With the ARRL 10meter contest fast approaching, I thought I'd share a bit about the VP2VGG contest station that you may encounter on the air, and how it got to the BVIs in one piece.
One major challenge to overcome... how to get a Flex-6500 (and associated cables, adaptors and support devices) safely from the SF Bay Area, to Anegada BVI... in spite of the fact that one way travel involves a train, 3 aircraft, 2 boats and a taxi.
Unfortunately, the Flex is too large to be packed in any carry-on sized luggage, so a more creative solution was undertaken in order to have the rig survive the trip. First, I had to find a suitable case...

I selected the Pelican 1600, as it was the smallest case that would safely contain the rig, while also leaving additional space for other equipment required to operate the rig. Including:

The final case, with foam and gear. The bottom of the case holds a parts box for all of the converters, cables, fuses, and other parts that you always need when operating.

Above the parts box, the center cavity holds the radio, with additional cutouts to the rear of the rig to protect the RCA, BNC and PL-259 connectors from damage. A lid organizer holds all of the cables, foot switch, mic, and other items.

All parts of the station run from either 5v USB, or standard 12v - with the exception of the laptop, which will run off of 120v. There are no wall warts or other noise sources to introduce QRM.
All in, the case, foam, and all the gear weighs in at less than 40 lbs. Well within the size and weight limitations for checked baggage.
If you hear VP2VGG on the bands this week, please give us a call. Would love to have more Flex contacts this year!
73,
Robert
One major challenge to overcome... how to get a Flex-6500 (and associated cables, adaptors and support devices) safely from the SF Bay Area, to Anegada BVI... in spite of the fact that one way travel involves a train, 3 aircraft, 2 boats and a taxi.
Unfortunately, the Flex is too large to be packed in any carry-on sized luggage, so a more creative solution was undertaken in order to have the rig survive the trip. First, I had to find a suitable case...

I selected the Pelican 1600, as it was the smallest case that would safely contain the rig, while also leaving additional space for other equipment required to operate the rig. Including:
- Flex-6500
- Flex Control (USB)
- NetGear ProSafe GS105E 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch (12V)
- ALFA R36 802.11 b/g/N Repeater and Range Extender (12V)
- ALFA AWUS036H USB WiFi Adaptor (USB)
- 9 dBi Omni WiFi Antenna
- West Mountain Rigrunner 4005 (12V)
- Windcamp FT-8x7 Headset/PTT/CAT Adapter (RIG)
- Rig keying foot switch
- KVE60C Pocket HF Antenna Analyzer (USB)
- MFJ-260C Dummy Load
- Various adaptors, cables and other devices required to operate a remote station

The final case, with foam and gear. The bottom of the case holds a parts box for all of the converters, cables, fuses, and other parts that you always need when operating.

Above the parts box, the center cavity holds the radio, with additional cutouts to the rear of the rig to protect the RCA, BNC and PL-259 connectors from damage. A lid organizer holds all of the cables, foot switch, mic, and other items.

All parts of the station run from either 5v USB, or standard 12v - with the exception of the laptop, which will run off of 120v. There are no wall warts or other noise sources to introduce QRM.
All in, the case, foam, and all the gear weighs in at less than 40 lbs. Well within the size and weight limitations for checked baggage.
If you hear VP2VGG on the bands this week, please give us a call. Would love to have more Flex contacts this year!
73,
Robert