bringing my gear into the U.S.A

[cjradloff76]

hello,

i have a question?

i have a backpack pack full of my dx-ing gear.
it contains 1 U.s DTV converter box (the insignia)
and 3 of my australian set top boxes (all DTV ones) maybe i should leave 2 at home.
my LCD TV
my portable power supply and batteries
and my antenna (UHF antenna) seems to work well on all bands.

would they (customs and dhs) let me into hawaii to dx for DTV reception.

or will they be suspicious.
help please.

Thanks
Clinton

[cd637299]

I myself wouldn't risk it.....

I took a flight to Bermuda in 2005 for daytime AM DXing. Seemed to me that I could see inspectors staring at my bags with equipment (which consisted of 2 Superadios, Kaito 1102, 12 D batteries, Select-a-Tenna & tape recorder). They did pass through, but I was a bit concerned.

In 2004 I flew to the US Virgin Islands, to try some TV/FM DX in addition to AM. What I did, was before I flew, I called the Christiansted Radio Shack to see if they had an outdoor antenna and mast. Together it was less than $100, and I certainly could not carry an antenna on the flight---so I bought it there, used it there, and then simply donated it to a casual DXer (who happened to live on a mountaintop----lucky dude)!

Sad to say, we are in a post 9/11 world, and one just can't take chances anymore. BTW, I left Sydney for home in 2002, and IIRC, they really checked us out.

Best thing, IMO, is to call the airline or airport prior to the flight. GET NAMES if they say it's okay.

Have a safe trip. BTW if Hawaii, by all means try AM DXing. Never been there, but oh boy.....!

cd

[cjradloff76]

i intend to try AM DX to see if i can get whispers from our transmitters here in brisbane recieved in Hawaii at night. it would be very exciting to recieve australian radio from the island of hawaii. im looking at a sangean ATS-909 multi-band reciever to try for some AM/FM/SW/LW dx from my 2 locations in hawaii in november. ill be staying in a backpackers hostel. has anyone ever DX'ed on the islands before. hawaii, guam etc where the tropospheric ducting is rampart. Clinton

[John Wilke K9RZZ]

Try seaching tips for DXpeditions:

http://www.dxholiday.com/dxresources.htm

USA Customs Tip (for USA residents only):

For those of you who have not taken equipment out/in of the country, you might be interested in obtaining a certificate that will eliminate any hassles upon returning to the USA. If US Customs officials suspect your equipment was purchased overseas, they will try to collect taxes from you. You could just travel with your US sales receipts, but I prefer not to. Or you can go to the customs office at any airport and get a "Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad". To obtain this certificate, you must bring your equipment to the customs office at any airport. They will look at the equipment, and record the equipment name and serial number on the form (I don?t think sales receipts are required, as they presume that if you have the equipment in the USA, you already paid taxes on it. You might want to call the customs office before you go just to reconfirm).

By having this certificate, it shows that you have purchased the equipment in the USA, so airport Customs officials cannot ask you to pay taxes on it upon returning to the USA. This is not mandatory, but it is recommended on newer equipment (don?t worry about old equipment, but it doesn?t hurt to get it registered). A few times I have been hassled by US Customs officials when they thought I bought the equipment overseas... When I had the certificate, I just flashed it when they asked to search my stuff, and they just passed me through without examining any of the equipment.

If you do get one of these certificates, the certificate is good for life. Some customs officers do not know this, and have tried to take the certificate from me, thinking it was for one-time use. If they try to take it from you when you return to the US, politely tell them that you should keep the form, and it is good for life.

http://www2.arrl.org/news/features/1999/0216/1/

[Airport Security
I'm often asked about airport security. Remember that I'm carrying a complete amateur radio station in my carry-on luggage. Does that tote bag trip off alarms at the X-ray security check? I have had a variety of different experiences with airport security. I once carried an ICOM IC-751 through two X-ray checks on my way to China without arousing any suspicions. Likewise, on a recent trip to France, I walked through several security checks without being questioned. On a trip to St. Pierre et Miquelon, however, I was repeatedly detained at security checks in Canadian airports. Each time I had to totally unpack my carry-on luggage and explain the contents. Once I was asked to produce a business card (apparently urban terrorists don't carry business cards!) It's a good idea to allow extra time between connecting flights.

No one at any foreign customs offices has ever been interested in my luggage, however. My amateur equipment has never aroused any more curiosity than a 35-mm camera. If in doubt, you should attempt to declare your equipment. It should be obvious at the airport if this is required.

[cd637299]

It's late & I should be hitting the sack...but wow I gotta check out more on the DX Holiday site! That's nothing short of awesome....

cd