Yaesu ATAS-120A Part 4 (I Can’t Believe I’m Doing This)

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 11 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 94

  • @kaydenchristensen5011
    @kaydenchristensen5011 Рік тому +4

    I went and bought this antenna, and I must say I’m surprised. It has no business being as good as it is. I have worked nearly every state on SSB during my pots activations. I get constant good reports and I hear people very well. Mag mounted to my trucks roof. Such a great antenna for the size. 10/10 recommend for a mobile antenna

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      I couldn’t agree more, as evidenced by what I did in this video.

  • @ericselectronics3298
    @ericselectronics3298 Рік тому +2

    Have finally gotten around to ordering the ATAS, mounting bracket, and coax feed. Was sold because I also have an Avalanche and liked the solution. Already a bit of a Yaesu fan-boi and have an 891 for portable work. So, your solution was a natch' for me. Thanks!

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      Congratulations! I’m still enjoying this setup. So convenient. And the performance rivals my individual ham sticks that I had to change per band.

  • @SteelWolf13
    @SteelWolf13 2 місяці тому +1

    16:11 looks like the radios are mounted on a sturdy po-go stick. Must be super strong to keep the radios in place and not come loose.

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  2 місяці тому

      There is only one radio. The FT-891 has the FC-50 automatic “antenna tuner” mounted below it. But the FC-50 isn’t connected. It is not needed with an antenna that truly tunes itself. I bought the mount at Ham Radio Outlet in the mid 1990s. I don’t remember the brand name.

  • @KX4UL
    @KX4UL Рік тому +3

    Thanks for this series of ATAS-120A videos! 73!

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      You are very welcome! There is another coming.

  • @Manticore2024
    @Manticore2024 2 місяці тому +1

    Thanks very much for this video. Tomorrow my diamond 400 K adapter arrives, and I’ll install that on the hood of my 2007 Ford F250 pretty much the same place you installed yours on your truck. Sunday my Yaesu ATAS arrives, and I’m really looking forward to hooking that up! Your videos are very educational and very helpful! 👍

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  2 місяці тому +1

      You’re very welcome. 73, de N4HNH

  • @andy2E0JIU
    @andy2E0JIU Рік тому +1

    Thanks doug,I found this very helpful 👍

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому +1

      I’m glad you liked it, Andy. 73, Doug

  • @Nick_G7IZR
    @Nick_G7IZR Рік тому +4

    Top tip, tune the antenna to 6m (if you have it, 10m if you don't) when done for the day and the antenna will then be the shortest it can be for transport.

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      @Nick S Yes indeed. I do that myself. It’s especially important if the antenna is mounted on the front, like mine, where it experiences a high wind load. My friend Richard has his mounted at the center of the trunk of his car. His ATAS-120A is shielded from so much wind load. Mine isn’t.

  • @mattg.6367
    @mattg.6367 Місяць тому +1

    To save your paint, if you are using a mag mount antenna, buy a roll of clear vehicle wrap. Or have some made up at a vehical wrap place. Clean and stick them on where the magnet will sit, and it will stop any damage to your vehicle. It won't stop paint fade, but at least you won't have damage. And if you sell the vehicle later, the stickers peel right off

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Місяць тому

      I tried that at first. The plastic affected the capacitive coupling. It was okay for 20 through 10 meters, but the SWR was unusable on 40, 60, and 80 meters. Magnetic mounts are just inadequate for 7MHz and lower.

  • @CURTIS-W5CER
    @CURTIS-W5CER Рік тому +2

    I just bought the same radio and an ATAS-120A. I'm putting it in a 2023 F-150. Not sure where I'm gonna mount it yet. Like you said, there's a lot of difference in today's vehicles, and not a lot of mounting space. I'm looking at a breedlove pocket mount for the bed rail on the truck to mount the antenna. I'm glad I ran into your channel, though. I've been binge watching this series. lol. Lots of good info.

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому +1

      I’m glad you find the channel helpful. There is a team of supporters who make the videos possible.

    • @haroldkearney1843
      @haroldkearney1843 Рік тому

      Aluminum body on my 2017 super duty how will you mount and ground it to the frame???🇺🇸🦿

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      @haroldkearney1843 use a bonding strap from the antenna mount to the frame.

  • @ScottBrown1406_Repair
    @ScottBrown1406_Repair 8 місяців тому +2

    I just picked up a spare ATAS-120 , Great Antenna! 73 N2OG

  • @hfBMW
    @hfBMW Рік тому +1

    Good stuff! I had a Johnson Screwdriver on the back of BMW motorcycles. NO ground of hood or top of car. I still was able to call "motorcycle mobile" I would contact the SATERN net. Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network. Talking to Net control in New Jersey while riding I-80 in Nebraska. Usually it was 20 meters and maybe 40. And I did use that antenna to call out when my Ford Pickup truck broke down. Called out on 2 meters. The tow truck driver smiled. "Yeah we heard you on the scanner! I had the Icom 706 MKII. and a heil microphone inside the full face helmet. Wear ear plugs would drown out the white noise of the wind to hear the guys rag chewin'!

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      That’s a great testimonial to what can be accomplished.

  • @Steve-GM0HUU
    @Steve-GM0HUU Рік тому +3

    👍Good video, thanks. I must admit, I thought you were going to drill a hole in the roof to mount the ATAS-120A.

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      No. I don’t want an expensive antenna up where it could catch a tree limb.

    • @Steve-GM0HUU
      @Steve-GM0HUU Рік тому

      @@n4hnhradioGood point, trees and the like can be a problem. I have a mag-mount with hamsticks on my car roof. Car is not very large/high but I soon learned to be careful. There are one or two low bridges nearby that I keep forgetting about and the top of the whip clangs off them 🤣. At least the top half of the hamsticks are quite flexible and they are not expensive enough to worry about too much. I did have a VHF/UHF mobile co-linear with a fold-over mechanism to protect it. Can't recall seeing anything like that for HF whips though.

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      I’ve broken a couple of ham sticks. Ran them for 25 + years until the ATAS-120A.

  • @JimWeslager
    @JimWeslager Рік тому +1

    The ATAS 120A antennas are hard to beat. Just installed one on my Ram 1500 pickup truck to my FT-891 and have had great results on 80 through 10 meters. The antenna tunes quickly and the low SWR on each of those bands makes for an easy operation. My antenna install is on the truck bed centered right behind the cab on a Breedlove antenna mount, which is solid as a rock. Thanks for sharing your experience with the ATAS 120A, which was helpful to my needs. de K3WR.

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      I’m glad you liked the video. Thanks for visiting my channel. 73, Doug

    • @Nick_G7IZR
      @Nick_G7IZR Рік тому +1

      They are certainly great for the ease of use of multiple bands. The slight performance trade off over a dedicated antenna is well worth it.

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому +1

      @Nick S Yes indeed! And, in the direction of the right and rear, the ATAS-120A was consistently beating the ham stick, hence the removal of the ham stick.

    • @chiefvince4689
      @chiefvince4689 Рік тому +2

      I have super results using the ATAS 120A with the FT-891 on my offshore supply ship that I work on… It works great all around the US and gets the DX too on SSB 10-40m. Plus I do digital modes with it on my $60 Evolve computer no problem. At home I made a ground mount tripod setup for it that has sixteen 17’ radials and whip replacement adapter to put on a 17’ telescopic whip it. Seems to work pretty well so far (still playing with it)… going to use it for POTA starting next month. I travel with the radio packed in a Gigapart’s radio backpack/bag with everything in it, and the antenna and clamp mount packs in a six pack “tube” cooler strapped on the side.

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      Thanks for the great comment, ChefVince. That’s a nice setup that you have. 73, Doug

  • @vincepinyard8722
    @vincepinyard8722 Рік тому +1

    Then end of an ERA !!!!!

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      Yes, indeed, Vinnie! And it’s all because of you know who.

  • @richardchandler9027
    @richardchandler9027 3 місяці тому +1

    Great presentation and unlike some out there you talk slow enough I can actually follow. I know this is out of sequence as it was from the beginning be nice to you radio presentation. But why did you have the external 50 ATU and the ATS120. Maybe a different antenna? Anyway love your work and contribution to the lifestyle. No I did not say hobby, right.

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  3 місяці тому

      I don’t like that the ARRL calls it a hobby. It is a communications service. I posted some videos for my Patreon members to watch. It shows ham radio in action for the support and recovery efforts in North Carolina.
      The FC-50 is not in use for the ATAS-120A. You can’t use both at the same time.

  • @andrewb9276
    @andrewb9276 Рік тому +2

    Excellent video as usual. Suggestion: Get a UHF to 3/8 adapter, then you can use the mount for ham sticks. You can keep the tuner for when you have the ham stick mounted for say 80 or 60. I have my Atas mounted on the roof rack of my 2004 4Runner. I too have been very happy with the antenna. I did add a longer whip. Mine is just about 5 ft. long and works great. Not sure if the extra "wire in the air" help but it tunes and works just fine.
    73 de KF6LU a patreon member

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      Good idea Andrew. Diamond makes their version of a ham stick with a UHF connector. I think that is the route I will take. But, yes, that is a great option
      Thank you so much for being a long-hauler in support of the channel. Without you long-haulers, today’s videos would not exist.
      73, Doug

    • @andrewb9276
      @andrewb9276 Рік тому +1

      @@n4hnhradio just get the adapter, then you can use your present ham sticks. Only around $10 at the most.

  • @jameski5oeb668
    @jameski5oeb668 Рік тому

    Thank You!

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      You're welcome!

    • @jameski5oeb668
      @jameski5oeb668 Рік тому +1

      @@n4hnhradio I think I will mount my IC-706 like your FT-891. Looks handy!

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      I bought that mount 20 years ago at HRO. It has been in two vehicles. Very handy. I think I showed in one video a small mod I had to make to it.

  • @lawrencekb5zzb551
    @lawrencekb5zzb551 Рік тому +1

    Tell us about that black mat. Looks interesting thanks

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      Westhertech mats. For front and rear seats.

  • @boomerbits2297
    @boomerbits2297 Рік тому +1

    Y’all is fine When I worked for FEMA I spent one entire deployment teaching a co worker from Brooklyn how to speak South. Got her to understand the plural of Y’all is All Y’all! My XYL is from Conyers GA so I listen South!
    On another note, I just sold my 991a and bought am 891. Now if I can figure out how to mount an ATAS on my Chevy Bolt I can dump my Hustlers and my Wolfe River Coil and just keep an aTAS on the car This is my second 891. I used one in the summer of 2021 while we were in NC in our Travel Trailer. Worked great. So now we have the FTDX 10 for radio at home and the 891 for PoTA etc

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      That’s a winning combination of radios. Did you see my brother’s RV base station video? ua-cam.com/video/7tDSIURusS8/v-deo.html

  • @w8cptCptDon
    @w8cptCptDon Рік тому

    Am I the only one curious about that camper with no windows? Enjoying learning about the ATAS antenna but I really curious what you did to and use that camper for!! 72 de W8CPT

  • @DC6NS
    @DC6NS Місяць тому +1

    Thanks a lot for your videos! I have one question concerning the FC-50: it´s clear to me that it is not needed and can´t work at the same time as the ATAS. But is it possible to leave the wireing between FT-891 and FC-50 and connect the ATAS to the FC-50 antennaport, after doing the changes in menu? Will ATAS work under this condition?

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Місяць тому +1

      I haven’t tried that. The FC-50 can be set to bypass, but you will need to disable the FC-50 in the menu in order to enable the ATAS-120A control. Maybe the FC-50 will go to bypass and allow the control voltage/current to pass through to the ATAS-120A.

    • @DC6NS
      @DC6NS Місяць тому +1

      @@n4hnhradio Thanks for your very quick answering! In case I will purchase the Atas 120, I will test it and leave a note here.
      Very 73, Bernhard from Bavaria

  • @AE6Z
    @AE6Z Рік тому +1

    Great and thorough video, tnx! Still loving my 891/ATAS mobile setup. Curious if you have any interest in replacing with a longer whip. You could gain superior performance on 40m (but lose 6m) which may be preferred for your use case. 73 de AE6Z

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      I might be interested but I like being able to drive in my neighborhood without hitting the low-hanging power lines. One time it took out the front end of my FT-891. Thankfully, Yaesu fixed it under warranty. I would also be concerned about the extra wind load stress on the plastic sections. I haven’t measured the diameter of the stinger to even search for a longer one.

  • @wjess3569
    @wjess3569 Рік тому

    Great series. I'm strongly considering the ATAS.. But.. Tell me about that rubber cover on your tranny tunnel that the antenna switch is/was on.

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      The rubber cover was purchased at an auto parts store.

  • @rossen_nikov
    @rossen_nikov Рік тому +1

    Great! What would be the next step, add 991A to use the full potential of the ATAS? By the way, have you tried to use a longer active rod on ATAS to get to 60m? I did it once and it worked, but of course I lost the UHF/VHF part. 73 de LZ5RG

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      I haven’t tried the longer stinger rod. I might. Others have. I prefer a separate 2m/70cm radio and antenna. I routinely monitor 2m/70cm while working HF, and vice versa. I have an ICOM ID-880H for UHF/VHF.

  • @Michael-t4c
    @Michael-t4c 2 місяці тому +1

    Can you use the Atas with a regular magnet mount? I can't find any other way to mount it on a Honda CRV.

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  2 місяці тому

      The ATAS-120A requires a direct bond to the vehicle for best performance. The magnet mount only provides capacitive coupling. That’s why I had to use the FC-50 “antenna tuner” in order to achieve a SWR of under 2:1 with my 60 and 40m Ham Sticks. The ATAS-120A might tune 15, 12, and 10m with the magnetic mount. Possibly even 17m. I don’t know about 20m though. That’s why I ended up mounting the ATAS-120A to my front left fender, using a no-drill bracket, as shown in the ATAS-120A series. Some people use a Diamond K-400 lip mount. It can mount to a trunk lip or a hood. I know someone who has his mounted to his Jeep hood.

    • @DC6NS
      @DC6NS Місяць тому

      Get 1 or 2 Mat-50 from Diamond and put them on the roof of the car together with the mag mount. It will work fine!

  • @garytedlock7533
    @garytedlock7533 4 місяці тому +1

    I have an Atas120A on my Dodge Ram on the right rear corner, A Elmer told me went he takes his off and reinstall it ,he has to calibrate his Atas120A to get it to work right .So my question is, is he just messing with a new ham or is that true ?

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  4 місяці тому

      I remove mine every time I go through the car wash. Afterwards, I screw it back onto the mount and I operate as usual. I don’t need to recalibrate it. What I do is tune to 28.400Mhz before I unscrew the ATAS-120A, to make it short enough to fit across the back seat of my truck. I then screw the protective cap onto the mount. My Diamond K-400 mount came with a protective cap. I screw it on to ensure that no water gets into the SO-239 receptacle. So, after the car wash, I remove the protective cover, screw the ATAS-120A back on, and I start at 28.400MHz when I start using the radio.

    • @garytedlock7533
      @garytedlock7533 4 місяці тому +1

      That's what I do, but he said he had trouble working right after he took it off, I try all the time ,I don't or never hear anybody on , I thought maybe I need to do some bonding ,so the bed ,cab ,and the antenna mount is bonded to the frame ,and I still have alot static.

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  4 місяці тому

      @garytedlock7533 If the ATAS-120A tunes to a 1.5:1 or less SWR, your bonding is fine. If you have noise after that, you might be hearing power lines or natural noise. Natural noise can be S5-S7 on the 40m band, unless you use Intercept Point Optimization. I always use IPO on 40m, and usually on 20m. I use IPO on any band when the signal I’m listening to is fairly strong. Besides IPO, I might also roll the RF Gain back until I hear little to no noise between words. My UA-cam channel is full of videos where I teach how to manage noise. My Patreon site has a collection dedicated to combating power line noise.

    • @garytedlock7533
      @garytedlock7533 4 місяці тому +1

      Thanks I'll check it out

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  4 місяці тому +2

      Modern receivers are too sensitive for the lower frequencies. We have to tame that sensitivity. IPO and RF Gain help us do that.

  • @Hogdriver88
    @Hogdriver88 Рік тому +1

    Do you think the base of the antenna and the mount will hold up over time to the wind load?

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому +1

      I don’t really know. Others who have had the ATAS-120A for many years have reported great longevity. Thus far, the mount seems stable. It would probably be better if it was mounted behind the cab, for less wind load. But it is what it is.

  • @ginagriffin1400
    @ginagriffin1400 Рік тому +1

    What is the floor mount?

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      I don’t remember. I bought it at Ham Radio Outlet over 25 years ago. I just can’t remember the brand.

  • @kg5nub
    @kg5nub Рік тому +1

    I got my atas 120a in the same place except on a diamond k400 mount and its flawless, I run the ft857d right now, I however want the ft891

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      Like I showed in video #2, I bought the K-400C to get the cable/UHF connector and have a backup mount, in case this one didn’t work out.

    • @kg5nub
      @kg5nub Рік тому +1

      @@n4hnhradio its a sweet setup, I will be glad to when I get my truck outta the shop, hopefully next weekend it'll be on the road. The atas 120a is an amazing antenna

  • @Blackabeard
    @Blackabeard Рік тому

    How wide is the base of it? I am wanting to mount mine to my toolbox on my truck. But I am worried the lid will interfere with it.

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому +1

      I’m guessing 2 inches round at the base.

    • @Blackabeard
      @Blackabeard Рік тому

      3" across the base. Got it. Thanks a bunch.
      @@n4hnhradio

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      Not 3”. I meant to type 2”.

    • @Blackabeard
      @Blackabeard Рік тому +1

      Thank you for clarifying. I am using a Mirror mount on my tool box. So I was going to make some spacers if needed. But I think 2" will work well and clear the lid. Thanks again for the detailed videos.
      @@n4hnhradio

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Рік тому

      @Blackabeard You might want to double-check Yaesu’s specifications.

  • @mattyjulien
    @mattyjulien 3 місяці тому

    Do you need the fc50 to run the atas?

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  3 місяці тому

      No. You can’t use both at the same time.

  • @Project23D
    @Project23D Місяць тому

    tuning on 60m?

    • @n4hnhradio
      @n4hnhradio  Місяць тому

      I’m afraid 60m isn’t supported. 7.000MHz is the lowest operating frequency. Some have installed a longer stinger and claimed to tune 60m. But you lose 6m.

  • @petermajor4599
    @petermajor4599 Рік тому +1

    👋🍀👍👏