David, I find the results of your research strange. Lithium batteries are several orders of magnitude more dangerous than SLA. They catch fire and water and ordinary fire extinguishers don't work on Lithium! Please see http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/li_battery_restrictions.html for TSA restrictions and comments on lithium batteries. Of course things always appear different when viewed from the western side of the pond. I am wondering if the restrictions on SLA batteries are based upon ROHS restrictions on the importation of lead. Seems like lead is still ok for car batteries but not for car wheel balancing. Which is the greater hazard?
One bonus of lithium is its much greater energy per pound/kg than lead. Something you really appreciate when racing through airports. 73, de Fred, AE6QL -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Thomas Horsten Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2011 2:14 PM To: da...@violinman.co.uk Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Flying with K2 Hi David, I am flying to Denmark with my FT-817 next week, and I contacted EasyJet to figure out what I was going to do. The SLA battery is a no-no. It took 4 emails and escalating the issue to find out for sure that these are not allowed on EasyJet no matter what, and probably the same applies to other European airlines. Regarding the radio itself you can carry it in your hand baggage no problem, as long as you stay within the allowance of your airline. In EasyJet's case that means certain dimensions but no limit on the weight, so if you pack tightly you might be able to fit laptop as well as your rig into a suitable backpack. You can also pack it in the hold baggage, either is allowed. I bought a 8Ah Lithium Polymer battery from uttings.co.uk to replace my 12Ah SLA battery, which I wasn't allowed to bring. It's this one: http://www.deben.com/lithium-ion/12v-8ah-lithium-ion-battery-pack-with-fuel- gauge.html A datasheet for the battery can be found here: http://www.tracerpower.com/user/pdf/Li-Poly_Data_Sheet.pdf This works exceedingly well with my FT-817, I don't have a K2 to try it on but be aware that the voltage is somewhat lower than a SLA, with about 12.8 volts when fully charged and dropping to about 9.5V when it's flat. So this might be an issue for the K2 - the FT-817 puts out the full 5W at well under 9V. Hope it helps! 73, Thomas M0TRN K3 #4208 On 25 June 2011 18:21, David Andrews <da...@violinman.co.uk> wrote: > Advice please - I'm flying within Europe shortly with a K2. Do I pack > it in suitcase (hold) or carry-on? Any problem with the SLA battery? > What about paperwork? Is it likely to cause concern at the airports? > > > > Thanks > > > > David G4CWB > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
