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Another Ham Radio Question

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by CobraDane, Oct 23, 2013.

  1. Oct 23, 2013 #1
    CobraDane

    CobraDane Light Load Member

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    Jun 28, 2012
    Weatherford, TX
    0
    OK, I posted on here before and got quite a few good pieces of advice. I have a 6-meter (don't ask me why) and a 2-meter on the truck with just standard whip antennas trimmed to the center of the bands, but I want to upgrade. I want to get rid of it all and put in a Yaesu FT-857 with an ATAS 120. For those of you who don't know what these are, see the links below. Anyone on here use a similar set-up? How well does the ATAS 120 work for you? How do you have it mounted? Do they make a mirror mount for it? I am assuming all it needs is an SO-239 right? Thanks

    Yaesu FT-857 link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...N=B004TB9JUI&linkCode=as2&tag=lifofamodtru-20

    Yaesu ATAS-120 link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...N=B004UM9UL4&linkCode=as2&tag=lifofamodtru-20
     
    CobraDane, Oct 23, 2013
    CobraDane, Oct 23, 2013
    #1
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  3. Oct 24, 2013 #2
    MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

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    Sep 11, 2012
    Somewhere I'd rather not be...
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    To quote K0BG, the mobile antenna guru:
    "In fact, the Yaesu ATAS antenna is the least efficient, remotely controllable, HF mobile antenna, money can buy!"
    http://k0bg.com/antennas.html

    That said, I do have the original ATAS-100 on my ancient FT-100. My old 20m Lakeview Hamstick worked noticeably better. (Before it whacked that tree branch, that is.)

    I have it on an MFJ-342S on my Volvo. The whip sticks up a bit above the tractor, and I've "twanged" the whip a few times (passenger door) on tree limbs. You MUST ground the mount! I also recommend taking the extra coax and making a ~4" coil at the mount to choke off the RF flowing on the shield.

    Would I go with the ATAS again if I had to buy a new antenna? No. I've seen a few mirror mounted Little Tarheel antennas on the road, and I would likely go that way, even if it means paying extra for a separate auto controller unit.
     
    MsJamie, Oct 24, 2013
    MsJamie, Oct 24, 2013
    #2
    DirtyBob and CobraDane Thank this.
  4. Oct 24, 2013 #3
    CobraDane

    CobraDane Light Load Member

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    Jun 28, 2012
    Weatherford, TX
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    I have heard a bit about the tarheel... I might look into it a bit more
     
    CobraDane, Oct 24, 2013
    CobraDane, Oct 24, 2013
    #3
  5. Nov 8, 2013 #4
    aimhigh

    aimhigh Light Load Member

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    Jan 21, 2011
    TX /USA - Germany -China
    0
    CobraDane: It is not a comparison, go TARHEEL reason #1. You get a better resale value If you decide to sale it and upgrade, in a few years to a real automatic screwdriver antenna such as the HiQ series Piranhas (built trucker tough 2nd behind the Scorpion), the Scorpion (I think the Top Dog of all auto-screwdriver antennas), then there are the larger Tarheels and the GS auto screwdriver antenna by gs-mfg.com (which has a very good user reputation). The following antennas fall ito a pecking order that necessitates having to get a automatic screwdriver antenna but you do not have enough green backs $$$$ to purchase a REAL auto-screw antenna as shown above.
    4. www.alpineantennas.com
    5. www.diamondantenna.com yes diamond now makes a auto screwdriver antenna!
    6. www.highsierraantenna.com
    bottom tier is a tie between
    7. a. Yaesu's ATAS antenna
    7. b. MFJ attempt at a auto screwdriver antenna
    Aim High! .......... ............. ........................ ................................ just my opinion, others may differ
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2013
    aimhigh, Nov 8, 2013
    aimhigh, Nov 8, 2013
    #4
  7. Nov 10, 2013 #5
    RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    Jan 30, 2011
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    There is a different Diamond antenna website for ham radio stuff. The link goes straight to the screwdriver product.
     
    RedForeman, Nov 10, 2013
    RedForeman, Nov 10, 2013
    #5
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