Yaesu ATAS-120A Part 3 (Be Kind to Your Transmitter)

I was gifted a Yaesu ATAS-120A by one of the members of the Patreon support team. Needless to say, I am very grateful. The members of the N4HNH Radio Patreon team are a cut above. Some have supported the channel for 2 years, making it possible for you to be watching this video today.
I have recommended the Active Tuning Antenna System but haven’t owned one. The feedback from those who have installed one for their mobile operation has been great. In look forward to getting one installed on my truck.
This video shows some additional tuning tips and tricks, including using the buttons on the hand microphone and the Function menu arrows.
Note: You will see the Yaesu FC-50 antenna matching unit in this video. It is not connected. I have used it with the ham stick antennas, as a touch-up tuner. The FC-50 isn’t necessary for the ATAS-120A. In fact, it isn’t possible to use both the ATAS-120A and the FC-50 at the same time because the menu in the FT-891 makes you choose one or the other.
I hope you enjoy this video and find it helpful. If you find my channel informative and entertaining, I hope you will consider joining my support group by clicking on: www.patreon.com/N4HNH There are 3 levels of support, including exclusive content. Patreon team members gain insight from our technical discussions and internal polls. They also have the opportunity to view certain videos before they are released for public viewing.
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73, de N4HNH

[@stevenkelley9002]

Just put in an ATAS-120A with an 891. Grounded the heck out of it to the chassis and very impressed by performance so far. Profile of the physical antenna is bigger than I thought, but not as bad as some beasts that one has to be stationary and "erect" off the back bumper or vehicle rooftop, so again...a little bigger than a hamstick, but performance and versatility are quite amazing. Let's see how it's going to handle a Wisconsin Winter when that time comes... Probably have to be very mindful of what snow and ice could do to this thing and maybe remove it in the extreme months. If its trying to move and it's frozen, I could see that not going particularly well.

[@n4hnhradio]

Diamond makes a screwdriver antenna that seems to be more robust, but it’s fatter and requires a separate control system to move it up and down. It does cover the 80m band too.

[@ke4est]

Love the catch phrase!

[@n4hnhradio]

Thanks Michael! Looking forward to seeing you and Luis tomorrow.

[@smiffykuk]

Great info here👍

[@n4hnhradio]

I’m glad you liked it. I’m really liking the ATAS-120A. 73, Doug

[@kb9jqu]

Interesting. I’m going to start doing this Doug.

[@n4hnhradio]

It is a safe way to go from one extreme to the other, but the FT-891 automatically lowers power output to 10W or less while tuning the ATAS-120A. Let’s see how many people read comments. I’ve had several people ask. If they read the comments, they might find the answer. 73, Doug

[@UpinkProduction]

I love it good

[@n4hnhradio]

It is a surprisingly great performer.

[@thuff3207]

Your question on if the ATAS lowered the power to tune the antenna is a good one. I do not use the ATAs antenna; instead, I use the Little Tarheel 2. To tune it, you use the controller puts the radio in CW and low power to tune. I would think the ATAS did the same because these antennas could arch as the coil moves at high power. When you hit the TNR button does it not show the transmitt power? Thank you for the video.

[@n4hnhradio]

I already shot a video about it. The Patreon team is viewing it now. It will be posted in February or maybe March. Yaesu did it right. The meter switches to SWR while tuning, no matter what you might have it set to for TX.

[@Nick_G7IZR]

It drops power right down when tuning in order to prevent issues with high SWR during the tune process.

[@n4hnhradio]

I think it might be one of the last Yaesu radios to do that. But I didn't take a chance with mine. I set HF Power to 10.

[@rward5169]

Are you using the fc50 along with the atas? I thought you only needed the atas or is the tuner just a fail safe?

[@n4hnhradio]

No. I guess I should have mentioned that in the video. So many have asked. The FC-50 is left over from my ham sticks. Check the video description for more details.

[@user-jk3sr6up9n]

Where did you get the mounts to connect the radio with the tuner? W4IOS

[@n4hnhradio]

Those brackets come with the FC-50. I no longer use the FC-50, but, in case something happens to the ATAS-120A, and I revert back to using ham sticks, I will have the FC-50 available to touch up the band edges.

[@ihatesmartphones]

Personally I go down to 5 watts then bring up the power and check the turning as I increase the power from 5. I do plan on getting this antenna

[@n4hnhradio]

You won’t need to do that. Wait until you see part 5.

[@ihatesmartphones]

@@n4hnhradio i like that. I definitely have to get this antenna now. At the moment I have to keep changing my power level when I use my auto tuner. I personally wouldn’t use the 316 coax just because it’s more of an attenuator.

[@n4hnhradio]

I’m using 6 feet off RG-316. It fits nicely and doesn’t get pinched when I close the hood. It’s not hurting my signal either. It’s only 6 feet long. I work DX from my truck regularly. During a 45-minute drive recently, I worked a station in Ukraine and another in Bulgaria, back to back. Yes, a ham operator was active from Ukraine. I use RG-316 with my QRP CW rig. I’ve worked Germany and Spain from North Georgia with 5W. You can see that setup in my SOTA playlist. For short runs, the RG-316 is not a problem. If you saw the comparisons between my ATAS-120A and my ham sticks, the ham sticks were connected with 18 feet of RG8X. The ham sticks are 7 feet tall and mounted top center of the truck. I thought there was no way that the ATAS-120A, mounted on the left front fender, would compete with the 7 ft. ham sticks atop the truck. Well, I guess you saw what happened in video number 4. But hey! If you can fit RG8X, go for it.

[@ihatesmartphones]

@@n4hnhradio Ukraine. Wow that's awesome. I have not used ham sticks. But I did recently get the buddistick pro. I wish I had just gotten the ATAS 120A . The buddistick does work well but sometimes I really just don't want to tune the antenna. Not that it's hard but it is time consuming. The 120A is a better option for portable HF setups. I am a member of ARES and I like the idea of being able to actively tune my antenna quickly on the fly. Thanks for the videos.

[@n4hnhradio]

A couple of my Patreon members do POTA activations from their truck, using a Yaesu FT-891 into a ATAS-120A. I have posted the HAMRS coverage map of a couple of those activations in videos. It’s amazing. One of them, at a park in South Dakota, worked stations all over the U.S., Europe, and even near the North Pole, all during one activation.

[@scotterdog1036]

I received my Atas-120a yesterday and staged it in my shack on my DX10. The Atas indicator is on, tune starts but the antenna doesn’t hunt. No movement, no motor sound. Like there’s no power.

[@n4hnhradio]

Were you trying to use the TNR button, or the Function menu arrows, like I showed in Part 1? The antenna has to be mounted to the vehicle with a good bond to the vehicle frame (aka ground), for counterpoise, in order to use the autotune (TNR) button. If you are using with the radial kit, for portable ops, the radial kit serves as the counterpoise.

[@mikeerstad3705]

I like the footprint of the ATAS antenna and am wondering if it's worth the money....I own a SGC 9' HF whip which requires a tuner approximately 18" or closer to the antenna to connect to it....but it's a big antenna to have on your vehicle...

[@n4hnhradio]

Just wait until you see Part 4. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

[@matthewnett]

I have had this radio and antenna setup in three different vehicles. First one was on the trunk lip of a Saturn Ion, then the back hatch Ford Escape (the box shaped one from the 2010s, and a 02 Chevy Trailblazer hood mounted. Great performance. Talked all over the USA EU Italy and South America all from Wisconsin. Its a great antenna but if the grounding on your car isnt great then swr will be high and it wont be able to autotune. Make sure to run a braid of wire from the antenna to the frame or main body of your vehicle.

[@kengerace]

Good advice but I thought using the ATAS system it drops the transmitter to 5w and cw while tuning.

[@n4hnhradio]

It might. I haven't put a wattmeter on it. It should be 5 to 10W, but not all Yaesu radios do that with external tuners. With their internal tuner they will. The FTdx10 does. I would think the ATAS counts as an "internal" tuner. I just didn't take a chance with mine and I lowered it to 10W. Some autotuners require 20W to provide a more accurate tune cycle. I am sure the FT-891 can do it with 10W.

[@user-jk3sr6up9n]

Yaesu states in their advance manual it will reduce power to 10 watts CW.

[@n4hnhradio]

Yes, I showed that in Part 5 of my ATAS-120A series. There is no worry about tuning.

[@TingILi]

Hi Doug, Is it worth buying one for collection? I did have ATAs-100 but sell at least 15 years ago.

[@n4hnhradio]

I’m pleased with this one thus far. It’s directional, because it isn’t mounted top center of the truck. But if I mount it top center, it won’t survive the low hanging trees around here. It’s rivaling the ham stick prrformance toward the right side and beating it toward the rear.

[@the1mrclean74]

Hi Doug!! I'm curious if you have reached out to your contacts at Yaesu regarding the potential dangers to your finals you mention in this video? I would like to think that Yaesu would have addressed this potential in the R&D stages...or at least one would hope....what are your thoughts?? @N4HNH

[@n4hnhradio]

I haven’t. There is no need. You will see the answer in an upcoming video. The Patreon team has already seen it.

[@dancosminmarza2974]

hi yah working the world wit the a tas120a on sota from a wery hy point and about 18 radials mounted 380 degrees with tent hooks on the ends and ground stake 4 the antenna raizing it about 40cm of ground and a good coax not rg58 or rg 174

[@n4hnhradio]

I would possibly do that of it was a drive-up summit. I know the ATAS-120A is capable. But for hiking, I prefer to carry a 7 ounce QRP radio and portable EFHW.

[@MichaelSmith-jv7cx]

How dose the antenna perform on 2 meters? I can not find anything about that. I like the fact of only having one antennae.

[@n4hnhradio]

I haven’t tried it on 2m or 70cm. I use the Diamond NR770 for 2m/70cm. I prefer a separate 2m/70cm radio and antenna. But, if you have something like a Yaesu FT-857D, you can use a duplexer and have an all-in-one setup. I like to be able to monitor VHF/UHF while working HF, so I prefer two separate radios. I have read reports that it works fine for 2m/70cm, but I can’t confirm that. There is a radial kit that allows you to use it as a base station antenna for 2m/70cm. Many of the complaints you read about the ATAS-120A are related to counterpoise, which is often referred to as grounding. Counterpoise is a more proper term. When you purchase a HF mobile antenna, you are only buying the radiator portion of the antenna. Your vehicle must act as the counterpoise. So good bonding to the vehicle is a necessity.

[@dwaynefradd85]

I use my ATAS-120A with a Yaesu 857D and have no problems on 2m/70cm.

[@MichaelSmith-jv7cx]

Thanks for the input. I have not found anything comparing the performance, or working 2 meters. I don’t want 3 Antennas on my vehicle. I will use it on 2 meters most of the time, but HF would be a nice option.

[@robertvarner9519]

Can that antenna be mounted on a tripod for field use?

[@n4hnhradio]

Scott answered you. Yaesu also sells a radial kit made for the ATAS-120A. The ATAS-120A is only half the antenna. We have to supply the other half, with our vehicle or a radial kit.

[@dkk4751]

Do we know for sure the power drops to 5 w while ATAS120 is tuning? TIA

[@n4hnhradio]

It lowers the power but not to 5W. I cover it in a future video that the Patreon team is previewing right now.

[@jeffwolkovephotography5306]

Does FT-991A have that manual adjustment?

[@n4hnhradio]

I think the FT-991 only allows the microphone up and down buttons to move up and down, but you must hold the PTT while pressing the up or down buttons. I don’t think it has a Function menu option like the FT-891.

[@jeffwolkovephotography5306]

@N4HNH Radio Yeah I haven't found that option on the menus. However, sometimes when you press the tune button, the light flashes for a while before the transmitter comes on. I wonder if knows the band has changed and it's moving the antenna up or down accordingly before tuning. Can't tell, because it's outside the trailer out of view.

[@n4hnhradio]

It might be yet the FT-991 is smarter.

[@zxeng6064]

New 891 radios will mute completely when you try this procedure so you cant get any indication from the static

[@n4hnhradio]

It’s okay. Wait till you get to video #5. I can’t cover it all in one video. People don’t like videos that are much longer that 15-20 minutes.

[@jordanclarke2996]

Did you ever find a solution to this? I watched PT5 Just now.

[@n4hnhradio]

Yes, just use the TNR button and let the FT-891 manage the tuning. That is what part five shows. The FT-891 lowers the TX power to protect itself, while it adjusts the antenna. There is no need to use the noise receive method. Just press the TNR and let the ATAS-120A adjust itself.

[@jordanclarke2996]

Got it thanks for the reply, I found on 40m my speedometer moves when I talk. I guess I have to work on coax routing and possibly grounding. Thanks again 73! @@n4hnhradio

[@n4hnhradio]

Are you sure your receiver mutes when you use the Up/Down arrows in the menu? Not the Up/Down arrows on the mic. Those only adjust the ATAS-120A while you transmit. I’m referring to the Up/Down arrows in the Function menu, as shown in this video. I have two FT-891 transceivers and they both receive while I adjust with the Up/Down arrows in the Function menu.

[@stinger1900]

I don’t think this works on the 857

[@n4hnhradio]

I don’t know if the 857 has the Up/Down arrow menu.

[@dwaynefradd85]

I have the Yaesu 857D and it works great with it, I have the up/down buttons on the mike set to raise/lower the antenna.