[sdiy] simple TTL OT

[Colin Hinz]

On Thu, 13 Nov 2003, Rude 66 wrote:

> i've carried several 'weird things' across customs in the us and europe.
> there was never a problem. but last year i'd already modified a speak & math
> in the states instead of here at home. when we went back, it almost made
> several security people go crazy..i had to explain like 4 times what it is
> and demonstrate it. with a speal & math that's easy, but with other diy
> stuff..;-)
> the US has changed a lot in recent times, and not for the better..

Last spring I brought home a Tek 468 'scope from Minneapolis. The
airport security gave it a close look (including the swab-down for
the chemical sniffer) but didn't ask me to turn it on. They asked
me what an "oscilloscope" was and I told 'em it was for troubleshooting
electronic circuits. They were happy with that much information.

I got pulled aside at the gate security check, though. I think they
were more interested in my shoes than the 'scope, FWIW. Just more
routine nuisance, really.

Canada Customs wasn't very much interested in it, either. I told
them that my valuation was a guess based on prices I'd seen on the
Internet and they were happy with that.

So in my case, bringing strange electronic gear onboard the plane
incurred only a small amount of nuisance -- but the looks and
comments made by other passengers were priceless!!

- Colin Hinz
  Toronto, Canada