Transponder inop

AKBill

AKBill

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AKBill
I have a NARCO AT-150 transponder that is not working. Wondering what the best option is.

1 Replace with another AT-150 for $600
2 Install a new transponder $2700 + installation
3 Go with .............

Comments please, thanks
 
It depends. Do you intend to be ADSB-out compliant? Do you want 1090-ES? If so, then bite the bullet and get the big$ one now. Otherwise, do what the pocket-book and the better half will allow.
 
Don't buy more than you need. If you want ADS-B out, then get the more expensive one, but I don't see that it otherwise impacts you. If your old transponder isn't fixable, I'd go with the one you know - #1
 
For ADSB,now would be the time to go for the more expensive transponder. If not just get a slide in replacement at 150 and be done with it.
 
Yes, I'd either go with the ADS-B upgrade or look for a working replacement to slide in. I had problems with my older transponder two years ago, but was able to push forward with a simple fix at the shop.
 
sourdough44 said:
Yes, I'd either go with the ADS-B upgrade or look for a working replacement to slide in. I had problems with my older transponder two years ago, but was able to push forward with a simple fix at the shop.
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Agreed, but if replacement is $600, I would go with KT74


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I was once a fan of Narco products, but given their business practices I would never pay to have one repaired or install one in an aircraft. But that's probably deserving of its own thread.
 
Stewartb said:
Are transponders required in Juneau?
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No transponders are not required here

Luvrv8 said:
I have had great luck with this shop, so have a few of my friends. Upfront pricing and turnaround times are great.


http://www.transponderrepair.com
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Thanks I'll look into

frfly172 said:
For ADSB,now would be the time to go for the more expensive transponder. If not just get a slide in replacement at 150 and be done with it.
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I would love to upgrade to the ADSB, but pocket book is a little light. going to shop around and see what I can find.

FastEddieB said:
I was once a fan of Narco products, but given their business practices I would never pay to have one repaired or install one in an aircraft. But that's probably deserving of its own thread.
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That is the way I feel. Have a NARCO NAV/COM I not totally happy with. From time to time it fails to transmit, so I am trying to work out a solution for that, now the transponder is inop. I really want to get rid of my NARCO
equipment altogether.
 
For practical purposes the ADS-B mandate doesn't include Alaska. In fact with so many no-transponder airplanes up here ADS-B won't be reliable for traffic.

1. Airspace
This final rule prescribes ADS–B Out performance requirements for all aircraft operating in Class A, B, and C airspace within the NAS; above the ceiling and within the lateral boundaries of a Class B or Class C airspace area up to 10,000 feet mean sea level (MSL); and Class E airspace areas at or above 10,000 feet MSL over the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia, excluding the airspace at and below 2,500 feet above the surface.
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Stewartb said:
Are transponders required in Juneau?
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Yes with the exception of the non electric aircraft

91.215

(c) Transponder-on operation. While in the airspace as specified in paragraph (b) of this section or in all controlled airspace, each person operating an aircraft equipped with an operable ATC transponder maintained in accordance with §91.413 of this part shall operate the transponder, including Mode C equipment if installed, and shall reply on the appropriate code or as assigned by ATC.
 
Lake Hood doesn't require transponders. Or Merrill. I figured Juneau would be similar.
 
Stewartb said:
Lake Hood doesn't require transponders. Or Merrill. I figured Juneau would be similar.
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They probably got tired of hearing the requests to enter no electrics.
 

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what's the cost of a repair? Personally, I would go for something newer or nothing at all (if that works with your missions).
 
Well, I got lucky, maybe not.

Repair costs for the AT-150 were $400. Went the cheep route and had the Narco repaired. Almost wish they would have said "your AT-150 is junk". That would force me to upgrade.

So here is my next question. Should I upgrade the altitude encoder? Currently I have a Narco AR850 encoder. I was thinking of installing a TRANS CAL SSD120 encoder.

Everything I have seen on line says the TRANS CAL encoder will be a plug and play installation. I was thinking changing the encoder with a new solid state type would provide better performance of the AT150 transponder.

Will installing a new sold state encoder such as the SSD-120 decrease the likely hood of transponder errors, or trouble with the AT150?

Comments please.
 
AKBill said:
Well, I got lucky, maybe not.

Repair costs for the AT-150 were $400. Went the cheep route and had the Narco repaired. Almost wish they would have said "your AT-150 is junk". That would force me to upgrade.

So here is my next question. Should I upgrade the altitude encoder? Currently I have a Narco AR850 encoder. I was thinking of installing a TRANS CAL SSD120 encoder.

Everything I have seen on line says the TRANS CAL encoder will be a plug and play installation. I was thinking changing the encoder with a new solid state type would provide better performance of the AT150 transponder.

Will installing a new sold state encoder such as the SSD-120 decrease the likely hood of transponder errors, or trouble with the AT150?

Comments please.
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I wouldn't replace something that's working for the sake of replacing it with something else. Save your money for the future upgrades that will be mandatory.
 
Now that you've got a working Mode-C transponder, you can become ADS-B compliant more cheaply than if you replaced the entire transponder. Several vendors make boxes that connect to your Mode-C transponder to transmit the required ADS-B out signal. All you'll need is a WAAS source, and some of those boxes have their own if you don't have one in your panel.
 
NoHeat said:
Now that you've got a working Mode-C transponder, you can become ADS-B compliant more cheaply than if you replaced the entire transponder. Several vendors make boxes that connect to your Mode-C transponder to transmit the required ADS-B out signal. All you'll need is a WAAS source, and some of those boxes have their own if you don't have one in your panel.
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So what size dollar bill will I need to unfold to couple my Narco AT150 and make it ADS-B compliant? Didn't know you could do that. Guess I am behind the power curve with new technologies.

Stewartb said:
For practical purposes the ADS-B mandate doesn't include Alaska. In fact with so many no-transponder airplanes up here ADS-B won't be reliable for traffic.
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I'm picking up what you are putting down. I have been trying to upgrade when ever possible. It may not be practical in AK, but Canada or the lower 48 it could come in handy.
 
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