commonly called a 'bitch box'.  =)  Well, that's what they said mine was.  UHF

[JohnVickrey]

I don't know either, but I want one.   I can put the GPS antenna in it.....

[MattC]

I don't know either, but I want one.   I can put the GPS antenna in it.....

That's right, Buffalo have a steel plate in their head.      Good to see you on John!

[reelnative]

so its for like a 4 meter antanna or a ham radio somthing like that

[MattC]

so its for like a 4 meter antanna or a ham radio somthing like that

Aye, 2 meter or so,  Some muni frequencies are 130s, 170s,, 200s, etc.  However it changes from area to area. 

[Busted Knuckle]

many times airports and places like that require regular users to have a "transponder" (similar to a "pikepass") to identify who they are and how often they come and go.

Just my wild guess that it is something like that!
  BK 

[HighTechRedneck]

My RTS has something similar, just a different shape.  I was told it was for the antenna for the transit driver to communicate with their office.

I have toyed with the idea of trying to mount a wifi antenna in it.  Just not much motivation for me since I use a cellular wireless card and have a signal most places I go.  And if I didn't, I likely wouldn't have a wifi signal available either.

[MattC]

many times airports and places like that require regular users to have a "transponder" (similar to a "pikepass") to identify who they are and how often they come and go.

Just my wild guess that it is something like that!
  BK 

Sorta like a bus-sized alien implant?  j/k

[Van]

I had three on mine, one up top, and the two you see on the cap, pulled 3 business band radios out of it. It did have a 10 inch S/S pig tail antenna also, guess Harran coach really was in touch with it's drivers, before they slammed the door shut on the drivers .

LIL devil horns we call them LOL

[bryanhes]

Matt,

Wrong John, LOL. Its Vickers

Bryan

[MattC]

Matt,

Wrong John, LOL. Its Vickers

Bryan

Thanks Bryan, if I'd ONLY READ!  LoL.   Sorry John(s)

[RJ]

Reel -

Van got it right - it's a business band radio antenna cover.

Extremely common on transit buses, lots of communications between dispatch and the fleet on the street.

Check it out a little closer, as most are fiberglass or plastic.  If so, the idea of using it as a cover for a GPS antenna is a good one.  If it's metal, a GPS might not be able to obtain a signal.

FWIW & HTH. . .