Yaesu 857 with ATAS120A/Mag Mount on Blazer

[KI4UAJ]

Finished installing the Yaesu 857D with an ATAS 120A on a 4 magnet mount. The ATAS 120A tuned right up with very low SWRs across the bands, highest was 1.7, low was 1.2. I did alot of research on the ATAS 120A and found out it NEEDS AVERY GOOD GROUND in order to work properly. I attached 3 separate 1/2" braided ground strap with electrical lugs soldered on both ends and attached 2 to the luggage rack mounting screws, i made sure the lugs had absolute contact with the screws and receiving mounts in the roof. The remaining 1/2" braid was attached to a self tapping sheet metal screw located on the underside of the back hatch. All grounds came up good to go.

I set the 120A up and initialized it and made a solid 59 contact on 20=mtrs, running 70 watts from my driveway to Mississippi.

The last thing i did was to use a slight amount of clear silicon sealer on all of the areas on the 120A where water could enter.

The 857 and 120A is a good combination for the mobile rig.

73s
Bob

[WA3ERQ]

Bob;

I have the same setup on my Kia Sedona but attached on the rear hatch. I've made fantastic contacts mobile to Australia and Asiatic Russia, from Peru to Canada. The only problem that I continue to have is that the ATAS-120 does not like the rain or the cold. Anytime the temp drops below 40F, it won't tune. When it rains, it takes a few times to tune correctly or wont tune on certain bands. I've checked my ground and other connections with no luck.

I liked the 857D so much, that I got the 897D for my home shack.

Good luck.

'73
Jim
WA3ERQ

[W1GUH]

It's good to read those reviews. #You've convinced me that I really can put my '857 with an ATS-120 in/on my Celica.

You didn't mention anything about RF problems with you car's electronics, so I assume you didn't have any, but before I try mobile, I want to make sure that's the case. #Did you put any special filtering on the power leads from the battery?

Again, thanks for the reviews...there's an ATS-120 in my future.

[KI4UAJ]

No filters were needed on my installation, the trick with the ATAS 120 is to have a VERY GOOD Ground. I made three separate ground straps, 1/2" braid, directly connected to the blazer's luggage rack mounting screws and one separate one with a sheet metal screw into the roof located underneath the hatch. I used Corrosion X on all of the wires and silicon sealer on any area i thought water could get into the 120.

I have zero alternator noise, no noise at all, very crisp, clear.The radio is directly wired to the battery, a fuse on each line (pos & neg). I normally work at 5-65 watts, the other day i contacted Greece, I am very happy with the installation.

[KI4UAJ]

FYI:

My call is Now W4RAA, i received my vanity after i passed my Extra class in Nov.

[M3MVB]

Quote[/b] (W1GUH @ Dec. 21 2007,00:48)]It's good to read those reviews. #You've convinced me that I really can put my '857 with an ATS-120 in/on my Celica.

You didn't mention anything about RF problems with you car's electronics, so I assume you didn't have any, but before I try mobile, I want to make sure that's the case. #Did you put any special filtering on the power leads from the battery?

Again, thanks for the reviews...there's an ATS-120 in my future.
I can agree with the reviews,
I use a ft857d and a atas120a on a uk spec vauxhall vectra mounted on the top of the rear hatch by a gutter mount, also has a good earth lead to the chassis, Really impressed with the setup some good dx to the states and south america while mobile,
good on the road there's no increase in wind noise
test tuned from 20mtrs to 40mtrs at 70mph with no prob at all, no rf effects on the car except maybe upsets the stereo sometimes but then dont have em both on at the sametime the car ecu does give s2 interferance on 2mtrs tho around 145.55,
My only gripe would be that its not great on 70cms but we cant have everything can we
Steve