Intro and why is there an antennae under my truck?

[zissou]

Yet another Victoria deli owner.

I've been lurking here for weeks learning everything I could on Delicas. I even know how to pronounce it now... I think. I just bought a 1990 Exceed high roof, crystal window van. This thing - yes, still a 'thing' at this point - is amazing. It looks like it's new. Everything works; all blinds, lights, lighters, radio and that rocking karaoke machine... oh yeah!

My first mods will be to get a roof rack for my kayaks and get the radio expander so I can hopefully pick up the zone and cbc. I plan on using the stock radio and link in an mp3 player using the input on the rear radio controls.

I've had the truck less than 24 hours and I've already done the 'dim 4 headlamp system fix' - Thanks John! While crawling around under the truck I noted an antennae hanging off the undercarriage. Huh? I haven't traced it to anything yet but my best guess is that it's maybe for a remote starter? Any guesses? I have attached a link to some photos.

Thanks for having this resource available....

Cheers
Steve





http://s293.photobucket.com/albums/mm42/zissou_photos/

[monstabishi]

Hi Steve,welcome to the forum,nice looking van same colour as mine sorry can't help with the antenna not seen one of them before ??? I'm sure you will get some crazy replies though !!! good luck.


Mick.

[Erebus]

Welcome. My silly suggestion is that the previous owner expected to roll his/her vehicle, and put a cell antenna on the underside, so that s/he could make phone calls when upside down.

[zissou]

Hmmmm... you maybe onto something. Mitsubishi's version of onstar?

Or, maybe ICBC is secretly installing these to track all of us RHD miscreants?

Carefull, big brother is watching.

[jwfchase]

Hey, you have the most beautiful Delica ever!!! (Same year and colour as ours... )

[mararmeisto]

Hmmmm... you maybe onto something. Mitsubishi's version of onstar?

Must be using ELF (extremely-low frequencies) to transmit information to the vehicle through the Earth's core. This is how submarines receive messages while submerged.

[FalcoColumbarius]

So Mararmeisto....

What you are saying is that Zissou is being tracked by a submarine?

Falco.

[k8bloomer]

Hey Steve

I have the same van, same year, sans the karaoke and a different hatch door. I would like to meet you or someone in Vic who has worked on their headlights - I'm better at 'live' visual instruction than forum. I think my lights are 'backwards' between regular and high beam (or just too high)

Anyone willing to meet/show me the ropes to fix this would be great. Preparing for a trip over the border in the next couple of months. I'll put this in the Victoria 'meet' strand too.

Cheers, K8

[mararmeisto]

So Mararmeisto....

What you are saying is that Zissou is being tracked by a submarine?

Falco.

No, just that Zissou should be able to pick up the same message traffic/orders as a submarine.

[The Pinkfingers]

As you followed the antennae, you didn't see it connected to any C4 or TNT did you?

[zissou]

Okay.... I finally crawled under my truck to take a closer look at that antenna. There is nothing exciting to report. There no wires leading from it. The writing on it says 'PAN Antenna Earth', 'For Your Car Life Auto Accessories'.

It was just bolted to the frame and my best guess is that it's for grounding the truck. Perhaps in the unlikely event of a lightning strike? Perhaps it aids in AM radio reception?

I'm not going to rule out submarine tracking though. Those Japanese are very clever.

No explosives were seen.

I dunno?

[FalcoColumbarius]

Actually while we are on the topic... I found a little black box under the driver's seat..... Though it might be something to do with the aerial or something but it doesn't appear to connect to anything... Perhaps I ought to crawl under Miss Lil' Bitchi and see if I can find another aerial.... maybe they are related. The thought occurred to me that it might have been for one of those TVs that were optional, that or they are onto me....

Falco.

[asorensen]

zissou as in Steve Zissou? If so then this definitely lends credence to the fact that Ned must be tracking you while you are driving around in your Belafonte!
I can just see you driving around with a red cap on. If this makes no sense I am sorry.

Andy

[zissou]

Yes, that's me. I'll be the only Deli driver out there wearing nothing but a red toque and a speedo.

Ew.

[mararmeisto]

Okay.... I finally crawled under my truck to take a closer look at that antenna. There is nothing exciting to report. There no wires leading from it. The writing on it says 'PAN Antenna Earth', 'For Your Car Life Auto Accessories'.

Judging from the photo, location and name, I'm going to go with the following:

-a cellular phone antenna for an inboard cell phone
-an antenna for a personal area network (a fleet of networked trucks, etc)

I think I'm on the right tack, but without knowing what the antenna was connected to, that would be the best I can offer.

It's too short for an FM antenna (and the orientation is wrong - should be vertical), and it would not be any more beneficial for AM (which now generally use a mass in the back of the radio or the vehicle's own wiring). It is an add on, but for what I'm not sure. And why is it UNDER the vehicle?