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transponder recommendation

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echristley(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:40 pm Post subject: transponder recommendation

Transponders seem to be like hammers.  Everybody needs one, and within 

very wide limits it's hard to tell one from another.



I'm going with the Dynon EFIS, and it has serial output for an altitude 

encoder.  If I buy one that accepts serial input, I won't have to buy 

and maintain another piece of equipment to produce the Gray Code that 

most seem to want.  Other than that, I have no extraordinary 

requirements.  It'll squawk 1200 nearly always.  Maybe an occasional 

7500, if I have to point the nose at the beach instead of the mountains, 

because the wife is with me.  Power is a non-issue.  I live in the 

crowded east coast, and the annular slot antennae I built is supposed to 

give me 6dB of gain in the direction that ATC will be (down).



What is a good choice for a cheap, minimalist transponder that accepts 

serial input?

matronics(at)rtist.nl
Guest

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:41 am Post subject: transponder recommendation

Some regions in Europe are demanding Mode-S transponders as early as March 

2008, so expect used-but-good Mode-C transponders to show up soon on sites 

like Barnstormers.



If you need Mode-S in your area any time soon then you may want to look at 

Filser. Their TRT800 transponder has the encoder built-in, so only static 

pressure is needed. They have versions that fit 2 1/4" round panel cut-outs 

and versions that are drop-in replacement for the square boxes.



Rob

---

echristley(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:01 am Post subject: transponder recommendation

Rob Turk wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Some regions in Europe are demanding Mode-S transponders as early as 

 March 2008, so expect used-but-good Mode-C transponders to show up 

 soon on sites like Barnstormers.



 If you need Mode-S in your area any time soon then you may want to 

 look at Filser. Their TRT800 transponder has the encoder built-in, so 

 only static pressure is needed. They have versions that fit 2 1/4" 

 round panel cut-outs and versions that are drop-in replacement for the 

 square boxes.



 Rob


	


Thanks for the heads-up.  I'll just wait.



 	  Quote: 	
		  > 

> <echristley(at)nc.rr.com>

>

> Transponders seem to be like hammers.  Everybody needs one, and 

> within very wide limits it's hard to tell one from another.

>

> I'm going with the Dynon EFIS, and it has serial output for an 

> altitude encoder.  If I buy one that accepts serial input, I won't 

> have to buy and maintain another piece of equipment to produce the 

> Gray Code that most seem to want.  Other than that, I have no 

> extraordinary requirements. It'll squawk 1200 nearly always.  Maybe 

> an occasional 7500, if I have to point the nose at the beach instead 

> of the mountains, because the wife is with me.  Power is a 

> non-issue.  I live in the crowded east coast, and the annular slot 

> antennae I built is supposed to give me 6dB of gain in the direction 

> that ATC will be (down).

>

> What is a good choice for a cheap, minimalist transponder that 

> accepts serial input?

>

JOHN TIPTON

Joined: 17 Sep 2006
Posts: 239
Location: Torquay - England

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:31 am Post subject: transponder recommendation

Rob says: so expect used-but-good Mode-C transponders to show up

 	  Quote: 	
		  > soon on sites like Barnstormers


	


Yes: and e-bay



John  (England)

---

mwcreek(at)frontiernet.ne
Guest

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:32 pm Post subject: transponder recommendation

The Garmin GTX 320 while not the cheapest would be hard to beat for overall

value.  It is solid state so there are no cavity tubes to replace.



--

echristley(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:39 pm Post subject: transponder recommendation

Michel Creek wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 The Garmin GTX 320 while not the cheapest would be hard to beat for overall

 value.  It is solid state so there are no cavity tubes to replace.



   


	


Could you define what "overall value" means to you?



When I look at it, I see lots of expensive features that complicate the 

interface and will never be used beyond the "gee whiz" factor.  All of 

these $3000 to $6000 radios offering 'features'.  I just need something 

to transmit a number when interrogated.  The only 'feature' I'd like is 

a decent price (sub $1000) and for it to accept serial input so that I 

don't have to have another piece of equipment in the plane.  I mean, 

'cmon.  It's a simple radio.  Doesn't even need a tuner.  Its operation 

is so heavily prescribed, it can't help but be mundane and unglamorous. 



Gulf Coast Avionics is offering some simple looking Narco units for 

around $1300, but they all seem to want Gray Code.  I'm looking for 

something like my Icom-A200.  Low price.  Simple interface.  

Uncomplicated.  EASY!



[quote] --

mwcreek(at)frontiernet.ne
Guest

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:54 pm Post subject: transponder recommendation

The short answer is the cost of ownership (plus the inconvenience factor for

repairs, etc) over the expected life of the purchase.



For example the GTX 320A can be fed from your Dynon (using the $80 converter

previously mentioned in another post). When you consider the 320 does not

use a cavity tube, another maintenance headache is eliminated. Cavity tubes

can be expensive to replace and generate a lot of heat.  I looked at

purchasing several used KT76A transponders and they were going to run about

$900+ plus shipping. There was no telling how long any of these would run

before the cavity tube needed replacing.  I estimated the cavity tube would

cost overall about $300 to replace and I would have to do that at least once

in the next five years (probably much sooner), plus I would be getting a

piece of equipment with unknown history and potentially other problems (add

more $$$'s).  A new GTX 320A can be had for about $1,300 so why pay

basically the same price for a used piece of electronics with questionable

history and reliability concerns.  Buy good quality new equipment hook it up

and go fly.  You will have minimum down time and maintenance issues going

forward and that adds value IMOH (not to mention a warranty).  The 320A is a

very basic transponder without many bells and whistles.  See

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=198&pID=167



Check pricing at Stark Avionics: http://www.starkavionics.com/products.htm



The next step up the line which eliminates the Dynon converter is the Garmin

GTX 327 for about $1,450 - it does have some bells and whistles.  This is

also a good value IMOH when compared to the typical used and/or new market

(with cavity tubes).

--

mprather(at)spro.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:24 pm Post subject: transponder recommendation

The Garmin GTX-320(A - now) is a simple radio - no extra features - looks

much like the early analog King and Narco transponders.  The 327 has the

gee whiz features.

I recently purchased a Narco AT165 to replace my aging/ailing AT50A.  So

far, the performance seems very good.  I do kind the individual knobs like

the earlier designs had.

My Varieze has a Microair T2000 which so far has been trouble free..

Doesn't address the interface coding.

Matt-

[quote] 

 <echristley(at)nc.rr.com>

 Michel Creek wrote:

> 

> <mwcreek(at)frontiernet.net>

>

> The Garmin GTX 320 while not the cheapest would be hard to beat for

> overall

> value.  It is solid state so there are no cavity tubes to replace.

 Could you define what "overall value" means to you?

 When I look at it, I see lots of expensive features that complicate the

 interface and will never be used beyond the "gee whiz" factor.  All of

 these $3000 to $6000 radios offering 'features'.  I just need something

 to transmit a number when interrogated.  The only 'feature' I'd like is

 a decent price (sub $1000) and for it to accept serial input so that I

 don't have to have another piece of equipment in the plane.  I mean,

 'cmon.  It's a simple radio.  Doesn't even need a tuner.  Its operation

 is so heavily prescribed, it can't help but be mundane and unglamorous.

 Gulf Coast Avionics is offering some simple looking Narco units for

 around $1300, but they all seem to want Gray Code.  I'm looking for

 something like my Icom-A200.  Low price.  Simple interface.

 Uncomplicated.  EASY!

> --

longg(at)pjm.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:12 am Post subject: transponder recommendation

If you just buy the 330 you can plug the Dynon in directly and have TIS

too! Forget all the conversion stuff. It even displays the interrogated

altitude and provides audible alerts when you slip off your desired

altitude. To boot you get an S mode. Yup, it cost a little over 3k, but

then you really have a nice unit.



If I had the option, I would have two of them. I find transponders are

like step children - the most often forgotten part of the panel, but too

often the one piece of equipment providing the most grief when working

with ATC.



N... Please squawk again, N... Please squall again. N... Would you

please re-cycle your transponder, Sorry center I think I should re-cycle

my transponder blah blah and on and on. Naturally this only happens when

you and ATC are very busy. 



--

blackoaks(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:41 am Post subject: transponder recommendation

I agree, if you plan on flying much IFR, dual transponders are really nice touch, and for what you pay for the 330 you can have dual 327s.  Just a thought if having TIS isn't important to you for your planned operations. 



On 10/30/07, longg(at)pjm.com (longg(at)pjm.com) <longg(at)pjm.com (longg(at)pjm.com)> wrote:[quote] --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: <longg(at)pjm.com (longg(at)pjm.com)>



If you just buy the 330 you can plug the Dynon in directly and have TIS

too! Forget all the conversion stuff. It even displays the interrogated 

altitude and provides audible alerts when you slip off your desired

altitude. To boot you get an S mode. Yup, it cost a little over 3k, but

then you really have a nice unit.



If I had the option, I would have two of them. I find transponders are 

like step children - the most often forgotten part of the panel, but too

often the one piece of equipment providing the most grief when working

with ATC.



N... Please squawk again, N... Please squall again. N... Would you 

please re-cycle your transponder, Sorry center I think I should re-cycle

my transponder blah blah and on and on. Naturally this only happens when

you and ATC are very busy.



--

phil.merlin(at)skynet.be
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 1:22 pm Post subject: transponder recommendation

For Europe, there is  also the mode S TT31 from http://www.trig-avionics.com/, which  seems very interesting...

  

 Philippe

   [quote][b]

donaldjsmith(at)ukonline.
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 2:25 pm Post subject: transponder recommendation

3D----=3D_NextPart_000_0004_01C --

trigo(at)mail.telepac.pt
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 4:03 pm Post subject: transponder recommendation

3D----=3D_NextPart_000_0004_01C--

echristley(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:00 pm Post subject: transponder recommendation

Merlin wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   For Europe, there is also the mode S TT31 from 

 http://www.trig-avionics.com/, which seems very interesting...

  

 Philippe

Interesting.  But is there anyplace you can see the price of one?

matronics(at)rtist.nl
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:58 pm Post subject: transponder recommendation

---

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