I wrote to Yaesu today and they replied with the following answer "The ATAS-120 can be used in a fixed base usage situation for 40 meters through 70 centimeters. You will need the add-on base kit (ATBK-100) for 6 meters and up and you will also need to make sure that you have a good RF ground.'
I love that your neighbors are nice enough to let you use their trees. Pretty cool. Wish there were trees that tall out here in west Texas. Requires masts out this way.
The ATAS-120A can be used with other non Yaesu rigs if you have the MFJ-1825 ATAS Controller. It it is essentially a bias T that feeds the correct dc voltage on he coax to the ATAS to drive it up and down.
Mike, The ATAS-120A, 120 and 100 can be used with non-Yaesu transceivers IF you interface it with a MFJ-1925 Bias T ATAS Controller. As with any feed line using a bias t caution has to be taken when using a balun choke for common mode currents. Car must be taken to assure that there is no DC short to ground otherwise the bias T could be damaged. Ferrite beads are a better choice for common mode current suppression. 73’s. Dan K1YPB - Licensed since 1962.
Yeasu model number ATBK-100 is the ground plane radial kit. And MFJ makes a controller to use with the ATAS-120A and other manufacturers radios. It is model number MFJ-1925.
The ARRL EFHW kit was my first antenna. I used it for POTA several times, It has held up well so far. and I enjoyed building it. At the time it was the only EFHW I could find in stock.
As for remote SAR or fairly remote but set comms I use a WILL BERT pneumatic mast. It’s only about 35 feet but as set up in the vehicle it’s relatively easy to deploy and drop. It’s not designed for portable field work but as a mobile command setup. We can also attach a set of military fiberglass masts to it to increase the height for various long wire deployments with a homemade adapter. As for my total man portable ops I still use one of the original carbon fiber masts built by Walter Spieth, DK9SQ, that I bought at Dayton many years ago. Still going strong but built like a tank.
Attaching masts to RV's or caravans (UK). Have you tried using the suction lift gadgets, like used for lifting glass panels? Attach to the side of the RV body, tie wrap or use cord to tie the mast to it and hey presto.
Mike, jackite is also a great place for fiberglass telescopic poles. I have one of their 20' poles. 0 issues and very sturdy. Plus I just checked their site and they have ones in stock.
Yes..I'm late to the party. But when it comes to telescoping masts...I have a 4-element 2-meter/2-element 6-meter quad on top of a 34-foot "Max-Gain Systems" push-up mast. I've bought 2 different mast setups from them. If you need something with a bit more "beef," than the DX Commander or Spiderbeam offerings, they're a good way to go. But I came for the ATAS info. So back to the video. 🙂
I've had the best luck with my EFHWs up in the air just like Mike's. Parallel to the ground and as high as you can get it. I've also had really good results using it like a vertical, again with the feed point a few meters off the ground. I personally haven't had much luck with other configurations that have the feed point on the ground. I'm just guessing that the ground is acting like a signal sponge. A sloper or vertical that starts at the ground works really well on receive though. Good questions, thanks for sharing good answers.
Now, I put the End Fed OCF antenna (55 feet) in my attic of townhouse and it shape looks like the number "9". This antenna has a UNUN 4:1. What do you think there needs to do for lower a noise level. The coax length is 66 feet. My Yaesu FT-991a has inside tuner. I tried to work with ATAS-120A and I am not happy. Thanks for advise. "73".
I read someplace that some type of metal roofs especially the shingle type don’t make very good antenna ground planes because the roof shingles are not electrically bounded to each other!
@@hamradiotube It is relatively omnidirectional on 3.5 and 7, and progressively more directional on 14, 17, 15, 12 and 10. At least, that's what my WSPR shows. Oh, and I learned WSPR from you!
I have the 40' / 12 meter Spiderbeam mast and it's built really solid. I typically zip tie a 2/70 roll up J pole at the top with RG8X coax, and then I zip tie an LDG 1:1 current balun at about 34' & run a linked inverted V for 40, 30 and 20 meters... can do 80 with extensions. The Inverted V uses RG8X coax as well, and as long as I zip tie the coax every couple of sections in the upper half of the mast, it works very well. There is a Winlink gateway KD7UHR that uses a DX Commander Classic, and when I am able to connect to it, that gateway works great with that antenna. 73 KD5YOU
The EFHW uses the coax feedline as part of the radiator. It would seem optimal to raise the balun/feedpoint up on the top of a 33 ft mast, with a common mode choke 33 ft away (i.e. at the base of the mast).
Indeed it does. You'd be surprised by the multitude of ways the EFHW can be deployed while remaining very efficient. I typically run a sloper with the feed point low to the ground, but I have one that recommends from the manufacturer to put the feed point up high. In practice, I've not seen any real difference in the way they are deployed.
Sure would be nice to have a definitive answer on that. Same with the choke point. We have multiple antenna makers all stating different “correct” deployments b
I have a friend here in AZ that uses the ATAS for his base station antenna. He lives in a mobile home that has aluminum awnings on both sides. Makes for a HUGE ground plane. It is approx 10' above his roof line. He works the world on it. Is it the best antenna in the world ? For his particular situation it is.
That's great to hear that someone is actually doing that. I'm really wanting to get the ATAS on the air with some military masts now. Just for the heck of it.
Really? That’s good to hear. I actually have a 12 meter DXC but it was shipped to a friends house as she bought one too. I still need to go pick it up.
First thanks for second follow up email on the ATAS and TarHeel. I like this video about the roof mount ARAS idea! I know a guy that it would be a good deal if it would work ( I believe your right on it working on the metal roof). 73/Blessings NM5SP
Atas control information is plentiful but on a high level, apply 12v in one polarity or the opposite to raise or lower it. Be sure to look up details before attempting
The secret is 12 volts and 8 volts. DO NOT USE REVERSE POLARITY!!! You will damage the antennas control board within the antenna. One voltage will raise the antenna while the other will lower it. Remember this antenna was designed for use in vehicles and the Yaesu radios as well which are ALL negative ground. You can also damage your radio by trying the reverse voltage trick. Voltages are fed up through the feed line. RF is capacitivly coupled to the antenna while the RF is decoupled through the use of a choke coil for the DC component. A quick and easy fix is to buy the MFJ adapter for this antenna. It will also work on the older ATAS100.
Hi Mike, Another great video! I watched your first video on the Yaesu ATAS Screwdriver antenna and was convinced to try one on my F150 truck. You might already know that it has an aluminum body and grounding etc is challenging! Anyway, I installed it over the weekend and it works great. 5/9 contacts on 10m and 20m to Ohio/Florida/New York and even Madeira. You were absolutely correct, it's easy to install, tune and use with my little FT-891. Is there anything similar made for Icom radios do you know?? Keep the videos coming! 73' - Keith V31ZA
The MFJ-1925 is an external controller for using the ATAS-120A with other manufacturers radios. However, I would recommend the Little Tarheel for use on other non Yeasu radios. It will do 80 meters where the ATAS only goes down to 40 meters. If you have to use a controller, that defeats the whole point of the ATAS and the Little Tarheel is a better built antenna.
Hi Mike, I’m using the EFHW Antenna in an inverted L configuration with the feed point about 8 feet off the ground, it seems to work well. I’m curious, do you experience any noise being so close to that pole Transformer? 73 Alex M0KVA
HA! Noise is an understatement. I've had the power company out here a few times doing some RFI hunting and changing out an insulator. They fixed it for a while until they ran some more wire out here and totally broke everything again. Good thing I'm mostly a portable operator. Fortunately FT8 gets passed the noise so I can still play radio at home.
Hi. Found your channel searching atas 120 vids. I have a r/angle pole bracket with mine mounted on connected to a 6m scaffold pole for height which is connected to a concrete fence post, in the uk our back yard’s aren’t that big, Mine is 5x7m and paved. What do you recommend I use/do for radials , and how would you put them?
This may not be seen in the comment section. Hope on one of the live streams ether here or one of the others and ask them there. They will get you fixed up.
How well weatherproof the Atas 120A is ? I am thinking also to install at home for a temp period of time while being on vacation (I won't be taking my own car that's why ).
Mike, If you hoist the ATAS up a fiberglass pole I would not expect it to work well. It is designed to be used on a metal car body as its ground plane. The coax feed line is not the same as the metal car body. If one attached it to the edge of a metal roof, then it would work as well as on a car but hoisting it up the pole without any ground plane I would expect problems.
I shouldn’t have to join an io group in order to buy an antenna so I’m still on the hunt for something. I reached out to them and they’re talk no stock till after the 1st of the new year.
Oh don't be such a curmudgeon. It's a small company. He's incredibly interactive with his customer base and that is honestly about the best way you could go about doing what he is doing. Do what you want, but I'll tell you, the good ones are worth waiting for. Why do you think they're sold out????
@@hamradiotube I certainly won’t disagree about it being a good antenna, at least from all of the reviews and videos I’ve watched on it. It just sucks to have to wait so long to get one.
The ATAS120 is garbage It is nice to change bands without having to stop and change antennas and it receives well but you would be better off transmitting on a dummy load
MFJ (and other brand) make an adapter, I use an atas120 with Icom 706mk2G in my wrangler, not fast as my old trusty little tarhell but good enought to make contact from Italy to the world on all band. PS: external swrmeter need cause that inside icom arent so good 73 de IZ3QVB
I wrote to Yaesu today and they replied with the following answer "The ATAS-120 can be used in a fixed base usage situation for 40 meters through 70 centimeters. You will need the add-on base kit (ATBK-100) for 6 meters and up and you will also need to make sure that you have a good RF ground.'
Oh very cool, that is quite helpful. Thanks for doing the research.
What would be a good rf ground on a roof like here? So the atbk-100 would not be enough?
I love that your neighbors are nice enough to let you use their trees. Pretty cool. Wish there were trees that tall out here in west Texas. Requires masts out this way.
The ATAS-120A can be used with other non Yaesu rigs if you have the MFJ-1825 ATAS Controller. It it is essentially a bias T that feeds the correct dc voltage on he coax to the ATAS to drive it up and down.
Mike, The ATAS-120A, 120 and 100 can be used with non-Yaesu transceivers IF you interface it with a MFJ-1925 Bias T ATAS Controller. As with any feed line using a bias t caution has to be taken when using a balun choke for common mode currents. Car must be taken to assure that there is no DC short to ground otherwise the bias T could be damaged. Ferrite beads are a better choice for common mode current suppression. 73’s. Dan K1YPB - Licensed since 1962.
Yeasu model number ATBK-100 is the ground plane radial kit. And MFJ makes a controller to use with the ATAS-120A and other manufacturers radios. It is model number MFJ-1925.
Well there you go. Thanks so much for the info.
The ARRL EFHW kit was my first antenna. I used it for POTA several times, It has held up well so far. and I enjoyed building it. At the time it was the only EFHW I could find in stock.
As for remote SAR or fairly remote but set comms I use a WILL BERT pneumatic mast. It’s only about 35 feet but as set up in the vehicle it’s relatively easy to deploy and drop. It’s not designed for portable field work but as a mobile command setup. We can also attach a set of military fiberglass masts to it to increase the height for various long wire deployments with a homemade adapter.
As for my total man portable ops I still use one of the original carbon fiber masts built by Walter Spieth, DK9SQ, that I bought at Dayton many years ago. Still going strong but built like a tank.
Any info about EFHW antennas makes me happy. Always. Great video!
Thanks so much for watching.
Attaching masts to RV's or caravans (UK). Have you tried using the suction lift gadgets, like used for lifting glass panels? Attach to the side of the RV body, tie wrap or use cord to tie the mast to it and hey presto.
Gary, try the "flag pole buddy" mounts for the ladder of your RV, or the suction cup mounts that they have. That is what I use.
Mike, jackite is also a great place for fiberglass telescopic poles. I have one of their 20' poles. 0 issues and very sturdy. Plus I just checked their site and they have ones in stock.
Yes..I'm late to the party. But when it comes to telescoping masts...I have a 4-element 2-meter/2-element 6-meter quad on top of a 34-foot "Max-Gain Systems" push-up mast. I've bought 2 different mast setups from them. If you need something with a bit more "beef," than the DX Commander or Spiderbeam offerings, they're a good way to go.
But I came for the ATAS info. So back to the video. 🙂
I've had the best luck with my EFHWs up in the air just like Mike's. Parallel to the ground and as high as you can get it. I've also had really good results using it like a vertical, again with the feed point a few meters off the ground.
I personally haven't had much luck with other configurations that have the feed point on the ground. I'm just guessing that the ground is acting like a signal sponge. A sloper or vertical that starts at the ground works really well on receive though.
Good questions, thanks for sharing good answers.
Always good information Mike
Thank you very much
Outstanding, that what I have, it will work for me on my Ft891. Thanks
Thanks!
Hey thanks so much for the tip!! Glad you are enjoying all our channels and more importantly, this disease, er, hobby we call radio!
I have one on a tripod and got their radial kit for the Atas and it works well
Where are you using it? And have you grounded it?
@@normd8800 I use it portable and that the tripod grounded
LIKE , You are fun.
Words are not my first language lol!
Hi Mike, I found MFJ 1925, I think that is the control box for atas 120 for use with other radios. Thanks for your channel. 73’s. KP3L.
Ah, yes. Thank you.
"... passed with flying carpets." Har har, gave me a good laugh.
Ah you caught that.
EFHW, great results on Saturday during the CQWW, with it being an Inv L. Swapped out to a random on a 9:1 though and found that even better. 2E0IGD
Interesting. Was the 9:1 just quieter so you could hear more stations? EFHW's are a bit noisy.
@@hamradiotube I started seeing spikes of high SWR, so replaxed it. I am lucky with noise floor with no amps used on any bands at most times.
I used to use a ATAS 120A on the roof of my patio with a window screen counter poise. Worked well till the HOA told me it had to come down.
I've used my ATAS 100 on a tripod with a mount I modified. Works fine but not as effective as a longer wire antenna
Now, I put the End Fed OCF antenna (55 feet) in my attic of townhouse and it shape looks like the number "9". This antenna has a UNUN 4:1. What do you think there needs to do for lower a noise level. The coax length is 66 feet. My Yaesu FT-991a has inside tuner. I tried to work with ATAS-120A and I am not happy. Thanks for advise. "73".
Good stuff as always!
Appreciate that
I read someplace that some type of metal roofs especially the shingle type don’t make very good antenna ground planes because the roof shingles are not electrically bounded to each other!
That would be a good thing to consider before connecting an antenna to it for sure! Or just start soldering all the shingles together 🤣
I have an EMCOMM III from Chameleon. I have the feed point at 40 feet sloping down to 20 feet. I like that approach for an EFHW.
You're the first to comment with that configuration. Thanks for sharing.
@@hamradiotube It is relatively omnidirectional on 3.5 and 7, and progressively more directional on 14, 17, 15, 12 and 10. At least, that's what my WSPR shows. Oh, and I learned WSPR from you!
I have the 40' / 12 meter Spiderbeam mast and it's built really solid. I typically zip tie a 2/70 roll up J pole at the top with RG8X coax, and then I zip tie an LDG 1:1 current balun at about 34' & run a linked inverted V for 40, 30 and 20 meters... can do 80 with extensions. The Inverted V uses RG8X coax as well, and as long as I zip tie the coax every couple of sections in the upper half of the mast, it works very well. There is a Winlink gateway KD7UHR that uses a DX Commander Classic, and when I am able to connect to it, that gateway works great with that antenna. 73 KD5YOU
That's a heck of a setup! I like it.
@@hamradiotube Thanks! I just noticed that Spiderbeam has their 40' masts in stock again. \o/
Jackite for a mast. I have two and they are great and a lot cheaper then the dxcommander and others. Always in stock.
The EFHW uses the coax feedline as part of the radiator. It would seem optimal to raise the balun/feedpoint up on the top of a 33 ft mast, with a common mode choke 33 ft away (i.e. at the base of the mast).
Indeed it does. You'd be surprised by the multitude of ways the EFHW can be deployed while remaining very efficient. I typically run a sloper with the feed point low to the ground, but I have one that recommends from the manufacturer to put the feed point up high. In practice, I've not seen any real difference in the way they are deployed.
Sure would be nice to have a definitive answer on that. Same with the choke point. We have multiple antenna makers all stating different “correct” deployments b
I have a friend here in AZ that uses the ATAS for his base station antenna. He lives in a mobile home that has aluminum awnings on both sides. Makes for a HUGE ground plane. It is approx 10' above his roof line. He works the world on it. Is it the best antenna in the world ? For his particular situation it is.
That's great to hear that someone is actually doing that. I'm really wanting to get the ATAS on the air with some military masts now. Just for the heck of it.
I have both the 12m Spiderbeam and a 12m DX Commander and both are great but I have to say the 12m DX Commander does seem to be slightly better.
Really? That’s good to hear. I actually have a 12 meter DXC but it was shipped to a friends house as she bought one too. I still need to go pick it up.
I love Mailbag Monday!!! Keep it going Mike!!!
Ammed, you sound like a very smart person. Thanks so much for your continued support. It does not go unnoticed.
@@hamradiotube I’m only smart on Monday’s while watching Mailbag Monday!!!🤣
@@Ammed_KN6STX Nah, that's just something a smart person would say.
@@hamradiotube Mike, your ALRIGHT!!! 73 Brother!🤘🏻
Kool antenna commentary...!!
Thank you
First thanks for second follow up email on the ATAS and TarHeel. I like this video about the roof mount ARAS idea! I know a guy that it would be a good deal if it would work ( I believe your right on it working on the metal roof). 73/Blessings NM5SP
Atas control information is plentiful but on a high level, apply 12v in one polarity or the opposite to raise or lower it. Be sure to look up details before attempting
The secret is 12 volts and 8 volts. DO NOT USE REVERSE POLARITY!!! You will damage the antennas control board within the antenna. One voltage will raise the antenna while the other will lower it. Remember this antenna was designed for use in vehicles and the Yaesu radios as well which are ALL negative ground. You can also damage your radio by trying the reverse voltage trick. Voltages are fed up through the feed line. RF is capacitivly coupled to the antenna while the RF is decoupled through the use of a choke coil for the DC component. A quick and easy fix is to buy the MFJ adapter for this antenna. It will also work on the older ATAS100.
I have the Spider beam and they are affordable, great product.
The ATAS-120 is a great antenna for minimalists and peppers as well!
Hi Mike, Another great video!
I watched your first video on the Yaesu ATAS Screwdriver antenna and was convinced to try one on my F150 truck. You might already know that it has an aluminum body and grounding etc is challenging! Anyway, I installed it over the weekend and it works great. 5/9 contacts on 10m and 20m to Ohio/Florida/New York and even Madeira. You were absolutely correct, it's easy to install, tune and use with my little FT-891. Is there anything similar made for Icom radios do you know??
Keep the videos coming!
73' - Keith V31ZA
The MFJ-1925 is an external controller for using the ATAS-120A with other manufacturers radios. However, I would recommend the Little Tarheel for use on other non Yeasu radios. It will do 80 meters where the ATAS only goes down to 40 meters. If you have to use a controller, that defeats the whole point of the ATAS and the Little Tarheel is a better built antenna.
That is awesome to hear! Thanks for sharing your success. It's great for others to see these kinds of responses.
Hi Mike, I’m using the EFHW Antenna in an inverted L configuration with the feed point about 8 feet off the ground, it seems to work well. I’m curious, do you experience any noise being so close to that pole Transformer? 73 Alex M0KVA
HA! Noise is an understatement. I've had the power company out here a few times doing some RFI hunting and changing out an insulator. They fixed it for a while until they ran some more wire out here and totally broke everything again. Good thing I'm mostly a portable operator. Fortunately FT8 gets passed the noise so I can still play radio at home.
Hi. Found your channel searching atas 120 vids. I have a r/angle pole bracket with mine mounted on connected to a 6m scaffold pole for height which is connected to a concrete fence post, in the uk our back yard’s aren’t that big, Mine is 5x7m and paved. What do you recommend I use/do for radials , and how would you put them?
This may not be seen in the comment section. Hope on one of the live streams ether here or one of the others and ask them there. They will get you fixed up.
Eagle one antenna is what I use on my RV
How well weatherproof the Atas 120A is ? I am thinking also to install at home for a temp period of time while being on vacation (I won't be taking my own car that's why ).
It's been on my car in the mountains of NC for years...no problem
Good one 🤘🤌
Thanks buddy
I'm.inna apartment with a metal roof cpuld I get that big three magnet and connect to the atas and use the roof as a ground plane
I need a vertical antenna. My ftdx10 has atas mode. I have a metal roof... my wife is not going to be happy about this.
What are you talking about? I was there when you bought the house haha!
@@hamradiotube if that doesn't work I'll just tell her that she is just seeing things.
@@stevet7522 Lol that'll get you a first class ticket to the couch I'd bet. Not married, but I can imagine 😆
@@hamradiotube if I get kicked to the couch I'll just sleep in the basement...where my radio is.
@@stevet7522 Oh, problem solved! Like getting sent to your room when you were a kid for being bad. That's where all your stuff is!!
Will that bulk head connector be strong enough?
I don't see why it wouldn't, as long as its a quality part. not a typical Chinese part
Mike,
If you hoist the ATAS up a fiberglass pole I would not expect it to work well. It is designed to be used on a metal car body as its ground plane. The coax feed line is not the same as the metal car body. If one attached it to the edge of a metal roof, then it would work as well as on a car but hoisting it up the pole without any ground plane I would expect problems.
I shouldn’t have to join an io group in order to buy an antenna so I’m still on the hunt for something. I reached out to them and they’re talk no stock till after the 1st of the new year.
Oh don't be such a curmudgeon. It's a small company. He's incredibly interactive with his customer base and that is honestly about the best way you could go about doing what he is doing. Do what you want, but I'll tell you, the good ones are worth waiting for. Why do you think they're sold out????
@@hamradiotube I certainly won’t disagree about it being a good antenna, at least from all of the reviews and videos I’ve watched on it. It just sucks to have to wait so long to get one.
Hey 👋
👍👍
👍🏻
You like dags?
Ah you caught that huh?
@@hamradiotube yeah, I like dags. I like caravans more.
The ATAS120 is garbage It is nice to change bands without having to stop and change antennas and it receives well but you would be better off transmitting on a dummy load
Oh really?! You should tell that to all the people I’ve worked on that antenna. Works great.
Id sure like to know why it's garbage.
Have worked the world on mine mobile for years.. works great
MFJ (and other brand) make an adapter, I use an atas120 with Icom 706mk2G in my wrangler, not fast as my old trusty little tarhell but good enought to make contact from Italy to the world on all band. PS: external swrmeter need cause that inside icom arent so good 73 de IZ3QVB
I have a ITAS Antenna on my roof! Never made a contact with it! lol You can get Biodegradable stakes from Callum or DXE!
Seriously??
@@hamradiotube Ya " I tossed" some wire over my roof one time and it didnt tune on any ham band.
Thank you. N0QFT