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Reviews For: Texas Bug Catcher

Category: Antennas: HF Mobile & Accessories

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Review Summary For : Texas Bug Catcher
Reviews: 25MSRP: 160 - 199
Description:
GLA Systems Texas Bugcatcher
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mtcradio.com/brands/Texas-BugCatcher.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00254.9
K3SUI Rating: 2001-06-25
Best Mobile Antenna ... Ever ... If you can get it by the wife Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought one of these at the Timonium Hamfest a few years ago from Henry. I put it on a hitch mount on the back of an old '85 Caprice. WOW !! I actually had a pileup once or twice, people wanting to see what I was running!! This is the FINEST mobile antenna I've ever used in 40 years of hamming. Easly broke pileups on 20 meters. Great signal reports on 40. Even did pretty well on 75 meters. Tuned up easly. I soldered the clips to the coil once I found the proper position ... as recommended by Henry. Only down side was the loss of a whip when the quick attach vibrated loose and the fact that the wife would not ride in the car with me. She said people were looking at us !! I would suspect in admiration !!
KA3VVV Rating: 2000-07-25
There are 2 diffent bugcatcher Time Owned: more than 12 months.
There are 2 diffent bugcatcher i have 1 by texas radio. It a pvc type with a coil around with taps on it
N0SP Rating: 2000-05-27
Incredible Performer! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've operated with this antenna for several years now mostly on 75 & 40 meters. I am CONSTANTLY receiving unsolicited comments on how strong it is for a mobile and people expressing disbelief that I'm not using an amplifier. "You sound like a base station" is the most common remark. I have the 75 meter #680 coil and it's predecessor the #88. Yes, these antennas are big, but if you want performance there is no way around it.. and boy do these perform! Product support from Henry Allen at GLA is superb and the accesories are very well built. I also have a top hat, a few of his masts, and the hitch mount. All are very well made. The new "star" jumper design is a brilliant idea and works wonderfully. I've had no problems with these wearing or coming loose. If someone wants a "no compromise" antenna, this is it without question.
N0JK Rating: 2000-03-05
Bug Catcher great 160M mobile antenna Time Owned: unknown months.
The Bug Catcher is one of the most effective mobile antennas around. Mine is on the roof of a Jeep Cherokee. On 10M run QRP SSB and routinely make QSOs into AF, EU, JA, etc mobile. On 160M I use the 80M version with a home brew loading coil. I worked the Clipperton group March 3 on 160M with it running 100 watts. It may not be the most attractive looking beast but it works.
AA2T Rating: 2000-02-21
Good signal reports, needs new tap clip design Time Owned: unknown months.
Set one up for y2K day on 80,40 and 20Meters. Requires a strong ball mount. I tuned it up ok but had trouble holding the resonant freq due to the clips that were supplied for making the taps. The screws on the clips would occasionally (depending on how handled) move down and the screw end would touch a turn and it would short out 2-3 turns. If you are on a lower band and one of ur clips for 20M for example got moved and shorted a few turns, your lower resonant freq would move up. I found this sloppy.
The shorting jumper also broke off at the ring terminal after a few uses. I also can no longer get the bayonnet joint apart for some reason. I cannot compress the internal spring enough to free it.

Great signal reports, some minor mech nits.