[Elecraft] KX2 on commercial airplane

[Geert Jan de Groot]

> I tried telling the TSA guy a little box of electronics and such was for my hearing aid.
> He thought I was spoofing him and called his supervisor when he asked if it received Fox News, and I said not in my house. I explained it was the Bluetooth gear for broadcasting TV audio into the earpiece. A little demo for the TSA folks was cordial but I almost missed the flight.
> One step for man, a giant step for mankind.

There are restrictions on LiPo batteries for a reason. Restrictions on 
maximal capacity of the battery and how the battery is packed - inside a 
radio OK, loose not OK.

I am pretty sure the KX2 with built-in cells is OK since these can be 
sent unrestricted in mail. The Bienno may or may not be - bigger 
capacity, loose battery, and the cells are only protected by plastic 
foil. If the cells get crushed in your carry bag, what happens?

If you've ever had a LiPo go rogue on you you will understand why TSA 
has issue with the possibility of LiPo incidents inside a metal tube you 
cannot step out of.

We as hams may "know it better" but the fact of the matter is that the 
TSA rules are there to keep flights safe. Trying to play them by telling 
them a lie is dishonest, dangerous and perhaps even illegal. *If* you 
know better, you should assist TSA in managing the risk, not lie to 
them, even if that means that you cannot carry the battery you want to 
carry.

I've carried some pretty interesting stuff over the years and always did 
so fully open. It has raised issues, there has been cases where a 
manager needed to get involved, but on a proper trip this was all 
prepared in advance (by asking the airline, not a mailing list) and 
everyone was happy with the approach and the preparation taken. I also 
found people to be pretty accommodating if asked correctly.

And if you feel otherwise and know it all better - it's a free world and 
everyone has an opinion! - then I kindly ask you to identify what flight 
you will be on so I will take the next flight, thank you.

73,

Geert Jan PE1HZG