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Reviews For: Yaesu ATAS-120A

Category: Antennas: HF Mobile & Accessories

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Review Summary For : Yaesu ATAS-120A
Reviews: 119MSRP: 369.00
Description:
The ATAS-120A is the upgraded, more weather resistant version of the ATAS-120. Leave comments only on the ATAS-120 "A"!
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
24.51193.9
N3PV Rating: 2007-02-26
Piece of Junk Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
It can not even match the performance of OPEK HVT-400 which is only $55.00 with 80M capabality.

I did not have any problem as tuning it up with my FT 857D because I have very good grounding to the antenna mount but it always lost signal reception at about 35MPH and above speed of my van. It picks up a lot of noises such as engine, exhaust and alternator. I installed RF suppressors in many locations like power cord, cable, remote speaker wire, etc...

But with same set up, I installed an OPEK HVT-400 and an LDG Z100 tuner to my FT 857D, ALAS... the noises are gone and I do not lose signal reception at 55MPH and above vehicle speed. I can go mobile operation on 40M and 20M at day time and 80M at evening.

The problem is that the whip is small in diameter. Yaesu need to develop this model and put a bigger diameter whip just like what OPEK antennas have.

PETE
N3PV / 7J1BAT
NO9E Rating: 2007-02-05
No grounding with ATAS100 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This review is for ATAS100 but perhaps the experiences are relevant to ATAS120. I use mine with a 3 magnet mount, and it tunes well from 40 to 10m. Worked DX on 40m, and this is a miracle considering its size. When traveling overseas, I use ATAS100 with lip mount (no additional grounding), and it tunes well from 30 to 10m. Pretty amazing for a 1lb portable antenna. If the power amplifier in 857D is similar to 100D, there is some instability for some loads. This may fool the tuning algorithm. In this case, one can always tune manually.
VE3CQZ Rating: 2007-01-15
Never had a problem... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The first week I had it, snow, sleet and freezing rain were words of the day (like today). The ATAS 120A performs as I had "wished". I approached it with the usual "sure it does" attitude. BUT, it tunes everything it says it can, and with the FT-857D as my mobile rig, they are a "match"! It looks "cool" on the vehicle and is unobtrusive. If it's repeater work, no need to tune as it performs without it; no matter where I left HF. I was sure to use a strong, set screw, lip mount system from Diamond at the top of the trunk, where it meets the back window. No drilling, no "ground straps" and no sweat. Just scrape down to the metal where the set screws are to sit, and no grounding or tuning issues. Great for ragchew and DX, but if you are a serious mobile station, you will not be happy. Only 200 watts and no "awe factor" or 80/160 action for those real "mobilephiles" HI!
73
Pete
AD5TD Rating: 2006-10-26
Convinent! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had two of the ATAS-120 antenna. I sold the first when I didn't need it. The second I still have after using it almost a year. Due to my need for 80M mobile, I replaced it with a full size motorized antenna.

In my first application I had some problems (ignorance) and once I figured them out, it worked just fine. What I have found is that this antenna MUST be grounded to the BODY of the vehicle. Not just a ground strap, it must be attached to the body. You MUST have a good ground PLAIN or it will not work very well.

The second thing is to get it in the OPEN! Get it away from body panels (i.e. slab sided SUV's and PU trucks) that block the signal.

I mounted my last one with a K-400 mount AND a ground strap to the trunk of my Grand Prix. It has performed very well, even on 40M. I have had no trouble checking into most nets within 1000 miles. Most compliment me on the signal.

The last thing is convenience. This thing is just too easy to use. Just poke the "tune" button and it does all the rest.

PS: Get rid of that spaghetti whip and get something that will stand up in the wind. I used the whip and corona ball from a 80M Hustler coil. You will need to drill out he top just a bit larger, but it will stand up straight at 80MPH.
PHINEAS Rating: 2006-10-26
Good Antenna for what it is. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After a couple of years, I decided to put an HF/VHF/UHF radio in my van. I was debating on which direction I should go. The last antenna setup I had was a 102" whip with an SGC239 wire tuner. This setup worked well with my IC706, but it was not a plug and play condition. I had to run 2 control cables, and use a lot of chokes and beads. Upon deciding to buy an FT857, I had 2 choices which were an FC40, or an ATAS102a. I really did not want to be bothered with a large coil antenna, especially with my great success with whips and hamsticks. Somehow I got talked into the ATAS120a.

The first thing I like is how slick looking it is. There are no control cables. After a couple of tries, this antenna tuned up on all of the bands to 1:1 - 1:2 swr on every tuneable band. My van was already grounded, and I have a wire that is wrapped around my luggage rack.

Performance? Well, I got better results from my last setup(102" whip with SGC239 tuner). Especially on 40 meters. The antenna works, and I get good signal reports over all, but making contacts is just not as easy. This is proportional to the receive which is also effected.

Despite the short coming, it is still cool looking, and it does work. I would buy another one of these because the signal tradeoff is worth the ease of installation and use. Even though I like the performance of the 102" whip and tuner, I do not think the difference is worth the hassle to me. The 3 rating is more based on performance, than how much I like the antenna!
NC2F Rating: 2006-09-29
Wonderful design between Radio & Antenna ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
All antennas should be this operator friendly. Yaesu has done a great job coupling the operation of the ATAS-120A with their radios. It really doesn't get any easier than this. Excellent solutiuon for mobile and portable use, or even in space/deed restricted sitautions.

It's hard to mess this one up. Unless of course you are installing it mobile without proper grounding. Mother Nature's rules applies to antennas even this good. Follow the direction and use good sense where and how you mount it, and it's as best as it gets for screwdriver antennas for it's designed bands.

Performance: Outstanding. I'm already working a new round of DX 100 contacts just for this Antenna for both SSB and CW.

What more can I say, it's compact, of excellent quality materials and works as great as it looks. I Highly recommended this antenna to Yaesu 857D/897D and non-D radio owners who want to take advantage of a great design between radio and antenna...
W1RPG Rating: 2006-08-30
Good antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased the ATAS120A after reading the many reviews here on eHam. This was about a year ago. I use it on the FT857D on a Ford Taurus sedan on the passenger side trunk.
Although there were some hams trashing the ATAS120A, I decided to buy one.
The key to this antenna is making sure the mount is well grounded.
Mine works just fine and I don't have to towel it off if it rains. It works rain or shine for me.
Ciao Bob W1RPG
AA2SQ Rating: 2006-08-14
A great pair Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have the ATAS 120a for a few months now,and what a great pair with the FT-857D. Hit the the tune button and away it goes, tunes even the Warc band with no problems. Also 40m many contacts I highly recommend. But make sure you have a good ground when installing. I have the Diamond K400C mounted to my hatch on my 2005 Pathfinder. The wip clears the roof on all bands.
K4IA Rating: 2006-07-14
Great Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've used an ATAS100 for years. Had some issues that I was able to fix. The control board on the inside went bad and I replaced it. I tried a full size screwdriver for a while and it wasn't worth the hassle it caused by being so much bigger.

When it came time to do a second mobile install, I got the 120A. It tunes faster than the 100 and seems a bit more rugged. It is attached to a trunk lid mount and works fine on all the bands it is designed for with no additional grounding or tricks. I used a diplexer so my FT100D feeds all HF/VHF/UHF through the 120A. It works fine. Just make sure the diplexer can pass DC as that is needed to control the antenna.

I work mainly 20 and 40 CW mobile. The quick and accurate tuneup is a real plus.