Transponder installation article- Soaring Magazine

On 12/14/20 11:22 AM, wrote:
Within the past 2-3 years, someone did a very nice article on installing a transponder, I believe it was a Trig21 or 22, in their DG303. I've searched but can't find the article/issue. Does anyone recall this or happen to know the issue?
Thanks


I installed a Trig 22 in my Stemme and one in my gyroplane. It's
straight forward especially if you also buy a pre made harness. Simply:

1. Find a place and install the remote box.
2 Install the control head in the panel.
3 Connect the control head with the remote box using the purchased
cable. (You can make your own cable if you're handy with that, the
connectors and pins are included with the transponder.
4. Connect 12v and ground to the red and black (respectively) wires.
5. Connect the static line to the static ports using the supplied
T-fitting.
6. Install the antenna and connect the coax to the transponder
7. Power on and configure per the instructions.

If you're also installing ADS-B, it's even easier than the steps above:

1. Install the GPS,
2. Connect the GPS to the transponder. It's powered via the Y-cable
(ordered separately)
3. Mount the GPS antenna and connect the coax cable.
4. Power on and configure per the instructions.

Hope that takes the mystery out of it.

--
Dan
5J

On Monday, December 14, 2020 at 3:28:01 PM UTC-8, Dan Marotta wrote:
On 12/14/20 11:22 AM, wrote:
Within the past 2-3 years, someone did a very nice article on installing a transponder, I believe it was a Trig21 or 22, in their DG303. I've searched but can't find the article/issue. Does anyone recall this or happen to know the issue?
Thanks

I installed a Trig 22 in my Stemme and one in my gyroplane. It's
straight forward especially if you also buy a pre made harness. Simply:

1. Find a place and install the remote box.
2 Install the control head in the panel.
3 Connect the control head with the remote box using the purchased
cable. (You can make your own cable if you're handy with that, the
connectors and pins are included with the transponder.
4. Connect 12v and ground to the red and black (respectively) wires.
5. Connect the static line to the static ports using the supplied
T-fitting.
6. Install the antenna and connect the coax to the transponder
7. Power on and configure per the instructions.

If you're also installing ADS-B, it's even easier than the steps above:

1. Install the GPS,
2. Connect the GPS to the transponder. It's powered via the Y-cable
(ordered separately)
3. Mount the GPS antenna and connect the coax cable.
4. Power on and configure per the instructions.

Hope that takes the mystery out of it.

--
Dan
5J



I can supply custom length cables that power both the TT22 and TN72.

http://www.craggyaero.com/transponder.htm

Richard
www.craggyaero.com

On Monday, December 14, 2020 at 3:28:01 PM UTC-8, Dan Marotta wrote:
On 12/14/20 11:22 AM, wrote:
Within the past 2-3 years, someone did a very nice article on installing a transponder, I believe it was a Trig21 or 22, in their DG303. I've searched but can't find the article/issue. Does anyone recall this or happen to know the issue?
Thanks

I installed a Trig 22 in my Stemme and one in my gyroplane. It's
straight forward especially if you also buy a pre made harness. Simply:

1. Find a place and install the remote box.
2 Install the control head in the panel.
3 Connect the control head with the remote box using the purchased
cable. (You can make your own cable if you're handy with that, the
connectors and pins are included with the transponder.
4. Connect 12v and ground to the red and black (respectively) wires.
5. Connect the static line to the static ports using the supplied
T-fitting.
6. Install the antenna and connect the coax to the transponder
7. Power on and configure per the instructions.

If you're also installing ADS-B, it's even easier than the steps above:

1. Install the GPS,
2. Connect the GPS to the transponder. It's powered via the Y-cable
(ordered separately)
3. Mount the GPS antenna and connect the coax cable.
4. Power on and configure per the instructions.

Hope that takes the mystery out of it.

--
Dan
5J

To that list I will add one more item: you must get installation tested and inspected by an FAA approved avionics repair station with an entry to that effect made in the glider's logbook prior to use. This check must be repeated every 24 months.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/91.413

Tom

A few random notes from my TT22 installation:

- From the Trig Installation Manual: "The transponder power input is not protected against reversed power connections. Reversing the power and ground inputs to the transponder will destroy it. Check wiring before applying power."
-- A proven hazard demonstrated (luckily) by someone else

- Common sense for all transmitters but not obvious on a transponder: Make sure the antenna is connected before any transmission takes place. When is that? Generally, anytime the transponder is on GND, ON, or ALT switch mode and it gets and replies to an interrogation. SBY mode use (e.g., for initial TT21/22 SETUP programming) should be OK without having the antenna connected. But it's easy to mistakenly turn past SBY onto one of the "transmit" positions. So it's best to have the antenna connected before powering on.

- If you plan to have ADS-B Out by integrating a Trig TN70 or TN72, both the firmware on the TC20 control head AND the main transponder (TT21/22) must be of a certain version number or later (like v1.14 and v2.12, respectively). An authorized Trig dealer can confirm the current requirements and upgrade your firmware as needed.
-- The firmware versions are displayed very briefly on the control head screen after powering on. I video'd the sequence and replayed it several times to catch the numbers.

After installation and testing are complete, take a flight and the check your FAA performance report he
https://adsbperformance.faa.gov/PAPRRequest.aspx

Mine flunked the first time. I had one of the configuration settings wrong, but it was easily sorted out with information provided by Prof. Pfiffner:
http://www.craggyaero.com/tt22_tn72_settings.htm

Cheers,
...david


On Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 5:02:52 AM UTC-5, wrote:
A few random notes from my TT22 installation:

- From the Trig Installation Manual: "The transponder power input is not protected against reversed power connections. Reversing the power and ground inputs to the transponder will destroy it. Check wiring before applying power."
-- A proven hazard demonstrated (luckily) by someone else

- Common sense for all transmitters but not obvious on a transponder: Make sure the antenna is connected before any transmission takes place. When is that? Generally, anytime the transponder is on GND, ON, or ALT switch mode and it gets and replies to an interrogation. SBY mode use (e.g., for initial TT21/22 SETUP programming) should be OK without having the antenna connected. But it's easy to mistakenly turn past SBY onto one of the "transmit" positions. So it's best to have the antenna connected before powering on.

- If you plan to have ADS-B Out by integrating a Trig TN70 or TN72, both the firmware on the TC20 control head AND the main transponder (TT21/22) must be of a certain version number or later (like v1.14 and v2.12, respectively). An authorized Trig dealer can confirm the current requirements and upgrade your firmware as needed.
-- The firmware versions are displayed very briefly on the control head screen after powering on. I video'd the sequence and replayed it several times to catch the numbers.

On Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 6:51:42 AM UTC-5, wrote:
After installation and testing are complete, take a flight and the check your FAA performance report he
https://adsbperformance.faa.gov/PAPRRequest.aspx

Mine flunked the first time. I had one of the configuration settings wrong, but it was easily sorted out with information provided by Prof. Pfiffner:
http://www.craggyaero.com/tt22_tn72_settings.htm

Cheers,
...david
On Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 5:02:52 AM UTC-5, wrote:
A few random notes from my TT22 installation:

- From the Trig Installation Manual: "The transponder power input is not protected against reversed power connections. Reversing the power and ground inputs to the transponder will destroy it. Check wiring before applying power."
-- A proven hazard demonstrated (luckily) by someone else

- Common sense for all transmitters but not obvious on a transponder: Make sure the antenna is connected before any transmission takes place. When is that? Generally, anytime the transponder is on GND, ON, or ALT switch mode and it gets and replies to an interrogation. SBY mode use (e.g., for initial TT21/22 SETUP programming) should be OK without having the antenna connected. But it's easy to mistakenly turn past SBY onto one of the "transmit" positions. So it's best to have the antenna connected before powering on..

- If you plan to have ADS-B Out by integrating a Trig TN70 or TN72, both the firmware on the TC20 control head AND the main transponder (TT21/22) must be of a certain version number or later (like v1.14 and v2.12, respectively). An authorized Trig dealer can confirm the current requirements and upgrade your firmware as needed.
-- The firmware versions are displayed very briefly on the control head screen after powering on. I video'd the sequence and replayed it several times to catch the numbers.


I am thinking of installing a TRIG xponder for next season, maybe with ADS-B, but this would mean installing multiple GPS antennas (FLARM, C302, Xponder) and I'm running out of room under the glareshield.

Questions for the experts out the need there be a minimum spacing between GPS antennas (i.e. do they interact); and is there a way to connect one GPS antenna to feed one or more boxes?

Thanks!
Ian IN

On Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 7:53:22 AM UTC-5, India November wrote:
On Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 6:51:42 AM UTC-5, wrote:
After installation and testing are complete, take a flight and the check your FAA performance report he
https://adsbperformance.faa.gov/PAPRRequest.aspx

Mine flunked the first time. I had one of the configuration settings wrong, but it was easily sorted out with information provided by Prof. Pfiffner:
http://www.craggyaero.com/tt22_tn72_settings.htm

Cheers,
...david
On Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 5:02:52 AM UTC-5, wrote:
A few random notes from my TT22 installation:

- From the Trig Installation Manual: "The transponder power input is not protected against reversed power connections. Reversing the power and ground inputs to the transponder will destroy it. Check wiring before applying power."
-- A proven hazard demonstrated (luckily) by someone else

- Common sense for all transmitters but not obvious on a transponder: Make sure the antenna is connected before any transmission takes place. When is that? Generally, anytime the transponder is on GND, ON, or ALT switch mode and it gets and replies to an interrogation. SBY mode use (e.g., for initial TT21/22 SETUP programming) should be OK without having the antenna connected. But it's easy to mistakenly turn past SBY onto one of the "transmit" positions. So it's best to have the antenna connected before powering on.

- If you plan to have ADS-B Out by integrating a Trig TN70 or TN72, both the firmware on the TC20 control head AND the main transponder (TT21/22) must be of a certain version number or later (like v1.14 and v2.12, respectively). An authorized Trig dealer can confirm the current requirements and upgrade your firmware as needed.
-- The firmware versions are displayed very briefly on the control head screen after powering on. I video'd the sequence and replayed it several times to catch the numbers.
I am thinking of installing a TRIG xponder for next season, maybe with ADS-B, but this would mean installing multiple GPS antennas (FLARM, C302, Xponder) and I'm running out of room under the glareshield.

Questions for the experts out the need there be a minimum spacing between GPS antennas (i.e. do they interact); and is there a way to connect one GPS antenna to feed one or more boxes?

Thanks!
Ian IN

Relative to multiple GPS antennas under the glare shield, I'm afraid nothing is simple in this world.

I have a standard category install (TRIG TN 70, big TA 70 GPS antenna), plus two other GPS antennas (FLARM, LX9000) about 6 inches away. No ill effects noted on anything after a good season of flying. I originally was leaning towards a splitter, but decided to try separate antennas first after considering the following.

You can get splitters/combiners/hybrids, but necessarily will lose ~4dB per 'split'. The GPS antennas are active, so each receiver will put a few volts DC on the coaxial antenna cable to power the amplifier integrated into the antenna. With multiple receivers you need a DC coupled branch on the splitter for only one receiver, and DC blocks on the other branches. Once you have this figured out, you need to look at the receiver specifications, since some interpret an open DC circuit as an antenna fault. Simple, huh?

Cheers,
Brian
MM

On 12/15/20 3:02 AM, wrote:
A few random notes from my TT22 installation:

- From the Trig Installation Manual: "The transponder power input is not protected against reversed power connections. Reversing the power and ground inputs to the transponder will destroy it. Check wiring before applying power."
-- A proven hazard demonstrated (luckily) by someone else

- Common sense for all transmitters but not obvious on a transponder: Make sure the antenna is connected before any transmission takes place. When is that? Generally, anytime the transponder is on GND, ON, or ALT switch mode and it gets and replies to an interrogation. SBY mode use (e.g., for initial TT21/22 SETUP programming) should be OK without having the antenna connected. But it's easy to mistakenly turn past SBY onto one of the "transmit" positions. So it's best to have the antenna connected before powering on.

- If you plan to have ADS-B Out by integrating a Trig TN70 or TN72, both the firmware on the TC20 control head AND the main transponder (TT21/22) must be of a certain version number or later (like v1.14 and v2.12, respectively). An authorized Trig dealer can confirm the current requirements and upgrade your firmware as needed.
-- The firmware versions are displayed very briefly on the control head screen after powering on. I video'd the sequence and replayed it several times to catch the numbers.

Good information about the firmware. I had to send the control head for
the TT22 in the Stemme to the avionics shop for upgrade. There was no
charge for the service IIRC.

--
Dan
5J

On Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:56:33 AM UTC-5, Dan Marotta wrote:
On 12/15/20 3:02 AM, wrote:
A few random notes from my TT22 installation:

- From the Trig Installation Manual: "The transponder power input is not protected against reversed power connections. Reversing the power and ground inputs to the transponder will destroy it. Check wiring before applying power."
-- A proven hazard demonstrated (luckily) by someone else

- Common sense for all transmitters but not obvious on a transponder: Make sure the antenna is connected before any transmission takes place. When is that? Generally, anytime the transponder is on GND, ON, or ALT switch mode and it gets and replies to an interrogation. SBY mode use (e.g., for initial TT21/22 SETUP programming) should be OK without having the antenna connected. But it's easy to mistakenly turn past SBY onto one of the "transmit" positions. So it's best to have the antenna connected before powering on..

- If you plan to have ADS-B Out by integrating a Trig TN70 or TN72, both the firmware on the TC20 control head AND the main transponder (TT21/22) must be of a certain version number or later (like v1.14 and v2.12, respectively). An authorized Trig dealer can confirm the current requirements and upgrade your firmware as needed.
-- The firmware versions are displayed very briefly on the control head screen after powering on. I video'd the sequence and replayed it several times to catch the numbers.

Good information about the firmware. I had to send the control head for
the TT22 in the Stemme to the avionics shop for upgrade. There was no
charge for the service IIRC.

--
Dan
5J
Thank you all for the help and information, as wel as the link to the original article. We're considering installing a trig22 with ADS-B out for or glider, which also happens to be a DG303 as in the article.
Thanks

On 12/15/20 10:15 AM, wrote:
On Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:56:33 AM UTC-5, Dan Marotta wrote:
On 12/15/20 3:02 AM, wrote:
A few random notes from my TT22 installation:

- From the Trig Installation Manual: "The transponder power input is not protected against reversed power connections. Reversing the power and ground inputs to the transponder will destroy it. Check wiring before applying power."
-- A proven hazard demonstrated (luckily) by someone else

- Common sense for all transmitters but not obvious on a transponder: Make sure the antenna is connected before any transmission takes place. When is that? Generally, anytime the transponder is on GND, ON, or ALT switch mode and it gets and replies to an interrogation. SBY mode use (e.g., for initial TT21/22 SETUP programming) should be OK without having the antenna connected. But it's easy to mistakenly turn past SBY onto one of the "transmit" positions. So it's best to have the antenna connected before powering on.

- If you plan to have ADS-B Out by integrating a Trig TN70 or TN72, both the firmware on the TC20 control head AND the main transponder (TT21/22) must be of a certain version number or later (like v1.14 and v2.12, respectively). An authorized Trig dealer can confirm the current requirements and upgrade your firmware as needed.
-- The firmware versions are displayed very briefly on the control head screen after powering on. I video'd the sequence and replayed it several times to catch the numbers.

Good information about the firmware. I had to send the control head for
the TT22 in the Stemme to the avionics shop for upgrade. There was no
charge for the service IIRC.

--
Dan
5J
Thank you all for the help and information, as wel as the link to the original article. We're considering installing a trig22 with ADS-B out for or glider, which also happens to be a DG303 as in the article.
Thanks

If your DG303 is experimental, then get the TN72 GPS and TA50 antenna.
Those are what I installed in my gyro and they work perfectly. No need
to buy the gigantic TA70 antenna which is a pain to mount and costs a
bunch more. I mounted my TA50 antenna on the glare shield of the gyro
using the sticky back tape that came with it. It hasn't moved in 150
hours of flying plus ground ops.

--
Dan
5J