[Elecraft] How do you travel with the K2?

[Don Wilhelm]

David,

There is a large variety of cases that will do the task, just select 
whichever one pleases you.  As long as the case will survive without 
great damage, your K2 tucked inside it will survive too (if properly 
supported).

As far as packaging goes, I learned long ago when I was packing fragile 
tradeshow exhibit materials, that if the object (K2 in this case) is 
supported at the corners only, that is the very best packaging support 
system - it allows both the container flat surfaces and the item 
enclosed to move slightly and will survive impact quite nicely.  If you 
notice how fragile electronics items such as LCD displays and TVs, you 
will find the same supporting techniques.  If you attempt to provide 
support over an entire flat surface, that surface is prone to distortion 
in case of an impact.  Remember that the corners are the strongest 
points in any packaging system.

So inside use whatever packaging you choose, support the K2 with 
something relatively rigid (like high density foam) at the corners and 
if you just like complete coverage, use soft foam at other places. 
Remember that you are not 'padding' the K2, you are 'supporting' it and 
you will achieve the most durable package.

Remember that the K2 can be damaged by an impact to the front panel or 
the rear panel more so than any other surface, so envision your 
packaging being dropped or set down hard - package the K2 in the 
directions where the front and rear panels are NOT directly in-line with 
the more common impacts - usually that means to package it 'sideways' in 
your crating package.  The top, bottom and side panels will survive much 
greater impact than either the front or rear.

73,
Don W3FPR

David Fleming wrote:
> It's mighty quite around here all of a sudden.
> 
> I'll be taking the K2 with me and the family on vacation this summer.
> I'm trying to come up with a good way to package the rig for the
> flight. I've never traveled with a radio before. I'll be taking the K2,
> KAT100-1, MFJ-4225MV (I know, but it seems to be a fairly decent little
> power supply), headset/mic, bencher paddles, cables, wire, some tools,
> etc. My first thought was to give everything a good bubble wrapping and
> put it all in a sturdy (hard shell) suitcase and be done with it. But I
> can't treat my K2 that way. I'm thinking the best solution (within
> reason) would be to buy a Pelican 1650 with the pluck foam and make a
> nice cubby hole in the foam for everything. Or I could put the K2 and
> KAT in a much smaller case and take it carry-on and put everything else
> in a suitcase. Those Pelican cases are a bit pricey though. How do ya'll
> (yous guys) do it? 
> 
> -David W4SMT  
>