[Elecraft] Batteries and transmitters on aircraft

[albers at embarqmail.com]

I may be mistaken but I thought I saw a recent posting (or two) saying that batteries could only be transported in carry-on luggage, and that transmitters were not permitted in carry-on.  I’m planning a trip to Little Cayman next month and will be taking my KX-1 (yes, I did get the necessary Radio Apparatus Importation Certificate from the Cayman gov’t). When I travel I take the KX-1 in my carry-on. But I have a large diving light with rechargeable battery (NOT Lithium) that goes in my checked baggage, with the battery connector unplugged so it can’t turn on accidentally – in addition for using the light for night dives, I use the battery for 12V power to the KX-1.

I’ve just pored over the restrictions on the TSA website and could find no prohibitions against what I plan to do. The TSA site says check FAA for any other restrictions. If you click on prohibited items on the FAA site, it links you back to the same TSA list. There is, however, a separate PDF on the FAA site on batteries, and this, too, doesn’t seem to prohibit what I’m doing. There are restrictions on Lithium batteries but that’s not what I’m taking. TSA does have a link called “Safe Travel with Batteries & Devices” that suggests keeping batteries in carry-on (so flight attendants can put out the fire!) but this seems to be only a suggestion, not a requirement.  I see nothing at either site about transmitters (other than cell phones, of course)

If anyone knows of something I missed, would you please e-mail me or post a reply here?

Thanks and 73
Ray K2HYD  (KX-1 #608)

PS – not sure what my operating schedule will be, but look for me as ZF2RA between 3 and 9 March.