[Elecraft] Travel advice

[Don Wilhelm]

Bernie,

I will answer only for the packing, you handle the travel part!

No matter what kind of case you choose, pack the K2 sideways when opening
the case with the carry handle toward you.  The front knobs and the rear
panel jacks are the most vulnerable parts of the K2 - the side panels can
take a greater impact with no adverse effects.  The hardest bump the case
will likely encounter is when you set it down after carrying it by the
handle, so be certain the forces are to the sides.

If you really want the best impact resistance - support only the corners,
not the entire side (or top or bottom or any single panel).  The corners
will accept more impact and contrary to common belief, padding a panel along
its entire length can distort the panel in an impact where supporting it at
only the corners will allow the crating container to distort a lot before
contacting the panel in the center.

If you need to be convinced, I suggest you take a piece of metal, support it
on the corners only and try to distort it by pressing on any of the
supports - then try putting a soft pad (similar to foam padding normally
used in a case) across the entire panel - press on the center of the panel -
you will find the panel will distort easily in the second condition and will
usually escape unharmed by the first method.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> I am going to be going on a combined work and vacation trip in February,
> including Hawaii during the ARRL CW dx contest, and plan to take
> my k2 with
> me.  (I'm not expecting in records, but it should be fun to make a few
> contacts.)  This brings up two questions which I know have been discussed
> occasionally in the past but which I would appreciate current
> thinking on.
> First, what is the best way to pack the radio, and second, has anyone had
> recent experience with airport security as far as carrying radios and
> associated equipment?  I would prefer to carry the K2 with me rather than
> trusting it to the baggage system, but don't want get stuck at
> the security
> station.
>
>
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.12/628 - Release Date: 1/15/2007
11:04 AM