Which Transponder?

Hi All

I am contemplating getting a transponder for our LS3a. It seems the choice
is between either a 175W or 250W Becker "ATC 4401" unit or the Microair
"T2000".

Has anybody had first hand experience with any of the above?

What were your experiences, which unit would you recommend?

Which altitude encoder did you use?

What batteries do you use and how long do they last in flight?

Where did you mount the antenae?

Have you had any operational or reliability problems while flying?

The alternative might be to get hold of an old Terra unit. However these
seem virtually unobtainable, not very reliable and very
difficult/expensive to repair if/when they fail.


Thanks

Ian

Filser is currently developing a mode S unit. Depending on how their
schedule matches yours, you might have a look at it.

Stefan

"Ian Forbes" wrote in message
news
Hi All

I am contemplating getting a transponder for our LS3a. It seems the choice
is between either a 175W or 250W Becker "ATC 4401" unit or the Microair
"T2000".


I have the 175 watt Becker with ACK A30 encoder in my 26E. No clue how long
the ship's 18 AH avionics battery would power it as there's solar panels on
the engine bay doors helping out. If I turned off WinPilot I could probably
sell power to the utility. In any case, I suspect it'll last way longer than
me. AFAIK the 250 watt Becker is only recommended if you spend a lot of time
in the upper flight levels.

Antenna is mounted on the belly just aft of the gear door. The thinking is
to get the antenna as far as possible, within reason, away from the pilot's
body. No sense testing the long term effects of high frequency radiation.

For the reasons you mentioned, the Terra isn't worth considering unless dirt
cheap. Even then, may not work long enough to justify cutting a rectangular
hole in the panel to mount it - - considering that you'll have a tough time
putting any other piece of gear in the non-standard hole.
--
bumper
"Dare to be different . . . circle in sink."
to reply, the last half is right to left






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I am not so sure if a transponder makes sense, if not in a powered
sailplane. I was told, that only with a transponder I could cross a
20km whide controlled airspace - ok - get a transponder in and
test fly it.

Same situation asking permission to cross the same area.
ATC: do you have a transponder ... yes
the usual switch on procedure followed and then the permit to
cross the airspace ending with - keep flight level at xxxxxx ft
my answer: glider CH cannot keep flight level
ATC: withdraws permit to cross airspace
(too much work to shuffle traffic vertically as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
ok then - rip the transponder out.

- Transponders for gliders are just battery flattening
- we should have a receiver telling us, where the big birds are
comming from

Chris


"Ian Forbes" wrote in message
news
Hi All

I am contemplating getting a transponder for our LS3a. It seems the choice
is between either a 175W or 250W Becker "ATC 4401" unit or the Microair
"T2000".

Has anybody had first hand experience with any of the above?

What were your experiences, which unit would you recommend?

Which altitude encoder did you use?

What batteries do you use and how long do they last in flight?

Where did you mount the antenae?

Have you had any operational or reliability problems while flying?

The alternative might be to get hold of an old Terra unit. However these
seem virtually unobtainable, not very reliable and very
difficult/expensive to repair if/when they fail.


Thanks

Ian

In article ,
says...
I am not so sure if a transponder makes sense, if not in a powered
sailplane. I was told, that only with a transponder I could cross a
20km whide controlled airspace - ok - get a transponder in and
test fly it.

Same situation asking permission to cross the same area.
ATC: do you have a transponder ... yes
the usual switch on procedure followed and then the permit to
cross the airspace ending with - keep flight level at xxxxxx ft
my answer: glider CH cannot keep flight level
ATC: withdraws permit to cross airspace
(too much work to shuffle traffic vertically as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
ok then - rip the transponder out.

Where did this take place?


- Transponders for gliders are just battery flattening
- we should have a receiver telling us, where the big birds are
comming from

Actually, they have a receiver telling them where we are coming from,
IF we have transponder (at least in the USA - not sure where you are).


--
!Replace DECIMAL.POINT in my e-mail address with just a . to reply
directly

Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)

happened in central Europe
but now I am flying in Australia
where a bit more airspace is left for us
:-)
Chris

"Eric Greenwell"
wrote in message

Where did this take place?
Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)