Battery Powered Transponders

[EDGEFLY]

I'm almost afraid to post this expecting a host of derisive "What's wrong with you ?" but here goes anyway.
Has anyone used one of these things ? It would have to be light and, of course, needs an encoder to be really useful. I'm just starting to consider this so even any vendor information would be helpful. Thanks

Dale

[Paul Agaliotis]

Dale,
I think ICOM made a panel mount that was pretty compact. You might check with the glider guys they use them on the high altitude flights.
Paul

[rkittine]

Hey Dale,

The German's have a Portable Transponder, but it is not legal in the U.S. as we require that the transpondr be installed in a specific aircraft, attached to an encoder (when used in Transponder Required Aircraft and Areas) and be checked during the IFR inspection, if so wanted.

I looked at all the available transponders in order to keep my Chief as light as possible on floats and found the German Minature Becker Unit to be small, light and work well as well as being legal. I also have their Com in the plane. It isn't cheap but it fit the bill. I could not find any around Yellow Tagged or even just used though. Aircraft Spruce has them as well as most of the avionics shops. I run it off a battery with no charging system other than a charger when parked.

Ciao - Bob

[mslezak]

Can you post a part #, or a link to the miniature German unit here? I am without a transponder as well in Houston and limited to flying under 1000ft in a circle around the city, and 2000ft some 20m out. Tricky in Class B areas...

Just to throw this out there - I read another post where someone took a transponder and mounted it in a case, then simply plugged it in when needed. Here's the post:

http://www.supercub.org/forum/showthrea ... ransponder

[rkittine]

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/av/ ... ecker.html

Here you go .....

Regarding the post that you published the link to, if you look back through the thread, you will see that they did state that it is illegal to use a portable, non-installed unit. I guess if you don't get caught .......... ???

Not sure what you are flying and how weight sensitive your plane is, but there are plenty of older Transponders available for sale through Avionic Shops and on Barnstormers and eBay.

Ciao

[Paul Agaliotis]

Dale,
Whichever transponder you choose, make sure it's TSO'd. This is one of the few items in the Aeronca that requires TSO compliance.
Paul

[rkittine]

The Becker Transponder is TSO/JTSO C74c, C88a

[rkittine]

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/a ... _ar420.php

Dale, This is the matching Com that I have. Also TSO'd.