Transponder

References - Private Pilot Manuel, Page 4-59 & 5-4

Pilots Manual Instrument Flying, ASA, Page 84, 191-2, 202-3, 483
What is a Transponder is a high-energy return pulse is produced by an electronic
device aboard the airplane which enhances your aircrafts identity on the ATC radar
screen. It transmits a unique reply signal in response to radar signals received from the
ground, allowing a radar controller to identify and track individual aircraft with greater
accuracy and safety. An air traffic controller may assign an individual code to your
transponder to help distinguish your aircraft form others in the area.
You can set up to 4,096 four-digit codes on your transponder.
Squawk is used by the controller to assign your aircraft a code as well as to indicate
which transponder function you should select.
ATC will issue instructions stop altitude squawk if you altitude reading is more than
300 feet. This could mean you should turn off Mode C altitude reporting but continue
to operate your transponder on Mode A. This could mean your Mode C equipment is not
calibrated properly or you have an incorrect altimeter setting. The wrong altimeter
setting has no direct effect on your Mode C readout, since the transponder is preset at
29.92. It would cause your actual altitude to vary from the one assigned by the
controller. Confirm you altimeter setting.
Transponders must be tested and inspected every 24 calendar months for operations in
controlled airspace.

Components of the Transponder:

1. Reply/monitor Light - illuminates when you select the test feature to show
proper operation. It also flashes when the transponder is replying to
interrogation signals or transmitting ident pulses.
2. Function Selector turns the unit on or off and controls the mode of
operations.
3. Ident Button causes the transponder return to blossom on the radar screen
for a few seconds, allowing the controller to establish positive radar contact.
4. Number dials displays numbers between 0 to 7.
5. Standby warmed up, and ready for immediate use. Normal position until
you are ready for takeoff, when you would select ALT or ON.
6. Lo Sens for those transponders provided with this function, the selected
code is transmitted in Mode 3/A, but at a lower power level. This may be
requested by the radar controller to prevent overly strong blips appearing on
the screen from aircraft close to the interrogating antenna. After landing, you
would normally switch to Standby or OFF for the same reason.
7. ALT altitude-reporting mode (Mode C) which may be used if the aircraft is
fitted with a suitable altitude encoding device, either an encoding altimeter or
a blind encoder. These feed the current altitude to the transponder for
transmission onto the ATC radar screen.
8. TST tests the transponder by causing it to generate an internal selfinterrogation signal- correct operation is indicated by illumination of the reply
monitor light.

(SSR) Secondary Surveillance Radar consists of :

1. An Interrogator - provides a coded signal asking a transponder to respond. A
ground facility transmits discrete radio signals which repetitiously request all
transponders, on the mode being used, to reply.
2. A highly directional rotating Radar Antenna that transmits the coded
interrogation signal, then receives any responding signals, and passes them
back to the interrogator.
3. A Decoder (radarscope), which accepts the signals from the interrogator,
decodes them and
displays the information on a radar screen.

Advantages over Primary Radar:

1. Reinforcement of radar targets
2. Rapid target identification
3. Unique display of selected codes.

Transponder Codes:
1200 - VFR operations
7500 Hijacked
7600 two-way radio failure
7700 all emergencies

Transponders carry designations appropriate to their capabilities:

Mode C a mode A transponder with altitude encoding equipment. The ground
radar controller is presented with altitude information as well as the horizontal position of
the airplane.
Mode S compatible with mode C altitude reporting equipment.

FARs - Must have Mode C transponder capability in:

Class A & B airspace, within Class B primary airports, in & above Class C
airspace. When flying at or above 10,000 ft MSL, excluding the airspace at and
below 2,500 feet AGL.

Approaches offered:
Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) non precision approach
Precision Approach Radar (PAR) precision approach

Errors:
1. Not turning to ALT from Standby.
2. Not setting the proper transponder code.

Conclusion:
The transponder is the airborne portion of the secondary surveillance radar
system. Its use is required in much of controlled airspace, as stated in the FARs. Its
operations is simple and is limited only to the extent of pilot neglect or error.