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| Reviews Summary for Yaesu ATAS-120A |
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Reviews: 68
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Average rating: 3.5/5
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MSRP: $369.00
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Description: The ATAS-120A is the upgraded, more weather resistant version of the ATAS-120. Leave comments only on the ATAS-120 "A"!
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://
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KF4FM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 24, 2012 04:15
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Water inside - shorting the circuits
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Thought I'd mention this in case some else has the same problem.
The antenna stopped working, so I took it apart and found rust at the base of the circuit board. It was wet there and obviously had a leak.
After cleaning the rust with a soft tooth brush and contact cleaner, I reassembled it and it worked fine.
When I installed the screws that hold the bottom section in place, I added some Penetrox joint compound to the threads.
Then I sealed the lower rubber cap with a very small bead of silicone. My guess is the water got into the cap at the top and seeped into the unit through the screw threads.
As an additional precaution, I put some silicone in the top rubber cap before sliding it into position.
The antenna now works like new again.
(The antenna is used as a base in a HOA.)
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KJ4EMG
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 21, 2011 19:59
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STILL WORKKS GREAT 3 YEARS LATER
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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HAD THE ATAS 120 A FOR OVER 3 YEARS AND STILL WORKS GREAT. HAS BEEN THROUGH MULITIPLE TROPICAL STORMS AND HURRICANES AND STILL UP AND RUNNING.
SET UP VIDEO OF ATAS 120 A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLfX-P-ep34)
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KB4MTO
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 14, 2011 06:03
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Great antenna if installed properly
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I've had my ATAS-120A for about 4 months and I love it. I have over 120 contacts with it including 29 different countries, some with multiple contacts. I have no problem working most pileups, which says a lot about the setup. But like most things, proper installation is critical.
This antenna requires a solid ground, no exceptions. Without a proper ground, it will not work consistently, if at all. Many of the reviews I read where people have problems indicate that the antenna does not have a solid ground. I use the Diamond K-400 mount and have a solid connection to the hatchback. I also have a ground strap between the hatchback and body, and the body of my 857D is grounded to the chassis. The antenna tunes every time and the performance is outstanding.
If someone has problems with this antenna, I recommend calling Yaesu tech support or get help from the ATAS-120 Yahoo group or even the FT-857 group before writing it off. It could be a simple grounding issue that once fixed, will provide a nice antenna.
73,
Hank Lambert
KB4MTO / TA5ZC
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WW8O
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Rating: 1/5
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Nov 5, 2011 12:44
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bad out of box
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Just got my antenna 120a and hook it ut to my ft-857d in the car. try to turn up on 20 meter.
the antenna begin to turn and stop and then it would not to up ot down and to send it back.
I have a lot of antenna on my truck and cars this is the first atas 120a i brought. but did not work out of the box. so today sent it bac to R&L. try again hope to get a better one next time.
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ON4XA
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Rating: 1/5
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Oct 30, 2011 07:38
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unreliable
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Hi all, after my atas 120 was stolen, I bought a 120A. I did vy nice contact with it. Sawing the probs of the 120, I was carefull to put it in house when it was raining. It's now just 1 year and 1 month I have it, and it stops to work. Totally blocked. Even on power supply. I am very disapointed about it, and certainly that I go to hollidays in a few hours, without antenna on the car. It's just a unreliable antenna. Seems that some cheap CB antennas works great also on other bands. I will check up. 73's Xavier
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DERECKBC
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 15, 2011 09:21
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Happy Camper So Far
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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First let me say I am a new operator, obtained my general class last June. I only have 1 radio a Yaesu FT-857D radio which I use in my truck and home. So far I am very happy with my ATAS-120A antenna. It tunes very fast and so far I have made contacts with Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and Alaska from my north Texas location on the 20 and 10 meter bands.
I have not experienced any of the grounding problems reported. I used a Comet HD-5M lip mount on the rear passenger door which elevates the base of the antenna just above the cab roof line. So far I have not done any type of grounding, just the set screws the mount provides. Only thing I have done is run the radio positive and negative supply directly to the battery terminals.
One note I have a 2011 Dodge Turbo Diesel Ram 2500 pickup truck which uses 2 AGM heavy duty batteries, and no ignition system to deal with. Makes no difference is the engine is running or not, no noise difference and SWR is great on all specified bands. The radio is configured for HF+50, and I use a separate antenna for 2M and 70cm.
My only complaint is minor and resolved. When the antenna arrived it did not come with the weather cap. I contacted Yaesu and they sent a replacement and I had it within a week. Only precaution I take is I remove the antenna every night or if rain is present. So far so good.
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K9AOG
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 26, 2011 18:22
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Set-Up properly
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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No issues with great results. Ran it with an Icom 706 for a year now a Yaesu 857D. Prefer the autotune feature while driving. My local club has a sub group dealing with the 857D, yes I know this is for the ATAS 120A. This group helps each other and we've found that most bond not ground their ATAS 120A. The ones bonding, thinking they are grounded have problems. Once grounded properly they all worked fine.
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WX4R
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Rating: 0/5
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May 26, 2011 20:41
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alll 3 worked for a short period.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I owned 2-120 and 1 120A. All worked for a brief period, however they all just quit moving to tune. I surely thought the 120A was the answer. I own Yeasu radio equipment and it works well. Maybe tuneable antennas is just not their thing. Mine were WELL grounded to the body.
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KK8ZZ
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Rating: 1/5
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May 26, 2011 18:07
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Poor antenna
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Looks great, works when it wants to. Quit after short time each. Went through two, never again.
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VA6GC
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Rating: 2/5
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May 26, 2011 11:39
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Problem antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought my first ATAS-120A about 2 years ago, worked okay for about 6 months then after some troubleshooting, re-soldering and weatherproofing I replaced the cct board.
I guess I was stupid enough to buy a second one about 6 months ago. I believe I need to replace the cct board in this one.
I would not recommend these antennas, they look good but that's it!
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