Transponder Problem

Narco also has a 10% off web coupon for service if the radio is sent by the
owner.

In the case of a Nav radio, you could get away with flying without the radio for
a few weeks. A transponder in busy airspace is another thing altogether. Ask
around at the local shops to see if you can find one that will look at it. Here
in the Northeast, I've had good luck with The Radio Shop, which is located at
Worcester Mass, for repairing Narco stuff. Like I said before, the shops will
generally only fix what is wrong; they won't bring the unit up to the latest mod
level, do a complete check on the unit, or warranty the entire unit.

If I was looking at a repair that cost near the value of the transponder, I'd
seriously consider getting a new mode S with plans to eventually connect it to a
MFD for traffic. I don't think I'd spring for a new mode C only at this point,
as I suspect we'll be getting gently nudged to go with mode S in the not to
distant future. Fortunately, yours does not sound like an expensive problem
(the tube is fine, it is the digital encoding that is the problem), just an
inconvenient one. If you are on good terms with a local shop, you might be able
to get a loaner while you send it in to Narco if your local shop can't fix it.

Dick Meade wrote:

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:Tjy5b.345829$o%2.158911@sccrnsc02...
The third digit on my formerly bullet-proof Narco AT-50 transponder has
suddenly started displaying incorrectly for ATC. Specifically, it seems
to
be showing as a "4" on their screens, regardless of what we dial it to in
the plane. Thus, instead of squawking "1200" when we're VFR, we're
squawking "1240"...

What could cause this? Any recommendations on repair versus replacement?

Thanks!
--

What a coincidence. My AT 150 pulled this stunt at the beginning of a trip
from Texas to Las Vegas about a week ago. In my case, the third digit
flipped back and forth between 5 and 1. The bad news is that it will likely
get worse, to the point where ATC can only see you part of the time. That
caused me to rethink flying into the very busy Las Vegas area, opting
instead to park it at Kingman, AZ. At least we got to see the Hoover Dam
again.

Anyway, the good news is that mine was fixed locally for $65.00. It was
described as being an "adjustment", but I forget what was adjusted. I could
look at the invoice to refresh my memory. While I'd love a pushbutton
Garmin, I'm too cheap to toss a fixable unit.

To save you a phone call, Narco factory service is $95.00 per hour plus
parts. 2 to 3 week turnaround. They have a factory reconditioned exchange
program for $595.00. Also a 2 to 3 week turnaround. I think there are
issues with replacing an AT 50 with a 150. Something about needing a 150R.

Let me know if you want details about where I got mine done.

Dick Meade

--
--Ray Andraka, P.E.
President, the Andraka Consulting Group, Inc.
401/884-7930 Fax 401/884-7950
email
http://www.andraka.com

"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-Benjamin Franklin, 1759