NOTE: Above list is subject to change. Scroll through posts for further details where added e.g. bags/radios swabbed, stopped, searched, questions asked etc to get an idea of any potential obstacles that may arise. NGS = Next Gen Scanners.
Hello!
Given the recent political situation involving handheld radios and pagers, does anyone know if any restrictions have come in to play at UK/Ireland airports?
Just asking as I donāt want my shiny new Yaesu taken off of me and destroyed when I go through airports this weekend and next week. Heading to the UK for work in Central London so want to take my HT and Uniden 125 to do some SWL and try some 2m QSOās - canāt use 70cm within 200km radius of Central London so I know that band is out of bounds for me to TX on.
Iām going in prepared to be questioned about it now more than ever before so have printed my Comreg license and exam pass letter to laminate and take with me.
Just wondered if itās even worth my while taking my radio now?
The very subject I was thinking about yesterday. My radio bags have regularly been swabbed for explosive residue at airport security. Iād expect heightened alertness and maybe more bags being selected for swabbing, but not a change in the rules on carrying batteries and radios on planes.
Remember, your electric tootubrush, mobile phone, hair straighteners(!) and camera all contain batteries and therefore could have been modified in the same way the icom HTās were.
Not true. You cannot use 431-432MHz within 100km radius of Charing Cross, but the rest of the band is not restricted. This means FM simplex and repeaters are fine.
Can these receive a remote instruction from Mossad to explode?
Thatās the one. My mistake. Thanks for the correction, I thought it was all of the 70cm bandwidth.
Going to take my FT65E and Uniden 125XLT over and weāll see what they say. Iām almost certain there will be questions regardless of the recent events.
Iām also heading to UK this Sunday from Munich with radio gear, so fingers crossed that I donāt get a misinformed officer at the security check. In Munich at least, they are more interested than officious when they find something they donāt recognise. When carrying radio gear I always allow a lot of time in case there is anything. It usually takes me more time to put my, belt, keys, phone, watch etc. back on than it takes them to scan my carry-on though.
What they will be like in the UK when Iām coming back - who knows? Iāll probably have to allow even more time for them, simply as there may be longer queues.
No, in 1996 the Israeli Shin Bet gave a phone to a Hamas informant telling him it was bugged so they could listen to the calls. It also contained explosives which was kept secret. The informant gave it to his nephew as he knew the phone would be used by a Hamas bomb maker. One day the Israeli Shin Bet rang the phone and claimed to be the bomb makerās relative, once the identity of the person talking was confirmed, the signal to detonate was sent and the phone exploded killing the bomb maker.
Yes, but the worst thing is a inexperienced officer having a bad day. I donāt expect problems but, as I said, I am prepared with documentation should there be any questions. The most important documentation being a copy of my amateur radio licence to justify why I have the equipment with me.
I donāt expect issues at the Munich end having passed through this airport many times, but who knows.
My experience is a group of careful, but polite, professionals who show a real interest when they see something unusual. By the way, I am NOT taking a HT with me.
Be polite and expect politeness in return is my approach.
And Iām not suggesting anything else - some on this list, have simply interpretted my words, in a different way to which they were intended.
I have respect for the officers in what at times can be a high-pressure (time constrained) work.
I certainly hope they will be āsafeā rather than sorry after the fact. - thatās not stupid in any way and it is to my benefit and to all other travellers.
What happens to items they donāt allow on board? If they think itās a risk do they still keep it? That wouldnāt seem very logical. If they keep it for you, do they charge you and how do you collect it?
