XPDR timeout

[swatson999]

I actually miss the XPDR not "timing out" and going back to the previous page...can this be made optional?

 

[Jonas]

I agree.
More than a few times, I have been anticipating a code from a controller with the transponder page active, right as I press the first button to enter a number the screen reverts to the previous page and I accidentally select some other option, then I'm caught off guard fiddling around trying to get back to the transponder page...

 

[DBRV10]

I learned a lot from a very experienced aviator…….he said never key the mic without a pen in your other hand.

Now you could say that the keypad is the pen, but perhaps with your iPad and a scratchpad like in AvPlan, or heck even a pen. Like we were taught.

I have had it time out but I reckon if I can't do a 4 digit code to memory for several seconds……..maybe it is time to quit?

YMMV of course

I like the time out…..maybe as a compromise it could be extended 2 seconds?

 

[NASA515]

My problem is that if I have finger trouble as I enter the squawk code, I have to stop and wait for it to time out, so I can try again.  All the while, the controller is sitting there watching his scope and waiting for my code to pop up.

So extending the timeout time period would make that situation even worse.

Of course I know you other guys never have finger troubles....

Bob Bogash
RV-12
N737G

 

[DBRV10]

Bob, that is a very good point….the unintended consequence.

Myself I find it fine how it is.

 

[TRCsmith]

All the while, the controller is sitting there watching his scope and waiting for my code to pop up.

The ground controller is not waiting to see the code. He/she wants you to read it back knowing you have it and will imput it into the transponder befor you depart. They have other things to do! Also if you ask for the depture clearence and they immediatly start reading it and your not ready ask to "Please Stand By" they know you can get a little busy at times. I too would like to see a little more time before time out occures, five seconds more would be nice.

 

[TRCsmith]

I learned a lot from a very experienced aviator…….he said never key the mic without a pen in your other hand.

Very well said!

 

[NASA515]

All the while, the controller is sitting there watching his scope and waiting for my code to pop up.

The ground controller is not waiting to see the code. He/she wants you to read it back knowing you have it and will imput it into the transponder befor you depart. They have other things to do! Also if you ask for the depture clearence and they immediatly start reading it and your not ready ask to "Please Stand By" they know you can get a little busy at times. I too would like to see a little more time before time out occures, five seconds more would be nice.

This doesn't describe any of my operations, since I do not fly IFR and do not get clearances on the ground, or squawk codes - I get Flight Following - mostly on cross-countries, but often during local flying as well. 

After departure, I call ATC and request FF with my position, destination, and intended cruise altitude.  ATC responds with a squawk code.  I enter it (or "try" to enter it.)

As soon as I finish entering the code, the controller almost always comes back immediately stating "RV 737 Golf, radar contact, 2 miles north of Jefferson County, 2 thousand 6 hundred,  maintain VFR, maintain at or above 3500."  To which I reply "Roger the position and altitude, maintain VFR at or above 3500, 37 Golf."

He (or she) is indeed waiting for me to enter that code!

I fly in Class B, C, and / or  D airspace almost every time I fly.  I interact with ATC continuously as described above, and need some way to clear or back out of a mis-key'd code quickly.

Bob Bogash
RV-12
N737G