On Mon, Mar 21, 2011 at 11:26 AM, Lance Collister <[email protected]> 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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
