Ballito transponder project

[ZULU1]

Hi All, this is posted for the BMC members that haven't seen the latest update to our team project as well as other interested parties. As promised I attach pictures of our progress.
We have made the installation as professional as possible as we have 20 trikes to kit up so its been justifiable to produce soft tooling for the installation.

We are using a Trig TT21s Mode S device. The antenna we imported direct from the states at $18,00 which is far cheaper than local supply.

Now Trig advise a dish (ground plane) of 275 mm, we made ours 300mm and attached to the fibre glass pod in the picture, the angle allows the remote device as well as the 17 degrees tilt the cart takes in flight. The fuel cross over pipe has to be extended to allow the tail to fit on the keel with hose clamps. This fits in between the two fuel wells on the bottom of the tank. We will laser cut the dish in production.

So tomorrow its the remote head location as yet unknown...

Cheers Paul

[ZULU1]

OK, so we had a disaster, before putting power on the system, I decided to take it to a mate with a antenna rf analyser, it was perfect for 1180 mhz but not for 1090 mhz the tx frequency of the transponder. So we have made our own antenna and abandoned the US import. This is possibly due to the short run of co ax (high tech double screened) between the transponder and the antenna.

So a tip for others installing these devices in that the antenna is not as it seems....

Testing on Wednesday with King Shaka ATC weather permitting, hope to get in a legal landing....

Cheers Zulu1

[Cloud Warrior]

And all the pilots will still be able to have children after this.............?

[bobthebuilder]

Any news?

[ZULU1]

Yes, I have fitted the first system to my plane, programmed last night with the intention of test with the KSIA utilizing the mode S SSR so hopefully tomorrow. For interest the TT21 has a requirement for OCT code, we are issued with a Hex code. A simple convertor is on the Trig website. Brilliant, I was thinking we had to re write the address. The trig is a superb piece of kit...just waiting to try it now.

I want to photo the Queen Mary in Durban harbour....
See pics.

Paul

[t-bird]

Hi Paul

What do you do to protect the pilot and pax from the Microwaves emitted by the transponder ?
Is it possible to measure these emissions ?

[Technocrat]

I you are not going to use the US antenna, I would be interested. I am busy installing a King KT67A transponder into my aircraft, but the antenna is missing. Let me know.
(Lourens@technifarm.co.za)

[Conrad]

Those emissions are harmless if frequencies higher than 800M is further than 450mm from the head.
Not sure how this transponder works though!

[Cloud Warrior]

Which head are we talking about here?

[Conrad]

[ZULU1]

OK, an update..didnt wish to get over excited. I have done several tweaks and mods to the physical installation and several in flight tests.

Final results yesterday I had altitude within about 50 feet and position within a few hundred metres. Very satisfied.

We have decided not to mount the main transponder body in the dish housing and instead use a nice box from Electrocomp (Tobie on the forum) and use a very nice U bracket available from Plumblink, yes I am sure they imported the 2 1/2 inch fittings just for the Ballito Microlight club. We couldnt have made them better.

Now we have started production and are foil lining the fibreglass housing because we can and are laser cutting the inner ground plane.

Problem is the Windlass as it has the battery box in the wrong place exactly...Other planes will be sorted as we come across them.

Pics tomorrow..

Zulu1

[ZULU1]

For a full update of not only the "Project Parrot" but also the very helpful liaison that the BMC is having with all the relevant parties and the details of our airspace. As well as details associated with the King Shaka airport please see our website and keep visiting as I believe the rest of the country will probably eventually have similar regulations. I may also add the the old Durban International ATC has been very accommodating as well as inbound heavy iron has been with our tests.

Very pleasant and all concerned extremely helpful.

www.balero.co.za


Cheers zulu1

[Ian]

ZULU1

Are you sure thats the right URL ?

I cannot get to it..

Cheers ian

[ZULU1]

Whoops

www.balaero.co.za

Zulu1

[braam hechter]

Good morning All.

After looking at this installation i would assume that somebody has done the effort of applying for a modification approval. I have discussed this modification with Craig at Solo Wings. This seems to be more involved then discussed before. One will have to carry out a failure analysis, etc on this installation. What will happen with a fuel spillage on refueling, where is the drainholes? Has any one though of the various failures and the mitigating there off.

Please feel free to contact me if guidance is needed through the CAA process.

Greetings
Braam Hechter