How do you travel with the K2?

[David Fleming-4]

It's mighty quite around here all of a sudden.

I'll be taking the K2 with me and the family on vacation this summer.
I'm trying to come up with a good way to package the rig for the
flight. I've never traveled with a radio before. I'll be taking the K2,
KAT100-1, MFJ-4225MV (I know, but it seems to be a fairly decent little
power supply), headset/mic, bencher paddles, cables, wire, some tools,
etc. My first thought was to give everything a good bubble wrapping and
put it all in a sturdy (hard shell) suitcase and be done with it. But I
can't treat my K2 that way. I'm thinking the best solution (within
reason) would be to buy a Pelican 1650 with the pluck foam and make a
nice cubby hole in the foam for everything. Or I could put the K2 and
KAT in a much smaller case and take it carry-on and put everything else
in a suitcase. Those Pelican cases are a bit pricey though. How do ya'll
(yous guys) do it?

-David W4SMT  


_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
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

[Don Wilhelm-3]

David,

There is a large variety of cases that will do the task, just select
whichever one pleases you.  As long as the case will survive without
great damage, your K2 tucked inside it will survive too (if properly
supported).

As far as packaging goes, I learned long ago when I was packing fragile
tradeshow exhibit materials, that if the object (K2 in this case) is
supported at the corners only, that is the very best packaging support
system - it allows both the container flat surfaces and the item
enclosed to move slightly and will survive impact quite nicely.  If you
notice how fragile electronics items such as LCD displays and TVs, you
will find the same supporting techniques.  If you attempt to provide
support over an entire flat surface, that surface is prone to distortion
in case of an impact.  Remember that the corners are the strongest
points in any packaging system.

So inside use whatever packaging you choose, support the K2 with
something relatively rigid (like high density foam) at the corners and
if you just like complete coverage, use soft foam at other places.
Remember that you are not 'padding' the K2, you are 'supporting' it and
you will achieve the most durable package.

Remember that the K2 can be damaged by an impact to the front panel or
the rear panel more so than any other surface, so envision your
packaging being dropped or set down hard - package the K2 in the
directions where the front and rear panels are NOT directly in-line with
the more common impacts - usually that means to package it 'sideways' in
your crating package.  The top, bottom and side panels will survive much
greater impact than either the front or rear.

73,
Don W3FPR

David Fleming wrote:

> It's mighty quite around here all of a sudden.
>
> I'll be taking the K2 with me and the family on vacation this summer.
> I'm trying to come up with a good way to package the rig for the
> flight. I've never traveled with a radio before. I'll be taking the K2,
> KAT100-1, MFJ-4225MV (I know, but it seems to be a fairly decent little
> power supply), headset/mic, bencher paddles, cables, wire, some tools,
> etc. My first thought was to give everything a good bubble wrapping and
> put it all in a sturdy (hard shell) suitcase and be done with it. But I
> can't treat my K2 that way. I'm thinking the best solution (within
> reason) would be to buy a Pelican 1650 with the pluck foam and make a
> nice cubby hole in the foam for everything. Or I could put the K2 and
> KAT in a much smaller case and take it carry-on and put everything else
> in a suitcase. Those Pelican cases are a bit pricey though. How do ya'll
> (yous guys) do it?
>
> -David W4SMT  
>

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
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

[Cady, Fred]

On my multi-trips to 6Y, 3D2 and C6 I've just wrapped it in foam and
stuck it in the middle of a suitcase. The suitcase has ranged from a
"hard" samsonite to on of those aircraft aluminum jobs. Never had a
problems but ... Probably the biggest threat you rig has is from the TSA
gestapo. They unwrap stuff and don't wrap it up well again. On the 3D2
trip a couple of years ago one of the guys had his TS50 taken out and
dropped! Had to have been cause it arrived with the VFO know jammed in
and a PC board busted. Probably the best deal is to put it in a pelican
case with the pluck foam and maybe, just maybe, if you can make the hole
such that it doesn't matter how the rig goes in, the TSA can put it back
in the right hole.
Problem with the pelican case if you are traveling overseas is that it
is unusual enough to often garner customs inspections. For that reason I
like just a plain suitcase.

73,
Fred
KE7X

Fred Cady
[hidden email]  

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of David Fleming
> Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 6:48 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] How do you travel with the K2?
>
> It's mighty quite around here all of a sudden.
>
> I'll be taking the K2 with me and the family on vacation this summer.
> I'm trying to come up with a good way to package the rig for the
> flight. I've never traveled with a radio before. I'll be
> taking the K2,
> KAT100-1, MFJ-4225MV (I know, but it seems to be a fairly
> decent little
> power supply), headset/mic, bencher paddles, cables, wire, some tools,
> etc. My first thought was to give everything a good bubble
> wrapping and
> put it all in a sturdy (hard shell) suitcase and be done with
> it. But I
> can't treat my K2 that way. I'm thinking the best solution (within
> reason) would be to buy a Pelican 1650 with the pluck foam and make a
> nice cubby hole in the foam for everything. Or I could put the K2 and
> KAT in a much smaller case and take it carry-on and put
> everything else
> in a suitcase. Those Pelican cases are a bit pricey though.
> How do ya'll
> (yous guys) do it?
>
> -David W4SMT  
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> 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
>

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail.
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
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

[Doug Faunt N6TQS [phone]]

I've carried mine in all those ways, plus just putting it a softsided
case that fits it, and putting that in a duffle bag padded with clothes,
and checking it.

For a oneshot, bubblewrapping and in hardside luggage should be fine.
The Pelican case is overkill unless you're packing it a lot, into
extreme environments, and use of the radio at the other end is
critical, such as you're traveling for a DXpedition.

I used a 4225 on my first DXpedition, and now that I've got a way of
testing the 4125 at extreme levels before I leave, I've started taking
that one again.

73, doug

   Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 17:47:59 -0700
   From: David Fleming <[hidden email]>

   It's mighty quite around here all of a sudden.

   I'll be taking the K2 with me and the family on vacation this summer.
   I'm trying to come up with a good way to package the rig for the
   flight. I've never traveled with a radio before. I'll be taking the K2,
   KAT100-1, MFJ-4225MV (I know, but it seems to be a fairly decent little
   power supply), headset/mic, bencher paddles, cables, wire, some tools,
   etc. My first thought was to give everything a good bubble wrapping and
   put it all in a sturdy (hard shell) suitcase and be done with it. But I
   can't treat my K2 that way. I'm thinking the best solution (within
   reason) would be to buy a Pelican 1650 with the pluck foam and make a
   nice cubby hole in the foam for everything. Or I could put the K2 and
   KAT in a much smaller case and take it carry-on and put everything else
   in a suitcase. Those Pelican cases are a bit pricey though. How do ya'll
   (yous guys) do it?

   -David W4SMT  


   _______________________________________________
   Elecraft mailing list
   Post to: [hidden email]
   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

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
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

[waltk8cv4612amos-2]

I did dxpeditions in the 80's and ALWAYS carried on my TS-830, remote vfo,
keyer and paddle along with log books on the plane. YOU CAN'T DO THAT ANY
MORE ! You have monkeys pawing through your stuff every time you get on the
plane. If your radio will fit in a 2 oz. bottle it is ok :-) Oh, sure , you
can CHECK THROUGH anything but a BOMB in the check in luggage but it is
un-locked and it may or may NOT come out the other end ! Go to the homeland
security sight, it's all there. I left my ATS-3 at home on my last trip to
Hawaii a few weeks ago. I was on Lanai and it would have been pretty rare,
but alas, not for me.

Best bet, don't travel with a radio. PERIOD !!

If you are traveling in the USA to some destination send the radio on ahead
by UPS and it will be at your sisters place or your hotel HOPEFULLY if you
make arrangements for them to accept it before hand.

Sure , some guys will tell you " I didn't have any problem " but they were
lucky.

Walt K8CV Royal Oak, MI.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Faunt N6TQS [phone]" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 11:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] How do you travel with the K2?

> I've carried mine in all those ways, plus just putting it a softsided
> case that fits it, and putting that in a duffle bag padded with clothes,
> and checking it.
>
> For a oneshot, bubblewrapping and in hardside luggage should be fine.
> The Pelican case is overkill unless you're packing it a lot, into
> extreme environments, and use of the radio at the other end is
> critical, such as you're traveling for a DXpedition.
>
> I used a 4225 on my first DXpedition, and now that I've got a way of
> testing the 4125 at extreme levels before I leave, I've started taking
> that one again.
>
> 73, doug
>
>   Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 17:47:59 -0700
>   From: David Fleming <[hidden email]>
>
>   It's mighty quite around here all of a sudden.
>
>   I'll be taking the K2 with me and the family on vacation this summer.
>   I'm trying to come up with a good way to package the rig for the
>   flight. I've never traveled with a radio before. I'll be taking the K2,
>   KAT100-1, MFJ-4225MV (I know, but it seems to be a fairly decent little
>   power supply), headset/mic, bencher paddles, cables, wire, some tools,
>   etc. My first thought was to give everything a good bubble wrapping and
>   put it all in a sturdy (hard shell) suitcase and be done with it. But I
>   can't treat my K2 that way. I'm thinking the best solution (within
>   reason) would be to buy a Pelican 1650 with the pluck foam and make a
>   nice cubby hole in the foam for everything. Or I could put the K2 and
>   KAT in a much smaller case and take it carry-on and put everything else
>   in a suitcase. Those Pelican cases are a bit pricey though. How do ya'll
>   (yous guys) do it?
>
>   -David W4SMT
>
>
>   _______________________________________________
>   Elecraft mailing list
>   Post to: [hidden email]
>   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
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> 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
>

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
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

[Doug Faunt N6TQS [phone]]

Err, I've been on a dozen DXpeditions since 2001, and have been "lucky"
every time.   Given an attitude about "monkeys pawing through your
stuff", you probably would have problems.

Yes, it's possible that your gear will be molested or stolen, we lost
a bag of stuff at APW on this last trip, but life is risks.

73, doug

   From: <[hidden email]>
   Date: Tue, 1 May 2007 09:43:08 -0400

   I did dxpeditions in the 80's and ALWAYS carried on my TS-830, remote vfo,
   keyer and paddle along with log books on the plane. YOU CAN'T DO THAT ANY
   MORE ! You have monkeys pawing through your stuff every time you get on the
   plane. If your radio will fit in a 2 oz. bottle it is ok :-) Oh, sure , you
   can CHECK THROUGH anything but a BOMB in the check in luggage but it is
   un-locked and it may or may NOT come out the other end ! Go to the homeland
   security sight, it's all there. I left my ATS-3 at home on my last trip to
   Hawaii a few weeks ago. I was on Lanai and it would have been pretty rare,
   but alas, not for me.

   Best bet, don't travel with a radio. PERIOD !!

   If you are traveling in the USA to some destination send the radio on ahead
   by UPS and it will be at your sisters place or your hotel HOPEFULLY if you
   make arrangements for them to accept it before hand.

   Sure , some guys will tell you " I didn't have any problem " but they were
   lucky.

   Walt K8CV Royal Oak, MI.


   ----- Original Message -----
   From: "Doug Faunt N6TQS [phone]" <[hidden email]>
   To: <[hidden email]>
   Cc: <[hidden email]>
   Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 11:29 PM
   Subject: Re: [Elecraft] How do you travel with the K2?


   > I've carried mine in all those ways, plus just putting it a softsided
   > case that fits it, and putting that in a duffle bag padded with clothes,
   > and checking it.
   >
   > For a oneshot, bubblewrapping and in hardside luggage should be fine.
   > The Pelican case is overkill unless you're packing it a lot, into
   > extreme environments, and use of the radio at the other end is
   > critical, such as you're traveling for a DXpedition.
   >
   > I used a 4225 on my first DXpedition, and now that I've got a way of
   > testing the 4125 at extreme levels before I leave, I've started taking
   > that one again.
   >
   > 73, doug
   >
   >   Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 17:47:59 -0700
   >   From: David Fleming <[hidden email]>
   >
   >   It's mighty quite around here all of a sudden.
   >
   >   I'll be taking the K2 with me and the family on vacation this summer.
   >   I'm trying to come up with a good way to package the rig for the
   >   flight. I've never traveled with a radio before. I'll be taking the K2,
   >   KAT100-1, MFJ-4225MV (I know, but it seems to be a fairly decent little
   >   power supply), headset/mic, bencher paddles, cables, wire, some tools,
   >   etc. My first thought was to give everything a good bubble wrapping and
   >   put it all in a sturdy (hard shell) suitcase and be done with it. But I
   >   can't treat my K2 that way. I'm thinking the best solution (within
   >   reason) would be to buy a Pelican 1650 with the pluck foam and make a
   >   nice cubby hole in the foam for everything. Or I could put the K2 and
   >   KAT in a much smaller case and take it carry-on and put everything else
   >   in a suitcase. Those Pelican cases are a bit pricey though. How do ya'll
   >   (yous guys) do it?
   >
   >   -David W4SMT
   >
   >
   >   _______________________________________________
   >   Elecraft mailing list
   >   Post to: [hidden email]
   >   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
   >
   > _______________________________________________
   > Elecraft mailing list
   > Post to: [hidden email]
   > 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
   >

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
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

[KK7P]

> Best bet, don't travel with a radio. PERIOD !!

Last year I took my K2 to Western Australia.  It was in my carry-on on
the way over, and in my checked baggage on the way back.  I flew
domestically and internationally on that trip since OZ isn't served from
Seattle.

Zero problems.

In hundreds of international flights pre- and tens post-9/11, this has
almost never been an issue.  When it was, a careful, calm reaction to
questions always resulted in being able to take the equipment, either on
board or checked.  Only once did I have to work my way past an obstinate
person, and that was hand-carrying a satellite (AO-51) to a launch
facility (Aeroflot to Moscow) enroute to Kazhakstan.

I *have* had things stolen from my locked, checked baggage, but that was
when I went to *very* 3rd world places.

73,

Lyle KK7P


_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
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