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First...How not to pack an HPA for Shipment!

Styrofoam peanuts will NOT support the weight of your transmitters and they will find their way into every crevice of your HPA. I have received more damaged HPAs that were packed in peanuts than any other form of packing material. I don't care what the local UPS store or Mailboxes Etc. people tell you, DO NOT PACK HPAs IN PEANUTS!!! Unless you want to pay me my daily rate to clean up peanuts or disassemble your waveguides for cleaning, or pay for repairs for damages incurred in shipment, do not ship your equipment to me in that stuff! Even if you DO want to pay me to pick up the stuff and clean out your waveguide, DO NOT SEND ME YOUR EQUIPMENT PACKED IN PEANUTS. PLEASE!!!!! Peanuts only slow down and add expense to the repair process!!!

Now...How to pack your HPA for shipment!!!

You MAY use lieu of peanuts, rolled or folded corregated cardboard, foam, styrofoam blocks or virtually any packing material that is NOT PEANUTS!!! I highly recommend that customers use HPA manufacturer's shipping cartons with foam inserts. They probably don't cost any more than packing at a UPS Store and do a much better job. Camera Cases work well, also. If you have to ship from a UPS Store or Mailboxes Etc. type facility, make them use something other than peanuts and always be sure to put your HPA inside a garbage bag (prior to packing) to keep the insides and waveguide free of dirt, moisture and shipping materials. It's a good idea to put a piece of tape over the waveguide when shipping in any case.
With regards to your waveguide...you must support the HPA within the container in such a way as to keep the waveguide (or blower assemblies) from being “smashed” into the drawer in the event that the packed unit takes a “Hit” during shipment.

It’s a good idea to have a minimum of 4 inches of foam all the way around your unit.  Foam rubber can be obtained at almost any craft or sewing store that supplies material for making cushions.  You can also use insulating foam from Home Depot. It comes in 4x8 sheets and you can get it in 1” and 2” thicknesses. Try to use a 2” thick piece of foam rubber across the front panel to protect any handles, switches, meters, or displays from damage.  Use the denser foam from Home Depot to support the bulk of your unit within the case or cardboard box. If you use a cardboard box, it’s best to use a ‘double thick’ corregated cardboard. I know MCL uses the double thick in their boxes. They charge $150.00 for their box but you would probably get 4-6 shipments out of one of their boxes. They use the Stiff Packing Foam inserts that seem to hold up well in repeated shipments and are cut for the type of transmitter your are shipping. Their only catch is they have a $250.00 minimum order, so if you only order a box, you’ll probably pay $250.00 for it. I hope this helps!!!

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