[Elecraft] Carrying case for a K3?

[Alexander Sack]

On Mon, Mar 21, 2011 at 11:26 AM, Lance Collister <w7gj at q.com> wrote:
> Hello Alexander,
>
> This is a problem I also am currently wrestling with.  The K3 (depending on
> options) weighs around 12 pounds by itself.  If you buy a good solid state
> switching power supply such as a 300w Meanwell HRP-300-12, you can get by
> adding only another 2-3 pounds if you include the power cord.
>
> For DOMESTIC carry-on luggage, that is not so bad, and you can easily fit it
> in a suitable carry-on bag.  For my last couple of DXpeditions, I lined the
> two roll-on carry-on bags for my wife and I with a foam pad from backpacking
> trips and other foam pieces as shown in this photo:
>
> http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj/K3CarryOn.JPG
>
> The amp and wattmeter are in the bag on the left.  The K3, switching power
> supply, box with the PR6, and some thin odds and ends are in the bag on the
> right.  Note that everything was wrapped in plastic bags to waterproof the
> equipment, and carefully padded, since there were two flights in smaller
> planes where they had to be checked as baggage.  I had no problems with this
> arrangement on two separate DXpeditions.
>
> HOWEVER, the total weight (including the roller-bags) of each of these was
> around 25 pounds.  Many international airlines only permit 15 pounds TOTAL
> WEIGHT for personal carry-on luggage, and they also have much smaller
> acceptable dimensions.  Since my current switching power supply and K3
> already exceed 15 pounds before adding any packing material or a bag, this
> is a real challenge.  The amplifier and wattmeter are in the same situation.
>  Obviously, the larger switching power supply for the amplifier will have to
> continue to be shipped in a suitcase in checked baggage.
>
> I will probably have to invest in new MeanWell power supplies to shave off a
> few pounds, but still have the obstacle of needing to find some very durable
> but lightweight carry-on bag that will provide enough protection to be able
> to be checked, but still be small enough to meet the small size and weight
> requirements of new international airlines.
>
> It probably means no roller bags at all, and use of much smaller hard sided
> carry-on bags.  More of the fragile equipment (wattmeter, all power
> supplies, preamp, etc.) will have to go into checked baggage suitcases.  All
> I can say is that it doesn't take much of a case to bring your K3 up to 15
> pounds and exceed allowable international carry-on sizes!
>
> I have seen some small cases in airports that look like they would work, but
> I have not found a place to get one yet.  Please keep me posted as to what
> you come up with!  TNX and VY 73, Lance


Lance, thanks for the background.

Right now, my main goal is just to pack it in something I can carry
around with me but not necessarily on a plane (but if my setup can
serve this role, fantastic).

I guess I should be more specific about my requirements for storage
than having people shout random solutions:

- K3 unit with KAT3 (so I don't need a separate ATU, I sure hope not)
- Gamma Research HPS-1A supply
- Some portable battery supply (I have not decided yet)
- Buddistick Deluxe Package
- Power chords, feedline, MH2 mic, cables, miscellaneous smaller
items, maybe a smallish wattmeter, etc.

Future directions:
At some point, I'd like to add a Netbook with power supply in that mix
with possibly a  P3 or LP-PAN.  Sigh.  It never ends.  I already have
a large backback for computer stuff but something like the P3 or
LP-PAN would be a *nice to have* with the gear above.

The goal is to be able to pack up everything I need to deploy remotely
or bring with me on vacation (example, in the summer, I will be in
North Carolina for a week and I would like to operate.  Be great if I
had some kind of bag that could help me organize everything neatly).

Hope this make sense,

-aps