What in the world is it?

I pass by this rather odd piece of equipment frequently, and I've always been puzzled by its function. It consists of a box, a ladder-type-thingy, a panel of some sort and an antenna. It certainly looks as if it's either sending or receiving signals from outer space.

My theory is that the aliens have put out this equipment openly to monitor our activities. They were very, very clever in placing their monitoring equipment -- it is right next to a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant. Even if someone noticed this contraption, the lovely scents wafting from the restaurant would quickly overpower any curiosity. We Earthlings are so simple!