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Radio Packing for Shipping

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radioshoppe

Radio Packing for Shipping

Hi to all,

I've been reading the comments on packing radio's for shipping with considerable interest. I've spent many years in the packing and shipping world and offer a few comments here. Some years back I authored a several page paper on packing that has been on eHam and I've give permission for it to appear in a book on amateur radio.

There are two aspects to consider when shipping. First is to obviously protect the item, radio in this case, from damage. The amount and type of packaging depends on fragility, weight and value of the item. As a broad and general guideline the average modern non-tube radio should have at least four inches of packing between the item and the outside of the box. Wrap the item in two inches of bubble wrap and place it in a corrugated box. Wrap that box in two more inches of bubble wrap and place in a second box. Notice there is no mention of packing peanuts. They settle 10-15 percent in transit and should only be used in corners and similar location and not as cushioning. Be sure nothing will move or rattle inside either box. Slightly over stuff the boxes. Use plenty of good quality packing tape, not cellophane or duct tape on the boxes. Put name, to and from addresses, phone number, RMA number etc in each box along with invoice and
other paper work. Put the RMA number on the outside of the box. Up to six inches of cushioning may be needed depending on, again fragility, weight and value including double wall boxes or crates. Seek a professionals guidance if there is any question.

Second is to assure you pack adequately so you can collect from the carrier should the item be damaged. All carriers publish similar packing guidelines. While an inch of packing may protect many items, if the item is NOT packed in accordance with the carriers guidelines you will be awarded the dreaded "insufficient cushioning" award from the carrier and the carrier will NOT pay an insurance claim. Regardless of the amount of insurance or who is responsible for the damage.

Pack in accordance with the carriers guidelines. (See their websites for guidelines.) Without doing so may result in damage and denial of a claim if there is damage.

BTW, do buy insurance. It's cheap when compared to the overall cost of your radio. If there is damage be prepared to substantiate the insured value. Don't be so foolish as to poorly pack a $2000 radio, insure it for $5000 and expect to receive the full insured amount when it's damaged. The carriers have heard and denied every scheme you can imagine.

Take pride in the USA. 73

Jim, W0EM

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Bob K6UJ

Re: Radio Packing for Shipping

Jim,

Thanks for the excellent guide on packing.
I wasn't aware of the settling issue with packing peanuts, thats good to know.
I will be packing up an Alpha amplifier for shipping soon, your info is duly noted!

tnx es 73,
Bob
K6UJ

On Feb 27, 2011, at 4:08 PM, Jim Harris wrote:

> Hi to all,
>
> I've been reading the comments on packing radio's for shipping with considerable interest. I've spent many years in the packing and shipping world and offer a few comments here. Some years back I authored a several page paper on packing that has been on eHam and I've give permission for it to appear in a book on amateur radio.
>
> There are two aspects to consider when shipping. First is to obviously protect the item, radio in this case, from damage. The amount and type of packaging depends on fragility, weight and value of the item. As a broad and general guideline the average modern non-tube radio should have at least four inches of packing between the item and the outside of the box. Wrap the item in two inches of bubble wrap and place it in a corrugated box. Wrap that box in two more inches of bubble wrap and place in a second box. Notice there is no mention of packing peanuts. They settle 10-15 percent in transit and should only be used in corners and similar location and not as cushioning. Be sure nothing will move or rattle inside either box. Slightly over stuff the boxes. Use plenty of good quality packing tape, not cellophane or duct tape on the boxes. Put name, to and from addresses, phone number, RMA number etc in each box along with invoice and
> other paper work. Put the RMA number on the outside of the box. Up to six inches of cushioning may be needed depending on, again fragility, weight and value including double wall boxes or crates. Seek a professionals guidance if there is any question.
>
> Second is to assure you pack adequately so you can collect from the carrier should the item be damaged. All carriers publish similar packing guidelines. While an inch of packing may protect many items, if the item is NOT packed in accordance with the carriers guidelines you will be awarded the dreaded "insufficient cushioning" award from the carrier and the carrier will NOT pay an insurance claim. Regardless of the amount of insurance or who is responsible for the damage.
>
> Pack in accordance with the carriers guidelines. (See their websites for guidelines.) Without doing so may result in damage and denial of a claim if there is damage.
>
> BTW, do buy insurance. It's cheap when compared to the overall cost of your radio. If there is damage be prepared to substantiate the insured value. Don't be so foolish as to poorly pack a $2000 radio, insure it for $5000 and expect to receive the full insured amount when it's damaged. The carriers have heard and denied every scheme you can imagine.
>
>
> Take pride in the USA. 73
>
>
>
> Jim, W0EM
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Mel

Re: Radio Packing for Shipping

I agree with Jim, but would like to add a sidenote.

I recently went to a "UPS" store to have a fragile item shipped, not a radio. I asked them if they did the expanding foam packing and they said, "OK YES". When the item got to the other end it was destroyed and not foam packed. Yes, I insured it and yes I got reimbursed, but that is not the point. Follow Jim's instructions, don't skimp. Do it right and you will not be disappointed.

Mel, K6KBE

--- On Sun, 2/27/11, Robert Harmon <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: Robert Harmon <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Radio Packing for Shipping
To: "Jim Harris" <[hidden email]>
Cc: "Elecraft Email" <[hidden email]>
Date: Sunday, February 27, 2011, 5:11 PM

Jim,

Thanks for the excellent guide on packing.
I wasn't aware of the settling issue with packing peanuts, thats good to know.
I will be packing up an Alpha amplifier for shipping soon, your info is duly noted!

tnx es 73,
Bob
K6UJ

On Feb 27, 2011, at 4:08 PM, Jim Harris wrote:

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David Christ

Re: Radio Packing for Shipping

In reply to this post by Bob K6UJ

Peanuts are not the best for heavy items as they can crush. A lot of
heavier items are packed with dense Styrofoam spacers.

David K0LUM

At 5:11 PM -0800 2/27/11, Robert Harmon wrote:

>Jim,
>
>Thanks for the excellent guide on packing.
>I wasn't aware of the settling issue with packing peanuts, thats good to know.
>I will be packing up an Alpha amplifier for shipping soon, your info
>is duly noted!
>
>tnx es 73,
>Bob
>K6UJ
>

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Radio Packing for Shipping

In reply to this post by Bob K6UJ

Bob,

I would not advocate packing peanuts or full enveloping bubble wrap as
the mail support for anything heavy - peanuts or bubblewrap work for
relatively lightweight objects, but not for heavy items.
I had several years experience packing some very delicate and relatively
fragile items (expensive laminate panels for display exhibits) that had
to be "fork truck" capable. The one most important parameter is to
support the object to be protected at the corners. As an example, you
can see the foam placement on many items like LCD displays and such
where there are formed corner supports, and nothing else - that is the
packing method I refer to. If the object is supported at the corners,
and there is open space between the sides of the enclosure (box) and the
remainder of the item, it will ship well without damage.

So the ideal for heavy delicate items is to provide good support at each
corner and not worry about filling the spaces in between. Actually
attempts to totally support the item at all points says it will be
distorted with any distortion of the outer container, while support at
only the corners will allow the outer container to distort without
causing damage to the item itself.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/27/2011 8:11 PM, Robert Harmon wrote:
> Jim,
>
> Thanks for the excellent guide on packing.
> I wasn't aware of the settling issue with packing peanuts, thats good to know.
> I will be packing up an Alpha amplifier for shipping soon, your info is duly noted!
>
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Gary Gregory

Re: Radio Packing for Shipping

Yawn.....nuff said folks?

I know it's been a slow news week :-)

Back to playing with the K-Line :-)

10/15/20 and 6m been pretty good this last week in VK

73's
Gary

On Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 12:17 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Bob,
>
> I would not advocate packing peanuts or full enveloping bubble wrap as
> the mail support for anything heavy - peanuts or bubblewrap work for
> relatively lightweight objects, but not for heavy items.
> I had several years experience packing some very delicate and relatively
> fragile items (expensive laminate panels for display exhibits) that had
> to be "fork truck" capable. The one most important parameter is to
> support the object to be protected at the corners. As an example, you
> can see the foam placement on many items like LCD displays and such
> where there are formed corner supports, and nothing else - that is the
> packing method I refer to. If the object is supported at the corners,
> and there is open space between the sides of the enclosure (box) and the
> remainder of the item, it will ship well without damage.
>
> So the ideal for heavy delicate items is to provide good support at each
> corner and not worry about filling the spaces in between. Actually
> attempts to totally support the item at all points says it will be
> distorted with any distortion of the outer container, while support at
> only the corners will allow the outer container to distort without
> causing damage to the item itself.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 2/27/2011 8:11 PM, Robert Harmon wrote:
>> Jim,
>>
>> Thanks for the excellent guide on packing.
>> I wasn't aware of the settling issue with packing peanuts, thats good to know.
>> I will be packing up an Alpha amplifier for shipping soon, your info is duly noted!
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

Larry stowell

Re: Radio Packing for Shipping

Thanks to all that replied to my packaging question. I'm off this AM for
suitable boxes and await the RSA number from Dale.

73 Larry K1ZW

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Gary Gregory
Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 9:28 PM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: Elecraft Email; Jim Harris
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Radio Packing for Shipping

Yawn.....nuff said folks?

I know it's been a slow news week :-)

Back to playing with the K-Line :-)

10/15/20 and 6m been pretty good this last week in VK

73's
Gary

On Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 12:17 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

without damage.

>
> So the ideal for heavy delicate items is to provide good support at
> each corner and not worry about filling the spaces in between.
> Actually attempts to totally support the item at all points says it
> will be distorted with any distortion of the outer container, while
> support at only the corners will allow the outer container to distort
> without causing damage to the item itself.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 2/27/2011 8:11 PM, Robert Harmon wrote:
>> Jim,
>>
>> Thanks for the excellent guide on packing.
>> I wasn't aware of the settling issue with packing peanuts, thats good to

know.
>> I will be packing up an Alpha amplifier for shipping soon, your info is
duly noted!

>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

--

VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile
http://www.qsl.net/vk4fd/
K3 #679
Dare to be different!!!
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