Usually, I pack a rig into the suitcase. Usually, this is

• a Xiegu X6100
• an Elecraft KX1 (homemade)
• an Elecraft K1 (homemade)
• an Elecraft K2 (homemade)
• a FT-818
• a FT-857

The selection depends on the circumstances. On a motorbike trip the rig must be extremely small. In this case I chose the KX1. Unfortunately a KX1 has a very small output power. It depends on the solar cycle, if this rig makes sense.

When travelling by plane, some more size, but not much more weight are acceptable. The choice is the X6100, a K1, the K2 or the FT-818.

The other end of the range is the FT-857 or the TS-480. Both are commercial radios with high output power, but the transceivers and the power supply have weight. This is nothing for flights.