Flying with a ham radio.

[ems82494]

Hello all on the forums,
I will be flying back home after a vacation in north Carolina, Im looking for a little insight on considerations a should take as I will be flying with three HTs in my checked baggage. Any advice on the best way to have them in there and not cause any trouble with security would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Evan KC2USH

 

[Rob_K]

I've flown 3 or 4 times with an HT and scanner with accesorries. I just keep them in a seperate container within my luggage(easier for me; I don't do it for security).

You should have no problems in a checked bag.

 

[zz0468]

I'd keep in carry-on luggage, for the security of the radios. I've never heard of anyone having any problems, just be prepared to turn them on at security. And a copy of your ham license in case you need to show anyone WHY you have 3 HTs. I just went through customs and security with a bunch of stuff that looked funny on the x-ray, and a quick and cheery unzip of my bags so they could see was all it took.

 

[popnokick]

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No TSA probs whatever with radios in your checked baggage. HOWEVER, beware that the fine print on airlines' damage/loss liability for items in checked baggage specifically excludes jewelry, photographic equipment, and electronic equipment - the latter which includes your amateur radio gear. Lost, broken, or damaged in your checked bag, you'll be SOL.

 

[KG4INW]

I've always carried them with me instead of checking them solely for making sure they arrived in one piece! I've carried as much as 3 radios in my backpack and the most they've asked me are, "What are these for?"

"I'm a licensed ham radio operator"

"Oh, OK."

 

[N0VK]

HF Gear On Board

I have flow many flights, a few from the Caribbean, with HT and and FT-857D and a power supply on my carry on. I had a wire end fed antenna wrapped around an empty water bottle. I had a dozen AA batteries and a tuner. They look at it and asked what it was. I told them and produced my original ham license. No problems!

NØVK

 

[mkh]

I have flow many flights, a few from the Caribbean, with HT and and FT-857D and a power supply on my carry on. I had a wire end fed antenna wrapped around an empty water bottle. I had a dozen AA batteries and a tuner. They look at it and asked what it was. I told them and produced my original ham license. No problems!

NØVK

I'll bet that looked funny on their Xray machines.

 

[bezking]

I brought an XTS5000, Astro Saber, EFJ 5100, and VX-7R home from Dayton. The TSA pulled me off to the side, hand-inspected my bag, re-ran the radios through the X-Ray and sent me on my way. I offered to produce my License Card and they didn't even want it. After they re-ran the radios they sent me on my way.

 

[elk2370bruce]

I've traveled both domestic and international for many years with scanners and ham equipment for many years. While going through TSA during an off-peak period, a TSA person did ask about my handheld unit. Turned it on and dialed in one of the nearby repeaters on 2 meters and let him talk to the guys on the air. Owing to the sensitivity of some airllines about electronic use in fluight, I keep my scanner batteries out of the rig and the antenna disconnected. Despite many flights over many years, I have not had any problems since none of my radios are turned on while in flight.

 

[SmitHans]

The times I have put my radios in checked baggage, I take the battery out. You don't want the thing to turn on inadvertently - voices or static coming from baggage WILL draw undesirable attention.

 

[ems82494]

thanks to all, it sounds much easier than I originally thought. thanks for all the input.
73s Evan KC2USH