Can I use a used transponder (no paperwork not TSOed) in Experimental in Mode C veil

[barnstorm2]

I need to operate in a mode C veil.

I want to get the cheapest and easiest to install transponder I can get.

Does anyone have any recommendations or experience with this?:help:


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[StanFoster]

Tim: You can operate in a mode C veil without a transponder period.....you however must call ahead at least one hour prior to entry to be cleared. I was operating in a mode C veil when I commuted to Chicago in my SparrowHawk which had no transponder period.

I know thats not the angle of your question..but technically...the answer is yes.



Stan

[dragonflyerthom]

The transponder has to be installed by an authorized radio shop. They can check it out for you.

[barnstorm2]

The transponder has to be installed by an authorized radio shop. They can check it out for you.

Thank you Stan. Whom did you call?

Thom,

Do you know if I can install it and just have them certify it?

[dragonflyerthom]

Tim

You can do everything from cutting to trial fit but the radio shop has to finalize it.

[Caribean_gyro]

you can use a used transponder, you can installed it your self. but you need a log book endorsement that is working properly. then every 2 years you just need to check it out. That is how I have mine and no problem what so ever,
chuckp

[Caribean_gyro]

I forgot. carfule some used king xponder may have bad output transistors and this is the very expensive part. If you get a working one for 500 or less run with it. more than that buy a garming for $1000. and be safe
chuckp

[barnstorm2]

Thanks!



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[barnstorm2]

I called WX-Brief and they gave me the number for the Class-B Approach. The guy at Class-B Approach guy was very cool and gave me clearance for the times I need to fly through.

I still plan on getting a transponder though. Quite a budget buster!!

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[Heather Poe]

I want to get the cheapest and easiest to install transponder I can get.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140163047053&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:MT:1

[Hognose]

eBay's a good idea, BUT it's best for stuff where you know what it is and what accessories you will need with it. (For instance, in the Mode C veil you need not only the transponder but the encoder). Here's a site that purports to break out eBay avionics.

http://avionicslist.com/transponder.php

If you're going to buy on eBay, it's good to know the details of your seller. Go to toolhaus.org and you can enter an eBay id and they will give you (for example) just that guy's negative feedback. It has definitely stopped me from bidding. 98% sounds good, but sometimes it isn't... if a guy has thousands of sales and persistent problems. OTOH, 90% can be good if somebody had one crummy partner in a transaction and nine good deals. Reading the feedback will help you get a feel for it.

I'd suggest you go to local avionics guys first. They have a quarter-mill tied up in test equipment, some of them, and a shelf of turn-ins that pile up when they install new juju. (Lots of IFR guys going to Mode S). A local avionics shop or FBO may even have some yellow tagged TXPs sitting around. Best to get a bog-standard model (Cessna ARC, King, Garmin) if you are buying used-n-cheap because if you get something that's an odd shape, size, or tray, then if it goes tango uniform on you, you're kicked all the way back to square one.

You are going to need the shop to certify the txp and encoder anyway. Every two years. It might cost you a little more to buy the box from him, but you may need some goodwill down the road when the thing acts dodgy or ATC tells you to turn it off and get it fixed (yeah, it happens. BTDT).

Street price on a used yellow tagged KT-76A should be sub $1k installed. There are some no-name transponders that you might be able to get installed, new, for a little more than that. But the King transponder will probably still be worth $600 as long as it can be yellow tagged. The Cessna equivalent is even cheaper and is basically a disposable transponder, I don't think anybody ever works on 'em.

Like Chuck Peterson said, if that transistor goes in a King you're up the creek. That's just the way it is. Seldom happens though. Solid-state stuff usually lasts for decades, or dies young (infant mortality) because of QC or manufacturing errors. But it's a reason not to get too bold on eBay.

cheers

-=K=-

[rgraffeo]

Tim,
I was allowed to fly into Baton Rouge, class C airspace a few times.
I called the tower & talked to the controllers before flying out on the phone.
They had me do a few maneuvers while 20 miles out, to radar identify my aircraft.

[barnstorm2]

Thanks guys!

I had no problems in the C veil or the Class B airspace I went through today. The controllers were very nice. I will post about it in a thread once I have time to down-size my photos.

Kevin,

The local av shop does not like to work with experimentals so I am going to do some shopping around. Thanks for the info!!

[JEFF TIPTON]

Just a few links to check out.

http://www.trimble.com/products/pdf/trt250d.pdf

http://www.bennettavionics.com/trt250.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Terra-TRT250D-Transponder-TDF100D-ADF-Avionics_W0QQitemZ260165104453QQihZ016QQcategoryZ9 0980QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.soaringsafety.org/prevention/transponders.pdf

[PW_Plack]

Solid-state stuff usually lasts for decades, or dies young (infant mortality) because of QC or manufacturing errors.

Or, someone hooked it up to a botched feedline or antenna.

[barnstorm2]

Wow, Jeff, good reading. thanks!