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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
VA2DV Rating: 2021-07-15
The Atas-120A as a low profile antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I like to experiment with unusual antenna systems. My actual location is not very antenna friendly, no HOA's but almost no space for large antennas. The best antenna for my situation would probably have been a magnetic loop, but there is nothing on the market with a remote control at a fair price. While seeking ideas on the net, I discovered that many operators were using screwdriver mobile antennas with some degree of success. Since I am using an FTdx-10, I went with the Atas-120a for simplicity and automation. I first tried to use the antenna with a few wires radials wires laying on the balcony floor. I ended up with poor results.
I then move it up to the border of the roof, grounding directly to the aluminium siding of the house. Nothing complicated here, just an old cb mirror bracket attached with some metal screws and a few clip-on ferrites on the coax. With this setup, the antenna is now tuning perfectly and perform up to my expectations. It's not a full size dipole up in the air but it's a very good compromise. Working DX on 20m and 40m just as well as with my previous, more bulky antennas. It's a decent
low profile setup, with full automation provided by with the Ftdx-10.
KD2JVX Rating: 2021-02-07
Very good Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First outing a great success. Namibia from Secaucus nj. 100w. Best on 20m. Grounding is critical. Recommend direct ground wire from antenna mount to nut that holds the seats down. Alligator clips work fine. 40m didn't work. I think my vehicle was not big enough.
KE6BQW Rating: 2019-09-23
Great HF Mobile Antenna Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have the ATAS-120A now for about 11 months. So far it performed excellently. **The most important note to remember to keep it tuning flawlessly is to make sure its' GROUNDED properly.
Also, do not tune when vehicle is moving, you have to fully stop, as written in the manual. This prevents damage to its gears and motor.
I just got back from a 1700+ mile road trip road trip and performed without a hitch. It's mounted on a Class B RV, a Camper Van, It's a long Pro Master 3500, so its jarring, shaking ride for it in the rear and performed flawlessly. As for signals, If I could hear the station, I could work it. 73~N4GDX
N4THC Rating: 2019-05-14
Great Compromise Mobile Antennna Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have had this over six months. I bonded it to the trunk lid and then to the body of my car and get it to tune 6-meters thru 40-meters. Most of my contacts are on 20-meters, due to my commute times. This antenna complements my FT-891 in my Camry very well. I also have the -891 mounted a short distance from the antenna. My only complaint is that sometimes the antenna gets "lost" after I press tune I have assigned to the A soft key. I have to use the mic up and down to manually tune. and then it "finds itself".
VK4FEEL Rating: 2019-01-20
Great but not sturdy Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Have had this antenna mounted on the Bullbar of
my 4x4 although I don’t do any extreme 4x4 driving the roads here in Australia are pretty rough in some areas. Have had the antenna installed for 12 months love the ease of operation performance on the air was great but due to our adverse road conditions here and the vibration through the bullbar the antenna has just shaken to pieces. So if you are just going to mount on a car that drives on good roads you can’t go pay the this antenna, down side for a $500.00 antenna it’s sturdiness leaves a lot to be desired.
K7ER Rating: 2018-12-24
Installation Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This antenna works great 857D no problem. I have just bout a FT891 and I am sure it will work great as well. I believe the believe the BAD reviews are due to installation. You really should look into ground bonding. This antenna relies on a good ground. If you install this antenna on a K400 mount you need to run some ground braid from the mount by the antenna connection to the hatch then from the hatch to the body of the car. Also from doors to chassie and hood to chassie. This makes all the difference. My install is on a Subaru Forester but this advise would apply to any mobile install. BOND to the chassie. I been very secussful with this antenna. 73 to all!
Jerry de K7ER
AF5BG Rating: 2018-11-19
Yaesu ATAS-120a as a base station antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Impression after making 1000 contacts in my first 35 days of use.

It's good enough to make 1000 contacts in 35 days.

This is particularly impressive since I have it on a mag mount on top of my metal 3 car garage, which of course provides a lot of metal under the antenna, which seems to be necessary for good performance.
Rig used is a Yaesu FT-857D with a Diamond MX-62M Duplexer.
Most contacts were FT8 or PSK31 plus a few really good rag chews on HF SSB and 2m/70cm FM. Bands used so far are 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 2m and 70cm.

Some notable contacts:

Longest confirmed contact:
9879 miles, Indonesia

Other interesting contacts (in no particular order):

KING SE-JONG Antarctic Scientific Base
Azores, Iceland, South Africa, European and Asiatic Russia
107 QSOs to Europe
41 QSOs to Asia (30 to Japan)
270 total international contacts to 60 countries

The antenna has suppressed my every expectation. Not only has it performed superbly on HF but also on local 2m and 70cm repeaters. The whole trick to successfully using this antenna is to get plenty of metal under it and provide a solid ground. I have only used it a little over a month, but right now my review is 5/5.
KH6ITY Rating: 2018-08-08
A true POS Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was soooo pleased when I bought it. I no longer has to stop to change bands. Well, that only lasted A FEW months and then it quit. Ended up sending it in twice for repair. The first repair lasted one week. The second repair lasted for only one use. When I tuned it for 40 meters it went to the top and then stuck there never to move again. This is the second time Yaesu has cheated me on a product. The first was my 857D where the screen went bad and you couldn't read it. Turned out it was caused by a poor attachment process design which Yaesu corrected later. Problem is they refused to fix mine unless I pay them $250.00 plus shipping both ways. It was their mistake to begin with. NEVER AGAIN WILL I TOUCH A YAESU PRODUCT!
VK2LEE Rating: 2018-03-15
Cannot get working correctly Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've had this antenna for about 6 months along with an FT-857D and although I have only had it on the car about 3 times, I cannot get the antenna to tune on 40 meters using the auto tune. It is mounted on My bonnet and I have used braid to earth out the bonnet and base of antenna. I will admit I have not checked out the earth with a multimeter, so that is what I will do next. I was going to fit a longer stainless steel whip to the antenna.. I will admit that it has received strong stations on 40m at times. I haven't had a contact on it as it..
K1GUY Rating: 2018-03-12
COMPACT MOBILE ANTENNA WITH A KICK Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
When i first set-up the 120A with a Yaesu 891, it was difficult to tune. I manually tuned it from the setting in the radio that raises and lowers the antenna. Then, I bonded the hood of my Jeep to the rest of the body and frame. From there on, the Yaesu tuned automatically, and perfectly. Make sure you enable ATAS in the menu. This radio, and antenna are a good match. Contacts are easy into The USA, Europe and RUSSIA ! Even VK land and South Africa, at times. I will continue bonding the exhaust system and parts of the frame, as recommended.

I have both my Yaesu 400 and 891 mounted on LIDO Mounts, which work for me and my warden. A beautiful set-up.

The antenna stands on a diamond mount that was modified to a custom block of aluminum. It then bolts into the roof rack bolt to secure the antenna. High roof mounting is important for any mobile antenna.

The Yaesu 120A compares well to my previous antenna, a Tarheel 75 Stubby, but you have to give up 80m for this antenna. There is plenty of fun ahead for this set-up. It's perfect for me.
Thank you Yaesu !