Xponder installation for a V2cxT

[Bob Caldwell]

Hi Folks,

I am about to install a xponder. I have read Eric's paper on the subject but still have a couple of questions specific to my ship.

1) Antenna type and mounting location? Coax routing to the antenna? I have heard some SH gliders mount the antenna under the glare shield but I would prefer not to RF myself too badly.
2) I have power to the transponder plug at the main BUS and a circuit breaker factory installed BUT it runs off the same battery as the rest of the avionics. Should I rewire to power it independently or just change batteries in flight if need be (I have plenty of batteries)?
3) Becker or ????
4) Encoder brand and mount location?

Thanks, any input is welcome.

Bob Caldwell

[Mike the Strike]

My recent Discus 2 installation may be relevant.

1) Blade antenna mounted at factory-recommended point on lower fuselage
adjacent to gear. Aluminum sheet ground plane inside fuselage. The
antenna's offset, but seems to work fine. Coax routed under the seat
pan with other wiring - nice and short and no interference from other
things.

One disadvantage of this location is that you need care when wheeling
the fuselage into and out of the trailer. I have seen others fit the
blade antenna on upper central fuselage above or just behind the wing.

2) I chose to use a separate battery (the one under the panel)
Powering the transponder and encoder gives me at least 12 to 15 hours
continuous use with the standard battery. I use three other batteries
for instruments (two over wheel and one in tail).

3) I have a Microair (got one relatively cheaply), seems to work well.

4) I use the ACK-A30. Cheap and cheerful and seems to have reasonable
power consumption.

If you e-mail the factory they will send you drawings and/or photos of
approved antennas and locations.

Mike

On Nov 24, 3:51 pm, Bob Caldwell
> wrote:
> Hi Folks,
>
> I am about to install a xponder. I have read Eric's paper on the subject but still have a couple of questions specific to my ship.
>
> 1) Antenna type and mounting location? Coax routing to the antenna? I have heard some SH gliders mount the antenna under the glare shield but I would prefer not to RF myself too badly.


> 2) I have power to the transponder plug at the main BUS and a circuit breaker factory installed BUT it runs off the same battery as the rest of the avionics. Should I rewire to power it independently or just change batteries in flight if need be (I have plenty of batteries)?
> 3) Becker or ????
> 4) Encoder brand and mount location?
>
> Thanks, any input is welcome.
>
> Bob Caldwell