[CQ-Contest] Bencher Paddles & Customs/TSA

[Steve London]

I always take my Bencher paddle carry-on to prevent damage, and yes,
security people always ask questions.  So what ?  They ask what it is.  I
tell them it's for sending Morse Code. Sometimes they swab it.  Sometimes
they don't. Then they let me go.  Never takes more than 2 or 3 minutes.
What's the big deal ?

On my recent trip to WRTC-2006 in Brasil, I took all cables, adapters,
accessories, paddles, etc. in a single carry-on bag.  It was totally stuffed
with bizarre looking stuff.  Except for DFW, getting through security never
took more than 3 minutes.  DFW took about 10 minutes of swabbing.  No big
deal.  I feel better that they actually are seriously checking funny-looking
items.

73,
Steve, N2IC

On 8/15/06, Jimk8mr at aol.com <Jimk8mr at aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> The multiple reports of Bencher paddles being examined by customs and
> security people is no surprise to me.  I had one attract the interest
> of  customs
> inspectors at the Toronto airport back in about 1980.
>
> However, if you are still lugging a Bencher around the world, I'd
> recommend
> you look into a K9LU Bulldog paddle.  I began using one for
> mobile  contesting
> a few years ago, to avoid the potential problems of a Bencher
> flying  around
> in case of an accident.  It is much smaller, lighter, and for use as  an
> auxiliary way of sending CW where a computer does most of the work, it
> does  just
> fine.  It weighs a couple of ounces, and packs quite nicely into
> a  generic
> prescription drug container.  In that packaging it won't fool an  X-ray
> machine
> but would probably not attract attention of human screeners.
>
> I use the version with a magnetic base.  There is also one with a  suction
> base. That may be somewhat larger, but is still far smaller and
> lighter  than a
> Bencher.
>
> I highly recommend the Bulldog paddle for traveling.
>
> 73  -  Jim  K8MR
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