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SQUAWK and Mode 3 Transponder Operation

Transponder Codes

Transponder codes are encoded in octal (base 8), and thus only fit the range 0-7. This means any squawk given with an 8 or 9 in it, is invalid and will not be accepted by your transponder.

LotAtc

Labels

Mode 3 filtered transponder label

%(transponder) can be added to label html to display the current transponder. You can select only the mode 3 portion of the transponder code by using %(transponder|mode3).

Example HTML with Transponder Mode 3:

%(name|10)
%(transponder|mode3)
%(alti_short) %(type)

IDENT

IDENT Lotatc demonstration animation

A controller or C2 may elect to ask for a pilot to IDENT, which will highlight them with a flashing red border in LotAtc. This can be useful for doing checkins/alpha checks, as it highlights the aircraft's position without having to find them in the object menu, or look for their alpha check manually.

Emergency Codes

Emergency squawk LotAtc demonstration animation

When squawking 7700 or 7600, the relevant aircraft will be highlighted by a red block which flashes periodically.

Emergency squawk LotAtc label

Their mode 3 transponder label will also read EMER if 7700 or RDO if 7600 is selected by the pilot.

F14 Tomcat

Mode 3 Transponder

F14 Mode 3 Setup Animation

  1. Enter the RIO cockpit and locate the IFF control panel.
  2. Set the MODE 4 to on.
  3. Input your designated/desired squawk using the rollers under MODE 1 and MODE 3/A.
IFF MODE 4 ..... ON
IFF MODE 3/A ..... CODE

IDENT

F14 IDENT Animation

  1. Enter the RIO cockpint and locate the IFF control panel.
  2. Set IDENT switch on with left click.
IFF IDENT ..... ON

F16C Viper

Mode 3 Transponder

F16 Mode 3 Setup Animation

Note

The Viper does not differentiate between mode 1 and 3 within the cockpit. You will use both the mode 1 and 3 section to input your mode 3 squawk (4 digits).

  1. Switch the IFF Master Knob to NORM
  2. Input your designated/desired squawk using the rollers under Mode 1 and Mode 3.
IFF MASTER KNOB ..... NORM
IFF Mode 1/3 Selector ..... CODE

IDENT

F16 Mode IDENT Animation

  1. Press the IFF IDENT button located on the left side dash.
IFF MASTER KNOB ..... NORM
IFF IDENT ..... PRESS

F/A 18C Hornet

Mode 3 Transponder

Mode 3 IFF demonstration animation

  1. Press the IFF button on the UFC.
  2. Press the On/Off switch on the UFC if you do not see the mode options populated.
  3. Press the 3 C option button on the UFC, to select the mode 3 configuration for editing.
  4. Input your designated or desired SQUAWK.
  5. Press ENT.
IFF ..... ON
Mode 3C ..... ON
Mode 3C ..... CODE

IDENT

I/P pushbutton location

  1. Press the I/P pushbutton on the UFC.

You do not need to hold this down for operation.

IFF ..... ON
Mode 3C ..... ON
I/P Pushbutton ..... HOLD 1 SECOND

Mirage F1

Mode 3 Transponder

Mode 3 IFF Demonstration Animation

  1. Locate the IFF control panel.
  2. Set the IFF Master knob to standby.
  3. Enter your SQUAWK into the Mode 3A section using the number rollers.
  4. Set the Mode 1/2/3A/C to on.
  5. Set the Mode 4 "Password" Knob to A or B depending on preference. Default to A.
  6. Set the Mode 4 Switch to on.
  7. Before taking off, or at ATC request, set the IFF Master switch to on.

During Start:

- IFF Master Knob ..... STBY
- Mode 1 ..... Code
- Mode 3 ..... Code
- Mode 1 / 2 / 3A / C Switch .... ON
- Mode 4 "Password" Knob ..... A / B
- Mode 4 Switch..... ON

Before Takeoff:

IFF Master Knob ..... N

IDENT

  1. Hold the Position/Identification switch in the up position to IDENT.
Position/Identification Switch .... HOLD UP

SRS Overlay

Mode 3 Transponder Setup

SRS Radio Overlay Toggle

SRS Transponder Setup Animation

  1. Show the SRS Radio Overlay before connecting, or alt tab and show it from SRS.
  2. Click the red dot next to transponder to switch it on. You will need to have electrical power and typically engines started to do this, but it varies per type.
  3. Input your designated/desired squawk into the section under mode 3, and hit enter to confirm, or deselect the text input.
Transponder ..... ON (GREEN CIRCLE)
Mode 3 ..... CODE

IDENT

IDENT Button

  1. Press the IDENT button (while grey) to IDENT.
  2. Wait for the controller to either find you and continue relevant procedure, or aknowledge the IDENT.
  3. Press the IDENT button again (while it is green) to stop IDENT.
Transponder ..... ON
IDENT ..... TOGGLE ON
IDENT ..... TOGGLE OFF