[EIDXA] VP2V/AK0M

[Steve Sutterer]

For those of you that may be interested in my planned VP2V operation  
last week and during ARRL DX CW, it didn't happen.

TSA in Chicago refused to let me carry most of my gear onboard my flight,
causing a last-minute scramble for a way to get the gear there. It  
ended up loosely packed in a cardboard box that was checked through as  
luggage and things arrived in various states of operability. Then my  
other luggage with some of my antenna parts was lost for 4 days. By  
the time things arrived and I had enough of the other equipment  
usable, it was too late to be feasible to get set up and operate  
before my return. As ham radio was not the primary intent of my  
travel, it wasn't a major issue for me but bodes poorly for future  
operations. This is the first time that TSA has ever had any problem
with my equipment and is hopefully due to the specific manager (jerk)  
in Chicago that examined my carry-ons. Hopefully Andi DL2AU was able  
to meet the needs for VP2V. I will have more information on my website  
www.ak0m.com probably by tomorrow.

Perhaps more seriously, my fishing gear was in the lost luggage and  
was late getting there as well. Clothes too, but I did have a swimsuit  
and t-shirt packed in Sandy's carry-on so was in pretty good shape,  
and our snorkeling gear was in her checked bag which also arrived with  
us. Not to mention the mid-80 temps and sunshine which were already  
there...!

Next time (next year?) I'll do both the radio stuff and fishing gear  
differently but not yet sure exactly how.

73, Steve AK0M, C6ASB, VP2V/AK0M (almost)