Active Tuning Antenna System ATAS-25 Installation/Operating Instructions
Active Tuning Antenna System ATAS-25 Installation/Operating Instructions
Active Tuning Antenna System ATAS-25 Installation/Operating Instructions
1. Tune the transceiver to the desired operating frequency. The ATAS-25 is designed for temporary field operation.
ATAS-25 2. Referring to Figure 7, raise and lower the coil assembly We do not recommend that the ATAS-25 be used for per-
Installation/Operating Instructions while listening to the band noise, and seek the position of manent operation, as it does not include the weather-
the coil assembly producing the most noise in the re- proofing needed for long-term outdoor installation.
Thank you for choosing Yaesu’s exciting new ATAS-25 Active Tuning Antenna System. We hope and trust that you will enjoy many ceiver. If a peak in the sensitivity is not obtained when the The ATAS-25 is designed for a maximum power of 100
years of enjoyable field operation with the ATAS-25! coil assembly is fully retracted to the lowest (shortest) Watts (SSB/CW) or 50 Watts (AM/FM, 144 MHz, 430
position, remove one radiating element from the coil as- MHz). Do not exceed this combined power input (if two
The ATAS-25 utilizes a manual tuning system which resonates the radiating element for lowest SWR without the need for expen-
sembly and try again. You may have a total antenna length transmitters are connected via a diplexer) when operating
sive, inconvenient mono-band resonating whip assemblies. The ATAS-25 allows dual-frequency operation (on HF or 50 MHz and
that is too long. the ATAS-25.
either 144 or 430 MHz), if two transceivers are combined via a suitable diplexer (not supplied). The ATAS-25 is designed to mount
3. Key the transmitter in the CW mode, and check the SWR Do not connect (mount) the ATAS-25 to the antenna jack
directly onto a standard camera tripod (not supplied); see Figure 1.
meter reading. of the transceiver or antenna mount directly using a double-
INSTALLATION 4. Referring to Figure 7 again, carefully turn the coil assem- male coaxial adapter plug. The ATAS-25 must be mounted
bly to the right or to the left while the transceiver is receiv- onto a tripod or other similar item using the Camera Screw
1. Mount the ATAS-25 main body onto the tripod. the appropriate antenna jack when you wish to operate on ing. After making an adjustment, stand away from the an- hole (Type “U¼”) on the bottom of the ATAS-25 main body.
2. Referring to Figure 2 and the following chart, connect the VHF or UHF. tenna and check the SWR again, and repeat (or reverse) Do not allow anyone to touch the radiating element during
radiating elements according to the operating band, then the procedure until the best SWR is obtained. Do not touch a transmitting session, due to the danger of burning of the
While operation is not guaranteed on the 10/18/24 MHz bands,
screw the radiating element securely to the top of the coil the coil assembly during a transmitting session. skin caused by the high RF voltage present. It helps the
please feel free to experiment on these bands, as low SWR and
assembly of the ATAS-25. 5. If low SWR on an HF band cannot be satisfactorily ob- accuracy of the SWR measurements if all people are stand-
good efficiency will be obtained in many instances.
OPERATING BAND RADIATING ELEMENT(S) tained, connect (add) the supplied spare radial wire to the ing at least 10 feet (3 m) away from the radiating element,
7 MHz Three Elements bottom of the ATAS-25 main body and extend it outward anyway, to minimize inaccuracies due to mutual coupling
14 MHz Three or Two Elements from the antenna base, then try the above procedures to the human figure(s) in the vicinity.
21 MHz Two Elements again. If erratic transceiver operation is observed, there may be
28 MHz Two or One Element(s), or No Connection common-mode current flowing on the shield of the coaxial
50 MHz Do Not Connect
cable. Make an RF choke by coiling about eight turns of
144 MHz Not Used
Fine Tuning cable into a coil of diameter approximately 6” (roughly 150
430 MHz Not Used
mm) near the ATAS-25, taping the coils to hold them in
NOTE: When the ATAS-25 is fitted with two radiating place. If this does not eliminate the problem, reverse the
elements, use the top radiating element (the one with coax ends, placing the coil near the transceiver. If addi-
the rubber cap) and the bottom radiating element (the Coarse Tuning
tional cable is available, place a coil at both ends of the
one with the threaded adapter at the bottom). When the coaxial cable in difficult cases.
ATAS-25 is fitted with only one radiating element, move Set up the tripod as low and level as possible, for maxi-
the threaded adapter to the bottom of the element with Figure 7
mum stability of the tripod/antenna assembly. SWR tends
the rubber cap, then screw that element onto the top of to be best with the base of the ATAS-25 near the ground,
the coil assembly (Figure 3). USE OF CAPACITOR TUBE as well (Figure 1).
3. Secure the V/UHF radial elements to the bottom of the ATAS- Figure 1
If it is not possible to achieve a low SWR on Should the ATAS-25 get wet due to rain, wipe off the antenna’s
25 main body, using the supplied Allen wrench (Figure 4). the 144 MHz band, pass the supplied “Capaci- components using a dry cloth, then completely dry the ATAS-
4. Connect the supplied radial wires to the bottom of the ATAS- tor Tube” onto the VHF radial element, then slide 25 overnight with the coil assembly fully extended.
25 main body, then extend them outward from the antenna the Capacitor Tube outward, starting at the in- For SSB/CW DX operation on the 144/430 MHz bands,
base (Figure 5). nermost position, so as to obtain the best remember that the convention for polarization in most ar-
5. Connect the coaxial cable from the transceiver’s HF an- SWR. When the optimum position is identified, eas is horizontal, not vertical, so we recommend the ATAS-
tenna jack (see Figure 6). Typically, you can use the built- secure the Capacitor Tube to the radial element 25 mostly for local FM work on those bands.
in SWR meter in the transceiver, but alternatively you using the supplied Allen wrench. Make every effort to install the ATAS-25 away from areas
may adjust the SWR using an “Antenna Analyzer” prior where people might trip over the tripod legs, coaxial cable,
to connecting the coaxial cable to your transceiver. Slide the Capacitor Tube outward from or counterpoise wires. We strongly recommend that the
If you operate the ATAS-25 along with the FT-817ND, we recom- inner end to Position yielding best SWR. tripod legs be staked firmly to the ground, or the tripod and
mend that you set the transceiver’s Menu #07 (ANTENNA) to “REAR” antenna be otherwise secured with guy ropes and stakes,
for all bands (HF/50/144/430 MHz), to pass all bands’ RF power to VHF Radial Element to prevent the antenna from accidentally tipping over, so
the rear antenna jack of the FT-817ND. Refer to the FT-817ND Secure the Capacitor Tube using as to avoid injury to bystanders and/or damage to an-
operating manual for details regarding the Menu selections. the supplied Allen Wrench. tenna components.
For operation on the 144 and 430 MHz bands, in addition to Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 SUPPLIED ITEMS
HF/50 MHz using the FT-847/-100/-100D/-857D/-897D, you SPECIFICATIONS ATAS-25 Main Body ............................................................. 1
may wish to consider the purchase of a “Diplexer” (for the FT- Frequency Range: 7/14/21/28/50/144/430 MHz Radiating Elements .............................................................. 3
100/-100D/-857D/-897D) or “Triplexer” (for the FT-847) device Amateur Bands Radial Element (for VHF band) ........................................... 1
to contact to the appropriate transceiver’s antenna jack; the Input Impedance: 50 Ohms Radial Element (for UHF band) ........................................... 1
Diplexer or Triplexer will then automatically pass RF power Max. Input Power: HF/50 MHz:100 W (SSB/CW, 50% Duty) Radial Wires (20 ft (6 m) , 9.8 ft (3 m) & 6.6 ft (2 m) Length) ........... 1
from the band in use while isolating the other one or two jacks. 50 W (AM/FM) Spare Radial Wire (32.8 ft (10 m) Length) .......................... 1
If you do not have a Diplexer or Triplexer, the coaxial cable 144/430 MHz:50 W (ALL MODE) Capacitor Tube ..................................................................... 1
connector from the ATAS-25 will have to be moved manually to Matched SWR: Less than 2.0:1 Allen Wrench ........................................................................ 1
Height (Approx.): Max. 7.2 ft (2.2 m) during Operation Operating Manual ................................................................. 1
Min. 1.96 ft (0.6 m) for Transporting
Weight (Approx.): 2.05 lb. (930 g)
E A C 8 2 X 7 0 1 Figure 5 Figure 6 YAESU MUSEN CO., LTD.