# antenna on big-rig trucks

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antenna-on-big-rig-trucks/57682>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 12, 2001, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antenna-on-big-rig-trucks/57682 "2001-03-12T18:20:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mike30](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@Mike30](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike30)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antenna-on-big-rig-trucks/57682/1 "2001-03-12T18:20:20Z")

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I have occasionally seen on the roof of the tractor part of a big-rig a device that looks like a large white hamburger bun, probably plastic or fiberglass mounted on a short tripod. I must assume it is an antenna of sorts. An antenna for what I do not know. Any operators out there can answer? Thanks.  
Mike30

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Anachronism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Anachronism](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anachronism)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antenna-on-big-rig-trucks/57682/2 "2001-03-12T19:12:17Z")

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That would be the antenna for the satellite communication/tracking system that is popular with many large fleets now. The main office can track where the truck is and send & receive text messages to the truck.

Qualcomm is one major manufacturer of these systems –  
[http://www.qualcomm.com/qwbs/](http://www.qualcomm.com/qwbs/)

And a link with a pic of the antenna and in truck display –  
[http://www.qualcomm.com/qwbs/products/omnitracs-vehiclehdwr.html](http://www.qualcomm.com/qwbs/products/omnitracs-vehiclehdwr.html)