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DIY transponder bench test

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CardinalNSB(at)aol.com
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 4:24 pm Post subject: DIY transponder bench test

I only own a  volt/ohm multimeter, I can borrow an oscilloscope if  that makes any difference.  How can I DIY bench test a transponder, at least to see if the cavity tube  is good?

 If good, I will take to a shop for a formal test. 

 Thanks, Skip



  



New year...new news.  Be taolcom00000026">headlines.

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jetboy

Joined: 22 Jul 2006
Posts: 233

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:36 pm Post subject: Re: DIY transponder bench test

sorry you can't test much at home on a transponder. Many units do not transmit when in 'test' or 'ident' so even if you have a reception device handy you wont find anything. However if you have an antenna connected and the unit gets interrogated by other sources you may be able to hear the HV power supply whistling under load as the cavity tube sends the reply. If its all hooked up to the encoder you may be able to get a check from a friendly TCAS equipped plane or a fellow aircraft owner that has a passive alert system available. Do not put any equipment or body parts too close to the antenna unless you were about to replace them anyway.



Ralph, radio tech & EMR worker

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Ralph - CH701 / 2200a

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 11:03 am Post subject: DIY transponder bench test

Remember if your encoder is not TCAS and not mode C it possibly can give low

flying transport planes a good fright if you are anywhere near a flight

path.  Best idea is to send the Xpndr to a shop for testing.  They have the

proper testing apparatus and I generally only takes a few seconds.  Easier

than that is to take a short flight and see if ATC copies your Xpndr.



Noel



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