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Version 10 sw upgrade for the Sport SX

Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 3:10 am
by jnewsum1
I was just reading thru the list of sw improvement/fixes for the Sport SX 10 software release and noticed that support for a remote located TRIG xpndr is incorporated. What is necessary from an aircraft installation perspective to implement this new feature. Is one of the RS-232 serial output TX/RX buses just connected to the TRIG xpnder via a RS-232 to RS-422 converter unit to control the xpndr. Is the altitude encoding RS-232 serial output from the SX display unit to the transponder still necessary?

I have been looking for reason to upgrade my Sport HS units to the Sport SX version and this might just be the justification.
James

Re: Version 10 sw upgrade for the Sport SX

Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 5:39 am
by Bobturner
Take a look at the on line documentation for the Trig to HXr supplement. I imagine the SX hook up will look the same. Don't forget you'll need to pay for a new transponder certification test.

Re: Version 10 sw upgrade for the Sport SX

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 6:50 pm
by jnewsum1
Bob,

Wiring the SX unit to the TRIG xpndr the way it is implemented with the Hxr display unit seems reasonable to me also.

The TRIG looks like a good option for ADS-B out along with something like a Radenna SkyRadar-D2 for ADS-B in. Installing A Navworx or FreeFlight Ranger UAT is another possibility but either way will require investing some $$. I installed wiring for a GRT XM receiver mounted behind the baggage compartment when I built my RV6 but am no longer considering installing the XM receiver and could use that wiring for either the TRIG or UAT receiver.

I did a cursory look thru the Hxr user guide for controlling the xpndr and it looks straight forward enough but would still like to get some feed back from someone who has used it in everyday general operation.

James

Re: Version 10 sw upgrade for the Sport SX

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 8:10 pm
by Bobturner
The HXr has more buttons so the operation on HX or SX units is not the same. If you have installed the new software, go into the set up and change an unused pair of serial outputs to "TT22". Ignore the warning message that nothing is hooked up. Then, from the main PFD page, push the far right button several times to scroll thru options, until "transponder" appears. On the HX it appears near the far left side after about four button pushes. Push "transponder", now you can play with setting squawk codes, ident, etc. Note that the EFIS will turn it on automatically, and switch from ground to flight mode based on airspeed. So you just use that page for codes and ident.
Just last week I discontinued my xm aviator lite subscription ($400/yr) and installed a Skyradar D ($520, factory refurbished). As you know I don't see most traffic without having ADSB-out. And the Nexrad radar has coarser pixels than xm, but it's adequate. One thing GRT still needs to implement is downloading and displaying TFR's (it already does this for xm data). But on the plus side the Skyradar not only feeds the HX, it also feeds via wifi the iPad (either WingX or their own software) and I can see TFRs (and weather and traffic) there. But you really want traffic data on the display in front of you, to be useful. Anyway, as far as I can see in 15 months of no xm payments I'll be ahead.

Edit: I just re-read your post, so I see you cannot "try it out" since you do not have the SX. The Trig does require a dedicated pair of serial ports, make sure you have a free pair before going this route.

Re: Version 10 sw upgrade for the Sport SX

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 2:10 am
by jclark
Keep in mind that the Trig can be used without the remote connection.

I did some of the original testing using the Trig TT-22 with the 2 1/4" control head and the SkyRadar for ADS-B weather and traffic.
The control head that fits in the small panel holes has the encoder built into it as well.

Works great . I have SX's installed.

James

Re: Version 10 sw upgrade for the Sport SX

Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2014 3:32 pm
by jnewsum1
Thanks all for responding to my post about the remote Trig xpnder interface/operation with the Sport SX. GRT tech support provided the details listed below and confirm the comments provided in the previous posts.

The Sport and Trig interface will be much the same as the HXr. It will be slightly different because of the limited number of buttons, but the majority of it stays the same.

Wiring interface is identical to the HXr and all of the setup and wiring are the same. You would have to choose your serial port.

Altitude encoding, GPS position, and Control are all carried across the same two wires for the trig. The system sends the Sport SX internal GPS information to the Trig. You would need to connect a GPS directly to the Trig if you wanted to provide a different GPS to the transponder.