[Elecraft] Re: KX1 and airport security

[Rick Hampton]

Hi, guys.

I took my KX1 to Ft. Myers, FL in February.  Had nary a problem.  The
KX1 with lithium AA cells, wire antenna, counterpoise, and all
accessories were
in a Pelican case with a clear top.   My laptop and shoes got swabbed
for traces of explosives, but the radios (I also had my W32A with me)
were
cleared with little or no concern.

The same was NOT true when I went to park my car in an underground
garage at a large banking institutions sky scraper here in Boston while
with my
family.  In spite of the three backpacks in the back of my station
wagon, the guard froze when he saw the KX1 it it's case.  He got REALLY
excited and
began pointing at it, yelling, "WHUT ISS DAT?", over and over as he
backed away from the car.  My 14 year-old son got out of the car to see
what he
was upset over and when he tried to pick it up and show the guard it was
only a radio, the guard got even MORE excited, screaming "NO!!! LEAVE IT
'LONE!!!".  About 5 minutes later, after finally getting him calmed
down, he finally, and hurriedly, motioned us on through the checkpoint. 
Thank
goodness he didn't have a firearm with him.  He probably would have
drawn it from it's holster.

After all that, he never did look at any of the backpacks, only the
KX1.  I guess the packages don't matter unless they LOOK like a bomb. 
One thing
is for sure, if I DO have to go into Boston during the last week of July
when the DNC is in town, I'll leave the KX1 behind.  I may be crazy, but
I'm
not stupid!

Wayne, maybe you should stencil every KX1 with the notice, "This is NOT
a BOMB!" ;-)

Rick Hampton, WD8KEL

W2BJ wrote:

> I recently took a trip and did not take my KX1 because I was concerned about
> potential problems at the airports.  I would like to hear about the
> experiences of others who have traveled by plane with ham equipment.
> Thanks!
>
> 72/73,Barry J. Minsky, W2BJ ARRL, QRP ARCI #8871,
> NorCal #1560, QRP-L, FISTS #2701, Century Club
> #569, Platinum #51, Silver #119, FISTS CW Club of
> Coastal Georgia, Knightlites, Adventure Radio
> Society #359, QCWA #29298, OOTC #3723, SOC #193,
> K2 #577, K1 #98, KX1, Rock Mite