I am flying out tomorrow on a vactiontion and want to take along my
FT-50 ... I had repacked the battery case on it with new AA nimh cells
and just have it taped back together. I am wondering if security might
wonder why its taped up. Anyone have experience with trying to fly
with amateur gear thats not exactly off the shelf condition if you
know what I mean (ie homebrew gear, qrp etc)
THanks for any advice, Mike AB7RU
PS I am not checking in luggage - just carry on.

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 11:23:34 -0700, AB7RU wrote:
I am flying out tomorrow on a vactiontion and want to take along my
FT-50 ... I had repacked the battery case on it with new AA nimh cells
and just have it taped back together. I am wondering if security might
wonder why its taped up. Anyone have experience with trying to fly
with amateur gear thats not exactly off the shelf condition if you
know what I mean (ie homebrew gear, qrp etc)
THanks for any advice, Mike AB7RU
PS I am not checking in luggage - just carry on.

- have your FCC license in hand, and don't roll out your prayer rug...

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 11:23:34 -0700, AB7RU wrote:
I am flying out tomorrow on a vactiontion and want to take along my
FT-50 ... I had repacked the battery case on it with new AA nimh cells
and just have it taped back together. I am wondering if security might
wonder why its taped up. Anyone have experience with trying to fly
with amateur gear thats not exactly off the shelf condition if you
know what I mean (ie homebrew gear, qrp etc)
THanks for any advice, Mike AB7RU
PS I am not checking in luggage - just carry on.

- have your FCC license in hand, and don't roll out your prayer rug...

I have had BAD experiences with airport security...
I once brought along a couple of battery cables in my computer bag, and they
stopped me, and swabbed my shoes, my computer, my computer bag, and every
item in it for explosives! Then they said that my battery cables (had a bit
of duct tape on them) were a "makeshift device" and weren't allowed on the
plane, and therefore, for some reason I had to put the WHOLE BAG in the
checked luggage. They wouldn't let me just get rid of the cables. Trust me,
anything that looks at all modified or homebrewed will set them off. Unless
you don't mind taking your shoes off and waiting for 20 minutes, be careful
what you try to bring through security!

-Greg


"TooManyRadios" wrote in message
...
In article , AB7RU
writes:

am flying out tomorrow on a vactiontion and want to take along my
FT-50 ... I had repacked the battery case on it with new AA nimh cells
and just have it taped back together. I am wondering if security might
wonder why its taped up.

Depends. If you're a white guy, you will likely be detained and
questioned.
If you "appear to be of Arab descent", they won't dare bother you...lest
you
hire an ACLU lawyer and file suit for "racial profiling."

I have had BAD experiences with airport security...
I once brought along a couple of battery cables in my computer bag, and they
stopped me, and swabbed my shoes, my computer, my computer bag, and every
item in it for explosives! Then they said that my battery cables (had a bit
of duct tape on them) were a "makeshift device" and weren't allowed on the
plane, and therefore, for some reason I had to put the WHOLE BAG in the
checked luggage. They wouldn't let me just get rid of the cables. Trust me,
anything that looks at all modified or homebrewed will set them off. Unless
you don't mind taking your shoes off and waiting for 20 minutes, be careful
what you try to bring through security!

-Greg


"TooManyRadios" wrote in message
...
In article , AB7RU
writes:

am flying out tomorrow on a vactiontion and want to take along my
FT-50 ... I had repacked the battery case on it with new AA nimh cells
and just have it taped back together. I am wondering if security might
wonder why its taped up.

Depends. If you're a white guy, you will likely be detained and
questioned.
If you "appear to be of Arab descent", they won't dare bother you...lest
you
hire an ACLU lawyer and file suit for "racial profiling."

I haven't traveled much in years, at least by air. But considering all
this 'security' stuff I am glad they are that picky.

If you consider things. A ham radio HT could be used as a terroristic
device. Without changing a thing. They need to communicate you know.

Dan/W4NTI

"Greg Courville" wrote in message
...
I have had BAD experiences with airport security...
I once brought along a couple of battery cables in my computer bag, and
they
stopped me, and swabbed my shoes, my computer, my computer bag, and every
item in it for explosives! Then they said that my battery cables (had a
bit
of duct tape on them) were a "makeshift device" and weren't allowed on the
plane, and therefore, for some reason I had to put the WHOLE BAG in the
checked luggage. They wouldn't let me just get rid of the cables. Trust
me,
anything that looks at all modified or homebrewed will set them off.
Unless
you don't mind taking your shoes off and waiting for 20 minutes, be
careful
what you try to bring through security!

-Greg


"TooManyRadios" wrote in message
...
In article , AB7RU
writes:

am flying out tomorrow on a vactiontion and want to take along my
FT-50 ... I had repacked the battery case on it with new AA nimh cells
and just have it taped back together. I am wondering if security might
wonder why its taped up.

Depends. If you're a white guy, you will likely be detained and
questioned.
If you "appear to be of Arab descent", they won't dare bother you...lest
you
hire an ACLU lawyer and file suit for "racial profiling."

I haven't traveled much in years, at least by air. But considering all
this 'security' stuff I am glad they are that picky.

If you consider things. A ham radio HT could be used as a terroristic
device. Without changing a thing. They need to communicate you know.

Dan/W4NTI

"Greg Courville" wrote in message
...
I have had BAD experiences with airport security...
I once brought along a couple of battery cables in my computer bag, and
they
stopped me, and swabbed my shoes, my computer, my computer bag, and every
item in it for explosives! Then they said that my battery cables (had a
bit
of duct tape on them) were a "makeshift device" and weren't allowed on the
plane, and therefore, for some reason I had to put the WHOLE BAG in the
checked luggage. They wouldn't let me just get rid of the cables. Trust
me,
anything that looks at all modified or homebrewed will set them off.
Unless
you don't mind taking your shoes off and waiting for 20 minutes, be
careful
what you try to bring through security!

-Greg


"TooManyRadios" wrote in message
...
In article , AB7RU
writes:

am flying out tomorrow on a vactiontion and want to take along my
FT-50 ... I had repacked the battery case on it with new AA nimh cells
and just have it taped back together. I am wondering if security might
wonder why its taped up.

Depends. If you're a white guy, you will likely be detained and
questioned.
If you "appear to be of Arab descent", they won't dare bother you...lest
you
hire an ACLU lawyer and file suit for "racial profiling."

If you put it in your carry-on luggage and pass it throught the x-ray you
should be OK ... I would have a copy of my license and allow a little
extra time at the security check point in case they want you to take it
out of the bag, turn it on and show them some evidence that it works
as they would expect ...

I travel with a backpack station (FT-817, auto-tuner, various chargers,
balun, coils of coax and wire, etc. quite frequently ... I often am asked
to allow a visual inspection after the x-ray, but after that it's not a big
deal. Just takes a few minutes, even with all that stuff ... an HT should
not be a big deal.

As far as the tape goes, if the battery pack runs the radio as expected,
doesn't look suspicious on x-ray, and you explain, I think that will be
OK. (YMMV ...)

73,
Carl - wk3c

"AB7RU" wrote in message
...
I am flying out tomorrow on a vactiontion and want to take along my
FT-50 ... I had repacked the battery case on it with new AA nimh cells
and just have it taped back together. I am wondering if security might
wonder why its taped up. Anyone have experience with trying to fly
with amateur gear thats not exactly off the shelf condition if you
know what I mean (ie homebrew gear, qrp etc)
THanks for any advice, Mike AB7RU
PS I am not checking in luggage - just carry on.

If you put it in your carry-on luggage and pass it throught the x-ray you
should be OK ... I would have a copy of my license and allow a little
extra time at the security check point in case they want you to take it
out of the bag, turn it on and show them some evidence that it works
as they would expect ...

I travel with a backpack station (FT-817, auto-tuner, various chargers,
balun, coils of coax and wire, etc. quite frequently ... I often am asked
to allow a visual inspection after the x-ray, but after that it's not a big
deal. Just takes a few minutes, even with all that stuff ... an HT should
not be a big deal.

As far as the tape goes, if the battery pack runs the radio as expected,
doesn't look suspicious on x-ray, and you explain, I think that will be
OK. (YMMV ...)

73,
Carl - wk3c

"AB7RU" wrote in message
...
I am flying out tomorrow on a vactiontion and want to take along my
FT-50 ... I had repacked the battery case on it with new AA nimh cells
and just have it taped back together. I am wondering if security might
wonder why its taped up. Anyone have experience with trying to fly
with amateur gear thats not exactly off the shelf condition if you
know what I mean (ie homebrew gear, qrp etc)
THanks for any advice, Mike AB7RU
PS I am not checking in luggage - just carry on.

I thought I would post a followup on this...
I deceided not to try and take the HT as a carry-on and just put it in
some checked in baggage - on both flights out and coming back though
the suitcase was checked by TS and they left a little card indicating
that they had checked it. I also had some battery holders with the HT
that had alligator clips on the ends along with a MAHA charger - I am
sure seeing the jumble of wires and alligator clips and a taped
together Nicad pack for the FT-50 got them excited
Mike AB7RU

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 19:53:16 -0400, "C.L."
wrote:


"AB7RU" wrote in message
.. .
I am flying out tomorrow on a vactiontion and want to take along my
FT-50 ... I had repacked the battery case on it with new AA nimh cells
and just have it taped back together. I am wondering if security might
wonder why its taped up. Anyone have experience with trying to fly
with amateur gear thats not exactly off the shelf condition if you
know what I mean (ie homebrew gear, qrp etc)
THanks for any advice, Mike AB7RU
PS I am not checking in luggage - just carry on.

I had a similar problem with a "fire" pager "prior" to 9/11 - and I wasn't
even flying, just going to the gate. I believe the trick was, to get it to
make noise, show them what it is used for. Tell them it is in there, explain
it to them... The x- rays should pick out the batteries, show they can be
removed. Maybe tell them that it is similar to the radios they are holding.
Show proof of your license if need be. BUT don't be expected to be allowed
to use it on board. Last I recall, that was a huge NO...... C.L.