Hi Tom, a great report…and very interesting. Loved the photos too.
Cheers: Geoff vk3sq
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Cheers Geoff. It was a very different experience of SOTA to the vast majority of my previous 3K+ activations! I know Richard @G3CWI is an advocate of activating by bus, and going back a few years, I recall two chaps Roy G0HDX and Phil G1OPV that used to do this regularly. It’s definitely the most walking I’ve ever done (7 miles) to activate the two IOW summits - and definitely the best day I’ve had activating them.
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I’m now thinking I have time to do Kinder Scout G/SP-001. Lools like it will just need a 2m handheld to do the job, which will make life easier at the airport.
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I was quite pleased to note that a future cruise we have planned calls within striking distance of a few foreign SOTA summits. So I wrote to the company seeking permission to bring my portable HF radio onboard (specifying that it wouldn’t be used onboard, but only when I was ashore).
Response received today:
“Thank you for contacting ….
The radio device you mention is prohibited onboard on ships. I appreciate you state you only wish to use it ashore however, we will not allow you to bring it onboard.
I am sorry if this is disappointing but please note that luggage is scanned prior to being brought onboard and any prohibited items found will be confiscated without the possibility of return.
I sorry this may not be the answer you are looking for however, I do hope you have a wonderful cruise.
Kind regards,
Guest Services”
must be a different company than you sailed with Tom!
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…or perhaps more likely that lots of new rules have come in since recent incidents in the Middle East.
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Do they think its a Handy ?
As Tom said it might be new rules and they may clarify what is / not permitted in due course.
I don’t know Stewart. The rule pre-dates recent Innovative Electronic Devices; and to be honest there are plenty of potential hiding places in a 30Kg luggage allowance without messing with a KX2. I was just a bit disappointed that their response seemed to be just a blanket repetition of the rules and a threat should I try to ignore the rules. I might try the local SOTA community nearer the time and see if anyone will take pity on a radio-less would be activator 
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That’s worked very well for me in the past. Great fun meeting up with local Operators too.
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On the road with “A Vision of Elvis” morning, and for the next three days. Andover tonight. That suggests an en route activation of Walbury Hill G/SE-001.
I’ve got the APRS running from the Yaesu FTM100D so my progress may be tracked via aprs.fi – live APRS map