>I am going to be going on a combined work and vacation trip in February, >including Hawaii . . . >First, what is the best way to pack the radio, and second, has anyone had >recent experience with airport security as far as carrying radios and >associated equipment? . . . > >Thanks for any advice! > >Bernie, W1AZ
Hi Bernie: After 16 flights this summer alone, in and out of the USA, Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zeeland, I think I can say with some confidence that you will not have a problem taking your K2 along. Your bag may be opened, swabbed, and you may be asked a question or two, but it is very unlikely that you will have a problem. In fact, over the last four years and many scores of times through security, the worst I have had, was being asked to power up the K2 (which involved plugging in the power supply which I also carry in the same carry-on bag) in Lusaka, Zambia (9J2)-and that was probably more out of sheer rote, or mere curiosity. They seemed genuinely tickled by the thing. I carry a whole "contest grade" 100w HF station in a briefcase sized $19 aluminum sided case I found at Home Depot. In the case: a K2/100, KAT100-1 ATU; Astron 25amp switching PS, MFJ 259 antenna analyzer; hand mic; computer type head-phones+boom mic; two Palm paddles; radio-controlled clock; spare batteries; assortment of plugs and adapters; all required coax and other cables for ATU and computer control; manuals, documentation, licenses, cheat-sheets, etc.; and, oh yes, also a 5W 3 band VHF/UHF handheld, and compass, just for good measure! The whole thing weighs about 20 lbs. I have only been given trouble once over weight by an officious check-in operative (in Auckland, NZ) who insisted that hand luggage so heavy was a direct threat to the safety of passengers if placed in an overhead compartment! She was totally unconcerned about the content, even after I showed her why I was unwilling to have it placed in checked baggage. After calling a supervisor, I won, and that was the end of it. This summer I also traveled with a 14 element 5 band HF yagi (a Spiderbeam) and a 35ft aluminum push-up mast, with all associated guys, and stays. All this fit in a golf bag as checked baggage, and weighed about 50 lbs. Never ONCE was there any problem or question. In fact, I discovered that most airlines will treat a golf bag as one of your two allowed bags, without weight limit (up to a max of 70 lbs). I did not have to pay one cent in overweight on any flight. By the way, this was a business/holiday/ham radio trip with the family, not a dedicated DXpedition. Bottom line-take the K2 (and "golf-bag" if you can, particularly from Hawaii), and have fun! 73 John, N6JW _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
