what many keep failing to realize is that the Transponder is there so YOU
can be seen.......and so that ATC can see you and other traffic to try to
redirect them (VFR Traffic on a work load permitting basis!!) and provide
separation.....Transponders I am afraid can do more to relax the pilot into
an unsafe feeling of security that "big brother" is looking out for
you....this certainly is not the case....Though a transponder may offer you
some additional safety, you have to realize that unless you are in contact
with ATC there is no way for them to notify YOU that there is traffic as
well....not everyone will have a TCAS system (few Cezna 150's do that I know
of) and not every corporate or airliner is going to move to avoid you,
especially if ATC doesn't see you clearly and notify them that you are
"somewhere" up there also... If you fly where there is a possibility of
airliners you should then monitor the ATC frequency and even notify them
that you are there and on the frequency..they too will want to see you on
their screen as well.
Tim
Wings & Wheels
www.wingsandwheels.com

"Andy" wrote in message
oups.com...

Tim Mara wrote:

Also I note that you say you have a transponder antenna mounted
vertically
on the top of the fuselage.........this is also not a proper installation
since transponder antennas are intended to be directed toward the ground
(radar receivers) and Carbon fuselages will block or even absorb signals
rather than reflect them away as a proper ground plane does.


If there is a choice of being seen either from above, or from below,
I'll take above every time. I'd far rather be seen on the TCAS of an
airliner that is descending through cloud into me than be seen on a
controller's screen.

Has anyone actually measured the antenna patterns for top or bottom
mounted transponder antennas on a typical carbon glider? Is the
masking a real problem?


Andy