| KB4MTO |
Rating:      |
2011-11-14 | |
| Great antenna if installed properly |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
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
|
|
| WW8O |
Rating:  |
2011-11-05 | |
| bad out of box |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
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. |
|
| DERECKBC |
Rating:      |
2011-09-15 | |
| Happy Camper So Far |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
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.
|
|
| K9AOG |
Rating:      |
2011-06-26 | |
| Set-Up properly |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| 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. |
|
| WX4R |
Rating:  |
2011-05-26 | |
| alll 3 worked for a short period. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| 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. |
|
| VA6GC |
Rating:   |
2011-05-26 | |
| Problem antenna |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
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!
|
|
| Done |
Rating:      |
2011-04-21 | |
| Clean |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
Ok, first attempt to go HF mobile. Researched all the types of antennas- Tarheal was the probably my first choice- but wanted something that was clean and simple to mount on my Sieanna minivan. I also didnt want seperate control panels and wiring, also drilling any holes was out of the question.
Settled on the FT450D by Yaseu, and the ATAS120A and K550 Diamond luggage rack mount. Install was easy- bonded my ground from the mount to the roof, under the sliding door- there was a nice convienent bolt. Used RG8 braid, cleaned all paint off under the bolt- use star washers. Sealed with electrical sealant spray.
Tuning around was fast with the touch of a button on the FT450D- very nice. I was hearing alot- My first call was to N4BBZ in Main, he answered and gave me a good report- about 900 mi.
Very happy with the looks of this antenna, nice job Yaseu. It unscrews quick for the carwash.
I can fold the antenna down to get into the garage with the Diamond mount. (I let you know when I forget)- "/
Overall, if you want a more car friendly hf antenna, the ATAS-120A is a good choice.
73
Earl
AB9TX
|
|
| N6PG |
Rating:      |
2011-02-08 | |
| Easy antenna to use. Installed correctly, it's great! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I was not expecting much, after reading many bad reviews. I also learned from others, that the key to this antenna is to mount it as high on the car as possible, and have a good ground on the antenna to the car.
It tunes easy and quick with my FT-857 and FT-450. SOOOOO EASY... and then just key the mic and talk! I've worked the Falklands, Russia, Japan, Indonesia, Hawaii, etc etc... it really does a great job. I have read about many failures after rain and the intricate parts inside. I cannot comment on that, since I keep it out of the rain. I'm in San Diego, and so I remove the antenna if rain is in the forecast. I may be overly cautious, but I don't want it to fail... I really like the setup!
My new call is N6PG... but it wouldn't let me sign in with that.
Scott |
|
| W8WLK |
Rating:  |
2011-02-07 | |
| Worked-Broke-Terrible Service |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| I bought a new ATAS-120A from the Dayton HamFest and installed it in my attic. Never on a vehicle. It was connected to my FT-857D and worked wonderfully but I never used it to transmit, only receive. I realize the radio does transmit a signal to tune the antenna and even though I hold a General license I only communicate on 2meters thru a different antenna. Within the warranty period it quit screwing up or down. I sent it to Yaesu and they said because I couldn't find the receipt they would fix it for $75. I asked them what was wrong and I was told that I "broke a cold solder joint because of stress from wind from being on a vehicle". Well, I might have been born at night but I wasn't born last night. It was never in any wind and a cold solder joint is a manufacturing problem that was a fault when it was made. My antenna was held for a $75 ransom so I paid it...sold it on eBay and then proceeded to sell every piece of Yaesu equipment I have and have told my story to my Ham Club and all of my friends. |
|
| KI5SO |
Rating:     |
2011-01-21 | |
| Met myself coming back! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
Well, well, I went and sold my Atlas 120A and bought myself $750 worth of Little Tarheel II antenna, diamond 400 hatchback mount and Turbo Tuner to interface antenna with Yaesu FT-857D. The Tarheel requires a special power cord to go to the antenna in addition to the coax. As you know, the Atlas is powered thru the coax and is built to work with the Yaesu radio. What an expensive and complicated task to get me on 75 meters!
If you can live without 75 meters in the mobile, get the Atlas 120A and ground, ground, ground and ferrite core, ferrite core cable and enjoy fast tuning and decent service on every band from 40 meters all the way thru 2 meters and 440 (2 meters and 440 mhz with additional duplexer--$45?).
The Atas 120A may not be the best antenna in the world, but for the price, it's ease of use, it makes sense to use with the Yaesu Ft-857D. Any screwdriver or shortened antenna is a compromise.
I've got my dream come true little tarheel II now but I've met myself looking back at the Atlas 120A. Hopefully, I can get used to the slowwwwwwwwww tuning and enjoy 75 meters enough to satisfy the $400 extra expense! Think before you change; you might meet yourself coming back.
----------------------
Earlier 3-star review posted by KI5SO on 2010-06-14
This is my second review. I ended up getting the Diamond 400 mount for the thing. It does seem to be a better mount. At least you can turn the weak side away from the wind.
The antenna works so it is better than nothing. I did extra grounding and that helps the receive. Mine is on a Prius so I have a lot of computer devices and electrical noises to get past. It works great on 10 meters and 20 meters. On forty it is better than nothing. Actually, it does as good as a ham stick on the bands it is designed for so it's ok. Like the Yaesu FC-40 auto tuner, it is nice because it is built to work with the Yaesu 857, 897, etc. However, there are better antennas and tuners but you have to buy adaptor devices. I am reading very great reviews on the little Tarheel II and the Icom auto tuner has much more range than the Yaesu tuner. I think Yaesu needs to visit Icom and borrow some ideas. If either of these products quit working (FC-40 and Atlas 120A) I'll go with something else. This is just my honest opinion. Not bad, just ok. I'm happy to be on the air.
|
|