On 16 Jul 2003 18:20:37 GMT, (ALCCA) wrote:

Hi, I am thinking of getting a Yaesu 897 with the ATAS 120 antenna for both
mobile and base operation. My problem is that I live in a condo which does not
allow antennas on the roof. I have been thinking of getting the MFJ 1904 which
is a 2' X 2" stainless steel base and mounting the ATAS 120 with an extension
(to keep RF away from me and also to get it as close as possible to the
cathedral ceiling). What do you guys think of such an arrangement.
Thanks
Al Casanova
KE4MNF

al, i've got the ATAS 100 and love it. the 120 is the next generation
of that antenna. i think you'd be better off mounting that outside on
a balcony railing maybe?

73,
rich, n9dko

Rich and Bob thanks for the suggestions. I don't have a balcony that is wht I
have been struggling with a good set up. The ground plate is rather large 2
feet X 2 feet and it is a 1/4 inch thick and according to MFJ provides the
equivalent ground of a car. I think using an extension probably is a bad idea
since the ATAS requires to be in direct contact with the ground. I am now
thinking of mounting the ATAS directly to the ground plate and if I need to add
some radials. What do you guys think.
Al Casanova
KE4MNF

On 16 Jul 2003 18:20:37 GMT, (ALCCA) wrote:

Hi, I am thinking of getting a Yaesu 897 with the ATAS 120 antenna for both
mobile and base operation. My problem is that I live in a condo which does not
allow antennas on the roof. I have been thinking of getting the MFJ 1904 which
is a 2' X 2" stainless steel base and mounting the ATAS 120 with an extension
(to keep RF away from me and also to get it as close as possible to the
cathedral ceiling). What do you guys think of such an arrangement.
Thanks
Al Casanova
KE4MNF

I'm not that familiar with the atas antennas, but you might look at
some kind of ground -- a counterpoise wire(s), radials, whatever, to
replace the ground the car normally provides. I'm not sure the little
steel plate will be much of a ground. Maybe you can use it as a
gathering point for some radials.

Bob
k5qwg

On 17 Jul 2003 18:54:51 GMT, (ALCCA) wrote:

Rich and Bob thanks for the suggestions. I don't have a balcony that is wht I
have been struggling with a good set up. The ground plate is rather large 2
feet X 2 feet and it is a 1/4 inch thick and according to MFJ provides the
equivalent ground of a car. I think using an extension probably is a bad idea
since the ATAS requires to be in direct contact with the ground. I am now
thinking of mounting the ATAS directly to the ground plate and if I need to add
some radials. What do you guys think.
Al Casanova
KE4MNF

I'd try one or the other. Attach a single 1/4 wave counterpoise wire
to the ground side of your antenna, and compare that to what happens
with the plate, by itself. In the past, in an apartment, I used a
short vertical with a loading coil, and tuned it by adjusting a single
counterpoise wire to 1/4-wavelength for the band being used. Worked
pretty good with 100 watts, tho' the wire was hot with rf :-)

Bob
k5qwg