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...

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.