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When satellite radio makes its much-anticipated debut in late September, among the first people who will be able to listen to the digital quality sound will be owners of brand new premium trucks from Peterbilt Motors Co.

The personal digital assistant comes in handy for surfing the Web, checking e-mail, taking notes and as a personal calendar and phone book. But the little devices are so customizable that it’s easy to add extra features — even ones that apply to truck maintenance.

An electronic vehicle-tracking device proved instrumental in helping law enforcement officials last week recover 16 trailers loaded with stolen cargo in Fontana, Calif., and arrest a man police allege is a major player in truck heists in Southern California.

Federal lawmakers are moving on several fronts to push rapid government adoption of high-tech identification systems to prevent terrorism.

While many large fleets provide services to help drivers and their families cope with the hardships of the over-the-road life, self-employed truckers have to find their own support network.