Can the transponder work independently?
- Thread starter hoyden
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2005
- Messages
- 13,226
No, it can not. There is a TSO requirement that it shut down within a few seconds if it stops communicating with the pilot control device. Since you have no way to turn it on, off, or set the code without SkyView, and it has no altitude information without SkyView, it is much more problematic to have it transmitting than have it off.
If you have two SkyView screens they back one another up and either can keep the Transponder alive.
If you have two SkyView screens they back one another up and either can keep the Transponder alive.
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2005
- Messages
- 13,226
Wow, never been asked about dual transponders before!
We don't have specific support for this, but if you installed a switch that controlled where the serial data went from the SkyView, it would work. We don't lock to a serial number of a transponder, so as long as we are talking to one, that one will be working and the others will be offline. There's also a way to hook up two and switch between them in the setup menu, but this would not be a good way to switch in flight, although it would work great on the ground.
If you are serious about this we can help you out more. It's just not common to have this request in the homebuilt / light sport market where every dollar and ounce matters.
We don't have specific support for this, but if you installed a switch that controlled where the serial data went from the SkyView, it would work. We don't lock to a serial number of a transponder, so as long as we are talking to one, that one will be working and the others will be offline. There's also a way to hook up two and switch between them in the setup menu, but this would not be a good way to switch in flight, although it would work great on the ground.
If you are serious about this we can help you out more. It's just not common to have this request in the homebuilt / light sport market where every dollar and ounce matters.
Just trying to figure out where you stack up against others in the industry. For example, if one chooses to install one of the new Garmin GTN navigators alongside Skyview, then there are remote transponder options through either Skyview or the GTN. Yes, until somebody else shows that their remote transponder can work with the GTN, the all-Garmin option is more expensive, but it does also offer the higher-end possibilities of antenna diversity and/or dual transponders.
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2005
- Messages
- 13,226
I looked around and didn't see any reference that the GTN's allow dual transponders to be controlled by a single GTN. Also, the GTN only supports the GTX 32 or 33, and neither of those are diversity transponders.
Read the GTN Pilot's Guide -- particularly 2.1.1 Select Transponder. The GTNs fully support dual transponder configurations.
The GTX33D and GTX33D w/ ES are both (expensive) diversity transponders, and they work with GTN.
If Skyview fully supported dual transponders, it looks like a dual SV-XPNDR-261 installation would both cost less and weigh less than a single GTX 330 w/ ES installation, meaning that what once was a high-end luxury/safety feature could start to make sense for other than million-dollar planes.
The GTX33D and GTX33D w/ ES are both (expensive) diversity transponders, and they work with GTN.
If Skyview fully supported dual transponders, it looks like a dual SV-XPNDR-261 installation would both cost less and weigh less than a single GTX 330 w/ ES installation, meaning that what once was a high-end luxury/safety feature could start to make sense for other than million-dollar planes.
Thank you for clarifying the transponder's operation with respect to the Skyview. I plan to install the Skyview and remove my transponder, VOR receiver, attitude gyro, vertical speed, turn coordinator, and heading gyro. I will keep the airspeed and altimeter because I have panel space and those gauges do not require any additional support.
I was wondering if the Skyview was inop whether I could still fly day VFR. I am probably worrying about a problem that will most likely never happen, but I also understand what I will lose in consolidating the individual components into one.
Are the serial data formats to communicate with the transponder proprietary, or can I get them? I might consider making a simple pilot interface that could control the transponder.
I was wondering if the Skyview was inop whether I could still fly day VFR. I am probably worrying about a problem that will most likely never happen, but I also understand what I will lose in consolidating the individual components into one.
Are the serial data formats to communicate with the transponder proprietary, or can I get them? I might consider making a simple pilot interface that could control the transponder.
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2005
- Messages
- 13,226
Not all of the USA requires a transponder. I've flown from Tucson, AZ to Oshkosh, WI, with an INOP transponder. You can't go in Class B airspaces, but as long as you have a radio still working, that's your biggest restriction.
The transponder protocol is proprietary, plus, you'd need to have a calibrated and tested altitude encoder in your "simple" pilot interface, and a bunch of Mode-S configuration data too. If this is a serious concern of yours, a second transponder is a better choice. Just protecting against the SkyView failing is not protecting you against the transponder module failing.
The transponder protocol is proprietary, plus, you'd need to have a calibrated and tested altitude encoder in your "simple" pilot interface, and a bunch of Mode-S configuration data too. If this is a serious concern of yours, a second transponder is a better choice. Just protecting against the SkyView failing is not protecting you against the transponder module failing.
I live under Class B so the transponder is a daily way of life.
I didn't think about the other capabilities that are handled through the serial interface; I imagined I would simply input my transponder code. In any case I won't wonder further about transponder backup; if it is broken I won't be flying until it is fixed.
After all, I only fly with one engine and I don't ever contemplate having an extra or backup.
I didn't think about the other capabilities that are handled through the serial interface; I imagined I would simply input my transponder code. In any case I won't wonder further about transponder backup; if it is broken I won't be flying until it is fixed.
After all, I only fly with one engine and I don't ever contemplate having an extra or backup.
johnsteichen
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2010
- Messages
- 227
Hoyden
In my installation, I kept my vacuum horizon and altimeter, rather than airspeed. What do you really want in an IFR emergency? in an emergency you can approximate your airspeed from gps data and other sensory inputs
In my installation, I kept my vacuum horizon and altimeter, rather than airspeed. What do you really want in an IFR emergency? in an emergency you can approximate your airspeed from gps data and other sensory inputs
lwheat2083
Flying the Pulsar III
Re: Transponder check out
I have just installed the Dynon decoder with the Microair T2000 FSL Mose C. Is there any check out I can do except putting in the parameter specified for the Display. Thanks N852LW.
I have just installed the Dynon decoder with the Microair T2000 FSL Mose C. Is there any check out I can do except putting in the parameter specified for the Display. Thanks N852LW.
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2005
- Messages
- 13,226
Not sure I'm following. If your transponder can display pressure altitude, that will tell you what it's seeing. It will match what your Dynon displays when it's set to 29.92 (this is pressure altitude, by definition, and that's what's required by your transponder/the regs). If your transponder doesn't have a way of reporting what it's seeing, you'll need a shop that has a transponder tester to tell you whether the transponder is successfully receiving altitude.
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2005
- Messages
- 13,226
You do have to get a transponder check per 91.413 before you fly, and during that check they will tell you if everything is working OK.
Also, pretty sure the T2000 doesn't need the encoder converter. Did you connect 1 wire or 13 to your transponder?
Also, pretty sure the T2000 doesn't need the encoder converter. Did you connect 1 wire or 13 to your transponder?
jeffa
New Member
I don't have the specifics in front of me, but not all T2000s accept serial inputs. I can't remember if its a software mod level or starts and stops with certain serial numbers. I started with a T2000 (that do not accept serial data) and the Dynon encoder. Everything seemed to work fine on the display and the pressure altitude from the Skyview was right on. The T2000 failed its 91.413 check. Since I didn't want to deal with trying to have the unit repaired (problematic for many people I understand) and it didn't give me TIS traffic, I canned it before I ever took the first flight. The Trig/Skyview transponder has worked perfectly from day-one and the traffic is invaluable.