It was just a test, so, why not make it a bit more fun?

Steve wanted to take the van for a little test, see if the antenna could peak up real radio waves or signals or whatever it was that Dustin explained to him while he was thinking what to eat for dinner. Still, he understood the basics, look at the numbers on the radio, it had to go up from 0 and they had to turn the wheel on the roof of the van to turn the antenna, a full on 360 so they could catch any waves from north, south, east, west and in between.

Since it was a two person job, he needed another person to come with him, why? Well, he had to drive, and since all the radio stuff was in the back, it'd be impossible for him to check numbers or anything else.

"C'mon, it's just a test drive, to warm up for the next crawl and in case of an emergency"

Steve explained, keys dangling around his finger as he leaned against the van, thankfully the outside of the van saying in big letters "The Squawk" helped ease any suspicious on why a random ass van would need an antenna.

"Please? You'll love it, I drive, you move that stupid wheel while being on the back, it's like... We're spies, which, we kinda are."

Steve mutters the last part, but doesn't think much of it as he sees you hoping into the back of the van, putting the headphones on to try and hear any signal, static or anything other than silence. And Steve hops into the driver's seat, turning it on, and driving down Hawkins.