The power switches were put on the transponders originally for test and calibration but that was pre-crazy world. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert B." To: Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 5:25 PM Subject: Re: [OT:] Aircraft transponders > I'd imagine they need to be able to be power cycled in the event of failure, > like pretty much every other electronic device. Also its undoubtedly > protected through a fused circuit to prevent a fire in event of malfunction, > which makes a convenient way to "turn it off". > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Mike Hord" > To: > Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 5:17 PM > Subject: [OT:] Aircraft transponders > > > > One of the things that I'm hearing in NPR coverage of the > > 9/11 commision's findings is that the aircraft in question were > > lost because the hijackers turned off the transponders. > > > > I'm now certain that any question I can ask can be answered > > by someone on the PICLIST, so I'll ask this now: > > > > Why on Earth is there an off switch on the transponder? > > What could EVER make turning the transponder off a good > > idea? > > > > Side point: how difficult would it be to set up several > > antennas to pick up aircraft transponders, triangulate their > > position, and project that info onto a map? I think it would > > be fun to monitor local air traffic. Is this even legal? I know > > that's the kind of thing that may not go over well these days. > > > > Mike H. > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee. > > Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 > > > > -- > > http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different > > ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different > ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.