Transponder Status in Log File

[mikeschumann]

One of the columns in the Dynon User Data Log file is "Transponder Status". What is the definition of the various transponder status codes, in particular "1" and "3"?

 

[swatson999]

0-3. 0=SBY, 1= GND, 2=ON, 3=ALT ???

 

[Michael Jackson]

0-3. 0=SBY, 1= GND, 2=ON, 3=ALT ???

First off I don't know what those numeric codes stand for. However, I don't think your guess is correct. I have several copies of data logs where the code switches from 1 to 3 to 1, all while the plane is in the air.

-- Michael

 

[swatson999]

Mine shows 1 while taxiing, 3 for the entire duration of flight.

 

[preid]

Agree mine is on ALT all the time and it shows 3. Never see 1 or 2 0 is off

 

[kellym]

Agree mine is on ALT all the time and it shows 3. Never see 1 or 2 0 is off

If it is an ADS-B unit it is supposed to be on Auto, so that it reports on the ground when you are not in the air.
Dynon has auto switching with airspeed/alt data.

 

[preid]

Specifically for the US
Here is the current guidance from the AIM paragraph 4-1-20 (a)(3):

Transponder and ADS-B operations on the ground. Civil and military aircraft should operate with the transponder in the altitude reporting mode (consult the aircraft’s flight manual to determine the specific transponder position to enable altitude reporting) and ADS-B Out transmissions enabled (if equipped) at all airports, any time the aircraft is positioned on any portion of an airport movement area. This includes all defined taxiways and runways....

also SAFO 15006- https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avi...afety/safo/all_safos/media/2015/SAFO15006.pdf
“
Purpose: This SAFO advises all operators and pilots of the need to ensure that transponders are in the
altitude reporting mode whenever their aircraft is on an airport movement area at all airports.”

I personally leave my transponder on and in the ALT mode at all times.

 

[kellym]

Specifically for the US
Here is the current guidance from the AIM paragraph 4-1-20 (a)(3):

Transponder and ADS-B operations on the ground. Civil and military aircraft should operate with the transponder in the altitude reporting mode (consult the aircraft’s flight manual to determine the specific transponder position to enable altitude reporting) and ADS-B Out transmissions enabled (if equipped) at all airports, any time the aircraft is positioned on any portion of an airport movement area. This includes all defined taxiways and runways....

also SAFO 15006- https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avi...afety/safo/all_safos/media/2015/SAFO15006.pdf
“
Purpose: This SAFO advises all operators and pilots of the need to ensure that transponders are in the
altitude reporting mode whenever their aircraft is on an airport movement area at all airports.”

I personally leave my transponder on and in the ALT mode at all times.

IF you have a Mode C transponder, what you quote is correct. IF you have a Dynon Skyview system with a Dynon transponder, it is Mode S and ADS-B combined and it must be in the AUTO position. The ALT position falsely reports you in the air when you are in fact on the ground. All ADS-B systems are supposed to be set so that they automatically switch between airborne and ground modes automatically, whether that is with a squat switch on the landing gear or an air/data algorithm, which Dynon uses. I was stating what is correct for the Dynon transponder usage..should always be on Auto unless otherwise directed by ATC. The Auto position automatically reports altitude and whether airborne or not, it is more information than the Alt position gives.

 

[preid]

great explanation Kelly!
So in the end Mike, if you have a Dynon transponder 1 is ground and 3 is Altitude. Per Kelly it’s switching automatically for you, as for why mr Jackson is getting 1-3-1 in the air.. that doesn’t seem right hence my comment it should be 3 in the air all the time.

 

[swatson999]

IF the codes in the logfile are the same as the Dynon serial stream, which is what I was citing (hence the ??? after my post). In all likelihood, they are, but I couldn't locate anything in the documentation that explicitly states the values for the codes in the log file.

But as for the rest, yes...you should have it AUTO mode, not ALT. It's in the manual, actually.

AUTOMATIC (AIR DATA): The SV-XPNDR-261/262 automatically determines whether the aircraft is in flight or not by using a combination of GPS and air data changes from SkyView. Note that this option only works with SV-XPNDR-261/262 Software 2.02 or above. See SV-XPNDR-261/262 Software Updates below for more information about updating the SV-XPNDR-261/262 Software. This is the option that most SkyView systems should use unless they are required to use a Squat Switch.

 

[sailortaw]

For registration I have been asked what is the Protocol for the Dynon 262; Is it NMEA?

 

[jakej]

For registration I have been asked what is the Protocol for the Dynon 262; Is it NMEA?

NMEA does not apply, need elaboration on the 'protocol'. FYI - there is only serial data to/from the Txpndr for control from the Dynon & Gps (in the IFR environment) position input etc for ADSB out.

 

[Dynon]

For registration I have been asked what is the Protocol for the Dynon 262; Is it NMEA?

Not sure I follow - where are you seeing that?

 

[10driver]

Can someone provide some info about how the Dynon transponder (SV-XPNDR-261) collects altitude data that would normally be derived from an altitude encoder? Thanks.

 

[Dynon]

It is provided by SkyView via its connection to the transponder. In other words, the altitude you see in SkyView (well pressure altitude, which is what you'll see when set to 29.92) is what the transponder sees.

 

[10driver]

THAT makes sense. The narrative on page 15-5 of the SkyView System Installation Guide:

"Encoder Serial-to-Gray Code Converter
This section guides you through the installation of a Dynon Avionics Encoder Converter (P/N 100362-000). The Encoder Converter is an electronic device that receives the serial encoder data from a SkyView display and outputs standard Mode-C Parallel Gray code into your Mode-C SV-XPNDR-261/262."

Would seem to apply to NON-Dynon transponders being wired to the SkyView receiving data to the Mode-C Parallel Grey code. I think the paragraph should be changed to reflect that fact.