Yaesu ATAS, Poor Band Conditions, Still Banging Out Contacts

Ever Wonder How Well The Yaesu ATAS 120 Mobile Antenna Works? Don't Believe Everything You Hear. This Antenna Is Awesome! CHECK IT OUT!!
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[@HAMFunko4pdi]

Mike you might not believe me, but with that same setup, I did a POTA from Washington Oaks State Park in Florida here and made a contact with Australia. I faintly heard a VK call and told everyone else to stop and just the VK. I got him. It blew my mind how easy and well that antenna worked with my 891. Also I got warthog award because I did 6 parks in one day. On about a 35 miles loop from my house I could hit 6 parks. I kept telling everyone what I was doing. They followed me from park to park and it took about 2 hours total but I activated 6 parks one afternoon. All with the 891 and my Atas120. So easy and fast. I love that setup.

[@joekrepps]

What band and time got you VK? I’m 75/100 towards Mobile DXCC with my 891/ATAS-120A combo and I really struggle with anything west of California.

[@HAMFunko4pdi]

@@joekrepps I was on the Ocean side of the park. I believe it was 17m late afternoon here.

[@N4KRX]

Impressive contacts with the ATAS-120A! Also, very clever mobile setup using the coat hangers as speaker mounts. 73! 🎸🎵🎶

[@Scout75PortableRadio]

Way to put the doubters in their place, Mike! My ATAS has been a great antenna for me too. Also zero bonding, just us lip mount attached to the hood of my truck. Only thing I don’t like about mine is that I didn’t buy it way earlier.

[@kevinooten4600]

For sure. I'm so glad I bought mime 12 years ago. They were $300 then now there almost $400. The only thing I had to do was replace the plastic piece that goes from the fiberglass coil former to the threaded rod because I was being stupid and broke it. They were cheap enough that I bought a few extra just in case I have another bout of stupidity. Also the powder coating is wearing thin but ill redo that someday.

[@WayneDowning3382]

LOL - I hope nobody was disembowled during the filming of the video. Great video, like the PoLo app as well.

[@knotquiteawake]

Hey-o fellow Texan!. I just put the ATAS120 back in my Camry Hybrid after being off the air for a few years. It works so great. This antenna amazes me. Right off made contact with Puerto Rico, Hungary, Poland, Canada, and other parts of the US. The only “bonding” I have is via my hatch lip mount. The teeth that dig into the trunk make contact. I tested continuity from the antenna to the body in several places and it’s all there. It tunes 6-40 no issues. Right now I’m running off the car battery but because hybrid 12v battery is so much smaller than a normal car battery it’s m plannning to switch to a box like yours except it will charge via the car battery with a battery disconnect to stop when the car is off.

[@KevinWallis]

I use this antenna on a tripod to solve my HOA issues. Works great over Faraday cloth.

[@kevinooten4600]

I've made so many contacts on my 857d/ATAS120 setup mounted on the passenger side bed rail of 3 different trucks now. I've owned them both for 12 years and have had no complaints. Can you get better antennas? Yeah. You can also spend $600 on them too. It's easy and works very well.

[@cchalfantusa]

Would you be willing to share a photo of how you have this mounted to your bed rail? I’m looking for creative options for an F-150 with roll-up tonneau cover.

[@wushock92]

Loved the B-roll. Very artistic.

[@ralphnunn3]

So far, I love mine. I mount mine on a 3-magnet mag mount on top of the roof of my truck, along with the venerable FT-891. The last activation I did from Northern Utah, I got a 59 plus sig report from Southern Arizona. As Mike says 'I'll take that all day long!' And now that I own the FTdx-10 for the shack, it also tunes the ATAS-120a. When I'm not out on an activation, I mount it on my chain-link fence. I've worked into Japan from Utah on that setup. Yeah, they may be expensive, but you owe it to yourself to get one of these. For ease of use, and how well they work, you really can't beat it!

[@don_n5skt]

Thanks Mike. I run mine the way you run yours. Big geek connected to the 891 driving the ATAS. Makes for some easy activations.

[@hamradiotube]

Great minds think alike.

[@KG6NLWMotoRadio]

Great video Mike!!

[@goodfriend6428]

Wonderful! Thank you!

[@psychodadsn]

Heard 2 guys talking, one in Oklahoma talking about how the bands were trash. I threw my call sign out with a 1/3 watt on a 80m sky loop (was on 40m). They both heard me and couldn't believe it. Even if the bands are 'trash', someone will hear you and appreciate you are there. Great video, 73. N2SCD

[@GreggK6EGG]

I did a good test with it at in Los Angeles today with a K400 mount.. holly molly.... I punch through pile ups and made contacts just like I was on my base at home.. I can't wait to hit a park on the air with it.. Thanks for the videos on it.. You totally sold me on this antenna!

[@salebowsadventures293]

Technically your antenna is grounded, but regardless, I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews for the atas-120. My very first contact ever as a newly passed general license class ham was from Virginia Beach Virginia to San Diego California with a yaesu 100D and the older model ATA-100 before the 120. I was a solid 5’9 and so was he. They work and they work very well.

[@_N1PHR_]

WOW, great job again

[@dovetomarc]

Absolutely right Mike. I had a Little Tarheel. Decent but the downside was the clunky controls box and it didn’t perform any better than the ATAS. In fact the ATAS was just as good if not better. The LTH gave me 80m which I never used! The control box mounting hassle wasn’t worth it. If I want 80m I just screw on a Hamstick. I sold the Tarheel and went with the ATAS. No regrets.

[@dave-wk4t]

As a pickup driver, I went with Breedlove stake pocket mounts and mini Tarheel 2 for HF. VHF/UHF on the other side.

[@hamradiotube]

those are legit mounts

[@timsvids5983]

Me too. I have a tarheel 2 and an atas 120. I’ve switched back and forth many times. I’ll be giving the atas to my wife for her truck.

[@larrynathanson9892]

Bravo, Mike

[@ny4i]

I had an ATAS-100 way back when they first came out. It was hooked up to my FT100 in a Toyota Solara. I do not believe it is a question if will it work. Clearly it does and anyone that says it will not work is just ignorant. I had similar experience with mine in the past. I do have one question though. I just had the trunk lid bonded to the body. You have made videos in the past comparing antennas with WSPR. I'm not suggesting to do this but it would be interesting to see the ATAS compared with WSPR where you have bonding with just through the body versus bonding with some braid between the mount and the body. Just a thought that some of your past empirical antenna analysis comparing the two different ways to install the system might be interesting. It seems like that would put the question to bed once and for all. Thanks for the video and just getting out there and doing it. Always enjoyable to watch. 73.

[@ny4i]

Granted that is an activity better suited to the winter...too damn hot now.

[@gtretroworld]

Brilliant video and i get the message too Mike, thanks M3VWN

[@robertmeyer4744]

great setup ! Hot in NY. record heat wave. I do the same ,have LiFePO4 in car like your old one. but a 2010 . 267K miles now. runs great. I now have 200 watt solar on top of car . either 50 Ah ,100 Ah/ 200 Ah power queen. run a cooler as well. have DC to DC charger into lighter plug and turns on when car is running only. great on trips. we sold drumsticks out of back of car in the park on 95F day. kids loved us. my cooler also a freezer just set temp to 0. the upper bands down. hard to FT8 on 10/15/17 /12 /6 meters. 73's

[@barryzoll9772]

Nice job Mike. I’ve had an ATAS 100 for many years. Can’t beat it. What size battery are you using?

[@wdsracer]

Hi Mike, great video thank you. Just wondering what logging software you are using?

[@TheCyberRick]

Hey Mike, tnx fer another great video. I love my ATAS 120 / FT857d combination with a very simple mount. (Besides that: do you really think it’s a good idea to have the engine running all the time regarding the environment? When do an activation I sit outside on a chair or even on the ground outside the car)

[@jptrade8575]

I have used the ATAS 120 for years. Had three. One I destroyed on a tree limb ! Presently Im using one on my Tesla model Y . I as well have a battery in the rear lower storage compartment. Diamond lip mount on the rear trunk lid. I use it with a FTDX 710. No noise of any kind. Even when charging. The other I use at home on a ground plane . Not the best antenna on 40 meters but 20 to 70 cm it works great. I use it for local repeaters. I have known some people who use mag mounts. Not a good ideal. Think about it.

[@n8ibz1]

Me either on grounding and works great in my jeep wrangler with the 891

[@BryanTorok]

What do you mean you don't have a ground? You have about 4 or 5 thousand pounds of ground. You have a solid electrical connection to the body, engine, and drive train. What do they want you to do? Run a wire from the base of the antenna to a ground rod driven into the earth and maybe some radials and counterpoise?

[@coreysheckler4777]

Any advice on how to find a station so fast like you did for POTA? Awesome seeing you get one after another. Thanks and 73.

[@aceventuraaceventura2003]

ATAS120 is good when it works. But it has very high premature failure rate. If you haven't bought one yet, resist the temptation and go with Tarheel or Diamond screwdriver. You'll thank me later.

[@TheOldVeganDude]

FT-891 and ATAS-120 the champion of HF Mobile. Rag Chew's 40m through 6m (all bands including WARC) from the DARA Clubhouse Parking lot to the UP of Michigan. Flawless SSB Operations. Good to see you at Hamvention '24. 73 es gud POTA.

[@truckinguy92]

I had my ATAS on the trunk of my Subaru WRX and it was flaky at best. Not sure what the deal was. I’ve since smashed the ATAS into several pieces and ditched the 891 for the Little Tarheel II & an IC-7100. Couldn’t be happier! Being a KZbinr doesn’t hurt when it comes to making contacts, I’m sure.

[@hamradiotube]

You know back in the early days of POTA I think being a KZbinr helped but I don’t think it really matters anymore.

[@kyoshivp]

I did a POTA a couple of days ago. The first part I went to had no place to really set up. A rig like this would have been my only option. Ended up activating another park down the road instead.

[@DeLorean58]

I really want to get my screwdriver antenna set up. I need to find a controller for it though, it was a hand me down High Sierra antenna, which I dont think are even made anymore

[@ThomasHart59]

Can't argue with success! And nice clean install. Obviously it works for you, but do you have any bending issues on that mount at highway speeds? That ATAS has a bit of wind load. Also, I'm sure you have your reasons, but do you not plan to keep that vehicle? Or maybe there are some other reasons, but why not just drill a couple of holes in the roof? Seriously, embrace the HAM! 🙂 I've had my ATAS 120a for many years now, bought it as a package deal with my FT-857d back when that radio was new. It's been an excellent antenna. I have it mounted in the center of the roof (NMO mount with an SO-239 adapter) of my 90's Jeep Cherokee. (along with other NMO's for VHF and UHF etc). I'm always amazed when I read those reviews you speak of, I've never experienced anything but great results with this antenna.

[@rossmann6357]

I have the exact same setup except I have to use a Diamond K400 mount. I wish I could find a Comet right side bracket replacement. 73

[@chriscoel]

I love my ATAS.. How's the speker vs. running radio audio thru like an aux input? I run thru the aux input, but considering running like how you do it.

[@donausmus4281]

I run my ATAS on a Bioenno also. Much flatter power curve. My ATAS has made me very lazy. I love it so much I have 2. I did take the bonding to the extreme, however.

[@mikeramsey9747]

That noise is from your coil packs firing your spark plugs.

[@garrylandrito3083]

Mike where did you get the mount for the atas?

[@ke8wlw]

Nah my atas really doesnt care. As long as it has some ground, it works. About 1500 contacts including Australia, New Zealand, israel, and the fakland islands. 2 years on a truck and still going strong. Best investment ive made.

[@osculant]

I swear Bruce must live next to a radio! 73 K9MKE

[@kennethblackwell1137]

wow....that sure looks like fun with that well performing ATAS.

[@roc8534]

Will this antenna work on GMRS and on Ham work on both

[@stevenmackenzie59]

What is the app you are using on your phone?

[@ubergeek318]

Might wanna watch out on that antenna mount. People could get hurt

[@GraymanPOTA]

I think that NW9F guy is some sort of famous KZbin 🌮🌮🌮

[@hamradiotube]

Ha! Second contact too. You’re KZbin famous now!!!

[@robertallbright]

Thanks Mike I am wondering how well an Atas 120A would work on top of a triple mag mount In centre of car roof? 73 Rob G3RCE

[@jeffvanburen1167]

Would like to get a mount like this for my 2012 Jeep Liberty unable to get response from 2 suppliers of Comet any help would be appreciated

[@alsamson3419]

What model mount is this.

[@robertbobbitt8448]

I had one with an 891 radio was great antenna had poor performance I bonded the entire vehicle It was convenient just change bands and auto tune but just not enough on 40m great from 20 m down through 10m Works OK for what it is But a Hamstick works much better

[@jordanjohnson3370]

Didn’t you have a Tarheel before or was that just a demo?

[@hamradiotube]

Yep. Still have it. It sits in the corner of my shack and looks pretty.

[@ryank5tar]

I think it works, bruh.

[@davenewmyer3735]

So are gators protected there, or perhaps some grilling afterwards??? asking for a friend...

[@Jeff-sp7bg]

You eat that garbage meat? Yuck

[@N2NWK]

ATAS is only good enough if you are always stationary but if you run POTA mobile as I do often when doing FT8, that antenna wont last too long as I found out with my ATAS.

[@hamradiotube]

Meaning you're doing FT8 while driving?

[@claytonlaflamme1955]

Wish work with 705.

[@creolequeen6997]

I've done 99% of my activations with my ATAS 120a and FT857D

[@Mike_M_KI4MRC]

BUT your bald head IS natural beauty! LMAO BTW any idea how I get one of those for a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L? My ATAS just arrived last week.

[@jerryKB2GCG]

Wish how I could figure out getting it into my garage without taking the stinger iff

[@hamradiotube]

Check out the mount KG2MM uses on his car. Should solve your problem maybe?? kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4XaZq2iibCfepIsi=SDZE4V3-4QypCEgF

[@jerryKB2GCG]

@@hamradiotube Thanks, cool idea!

[@AD6DMDennis]

Compromised antennas shouldn't work well. You need a balun. Great b-roll by the way.

[@hamradiotube]

Haha!!

[@2EOGIY]

Does atas can be moded with 3/8 thread whip? i.e. mfj 17ft whip

[@hamradiotube]

Unfortunately not. It just has a tiny little slot for the thin whip to fit into that's secured with a couple of hex bolts. When I made the switch from the Little Tarheel II to the ATAS a couple years ago I was kinda bummed out about that, but after using it so many times and making so many contacts with it, I honesty don't care. I just worked Costa Rica and 3 POTA stations while I was driving to Field Day on Friday. At 85 Miles Per Hour!

[@charleyfarly3017]

I have a very difficult question. Can you tell me how to convince my wife to spend the money for an ft-891 and an atas-120? LOL

[@JonathanAdami]

Hmmm I'm on the icom team unfortunately. Cool antenna tho!

[@stevet7522]

For that price I'll stick with my ham sticks and ground spike for pota.

[@M0RMY]

Good antennas and work well - like a Tarheel if Fisher Price made one just for Yaesu radios. PS - I know you have a Tarheel also Mike!

[@hamradiotube]

That ATAS actually beat out my TarHeel in my very scientific head to head comparison.

[@Veedy]

Where's the baby seat in that exploder ? I need an ATAS ...

[@hamradiotube]

I need a baby mama first.

[@Veedy]

@@hamradiotube If you can find a low maintenance model. I'm in the same situation, except ive already done the baby thing. They are just hungry teens now. Eating up all my spare radio cash ! haha.

[@k3dhj]

That there VEEhicle gots Apple CarPlay?

[@hamradiotube]

When I plug my iPhone in it does.

[@Bill_KL7TC]

Horrible hearing antenna here in Alaska.

[@1OFGODSOWN]

I owned this POS antenna for several months along with the POS 857D and they are by leaps and bounds the WORST Excuse for an antenna or radio I have Ever owned or used.I replaced them with an ICOM 7000 and a Little Tarheel HP & the World came alive.Honestly you could not Give me Either of them if I am required to keep and use them.I refuse to use 💩for any antenna or Transceiver ever again when I know better.I have never had so many issues with any antenna and I have used everything from a Hamstick,Hustler,to an Original DK3 screwdriver,a Tarheel II, and now the Little Tarheel HP & no others had any issues? Same with HF mobiles.I have owned every version of the ICOM 706,several ICOM 7000’s and several Kenwood TS-50’s and I never had any issues with them but the 857D was worthless.The only dependable product I have found from Yaesu is their rotors which have been very reliable at a great price.I’m sticking with the ICOM 7000 and Little Tarheel HP so you have fun.🎙

[@karlmadsen3179]

Dumb

[@fiatlux6962]

Operator error can be a real thing good sir, sorry that you had issues but to call the equipment bad that works so well for so many others …it is pretty self evident

[@1OFGODSOWN]

@@fiatlux6962 Yes and the DK3 & TARHEEL II worked PERFECTLY On the same mount in the same location? I guess that makes you STUPID!😜😂🤣🤪