[CTSARA] Radios on a plane

[Jim Markus]

In the past, I have carried an FT-817, portable HF antenna (one of the
tapped loading coil and collapsible whip types), and a small (5AH) gel cell
battery in my carry-on luggage.  I was asked once for my license at
LaGuardia, but they were more interested in the battery, or more precisely
that it wasn't an explosive.  On the return trip from Ft. Lauderdale, they
just "swabbed" the battery.  On a similar trip, the TSA agent had more
questions about long distance contacts than anything else.

	
Jim



Motto To Live By: Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the
intention of arriving safely in an 
attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways,
chocolate in one hand, a martini in 
the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO
HOO!!! What a ride!" 

-----Original Message-----
From: ctsara-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:ctsara-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Sander Pool
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2012 2:21 PM
To: ctsara
Subject: Re: [CTSARA] Radios on a plane


Hi,

I often hear "carry your license" but does anyone have any first hand
accounts that carrying a license made a difference? You do not need to hold
an amateur license to own nor transport a ham band transmitter. You can even
use it as a receiver without a license. If they have a problem with the
equipment you're trying to carry on board I don't see how a ham license will
help. Either they believe the equipment is harmless to the plane or they
believe it's potentially harmful.

I've often carried my HT on a plane and it's never been questioned. I don't
carry my license. No one but the FCC cares that I have one. As far as the
TSA is concerned you have a piece of electronics in your carry on and it
powers up on demand if it is battery powered. The airline reminds you it
needs to be powered down for the duration of the flight.

My advise: pack your radio well and send it through the x-ray machine by
itself. Politely answer any questions they may have about the equipment. 
Most likely they'll ignore it completely. It looks like a piece of AV
equipment to them, nothing special. The x-ray will show it does not contain
explosives nor hidden weapons. That's all they care about.

In case of doubt, contact the TSA directly but I'm afraid that won't be a
pleasant experience.

73s,

     Sander W1SOP

On 12/5/2012 2:03 PM, O'Connor, Tony wrote:
> I travel regularly with my HT in carry-on luggage and never had a problem,
even internationally, but I've never tried to carry on HF equipment. Have a
copy of your license in your wallet and maybe take a HRO catalog and/or a
QST so you can explain what you're carrying.

______________________________________________________________
CTSARA mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ctsara
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:CTSARA at mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html