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 On 3/21/2011 2:38 PM, Alexander Sack wrote: > Hello: > > I just bought a K3 (waiting for it to arrive by tomorrow afternoon) > and I'd like to use it as a semi-portable rig. I don't mean I am > going to be mounting in my truck but I'd like to it on trips with me. > I was just curious what you guys to for an all-in-one case? (K3, > power supply, any accessories, etc. etc.). > > Any suggestions would be appreciated? > > 73's, > > -aps (KC2ZSX) > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > -- Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex: WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX, 3D2LR) P.O. Box 73 Frenchtown, MT 59834 USA QTH: DN27UB TEL: (406) 626-5728 URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj LIVE MESSENGER CHAT: [email protected] SKYPE: lancew7gj 2m DXCC #11, 6m DXCC #815 Interested in 6m EME? Ask me about subscribing to the Magic Band EME email Google Group! (or click on the link at the bottom of my web page above) ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
