Squawk Codes Options

[Ranger]

Just wondering here ... is it a generational thing or have the English language gurus made a change that I'm not clued into yet?

I always thought that the word, “YOUR” was an adjective that meant “belonging to you,” and the contraction, “YOU'RE,” meant “YOU ARE,” followed by what it was that you were accused of being (or were suspected or questioned of doing or becoming), as in “YOU’RE WRONG.” The use of this colloquial contraction seems to have been replaced with the use of the adjective ... or it would seem so ... as in the use of the newer colloquialism, "my bad," or "your bad," meaning either I have erred or you have. Is it now legitimate to use the adjective, "YOUR," in conjunction with the word, "WRONG" (as used in this thread "YOUR WRONG"), to indicate an opinion that a statement or position is (or was) an error committed by the accused person - much as one would have used the newer colloquialism, "YOUR BAD?"

I certainly don’t want the masses to be bereft of understanding whether or not the Rant Master still “HAS GAME!”

Your right as usual. I'd be lieing if I said anything else. And there are to many other examples to list hear.

(Too subtle?)

[AirRabbit]

Your right as usual. I'd be lieing if I said anything else. And there are to many other examples to list hear.

(Too subtle?)

To answer your question ... for some here ... way to subtle!

[Piltdown Man]

The reason that the code only uses 0-7 is the very low power of the ATC computers back in the late 50s (?) when the transponder was introduced.

For some reason Octal was considered to be a more efficient way of transmitting numberical data in the eraly days of transponders. I'm sure an "old fashioned" radio technician could tell us why. Initially these devices were installed in military aircraft (WW2) and were part of a system called "Identification Friend or Foe" and were introduced into civilian aviation shortly after.

PM

[Kilrah]

Simple efficiency compromise...
You usually don't want to do unnecessary calculations or transmit more data than needed, especially back then where devices like a transponder had to be made of basic hard-wired logic circuits and a simple function would take heaps of hardware.

An octal digit is encoded into 3 bits, using all combinations. A decimal digit needs a 4th one, but then you only use 10 of the 16 available combinations, which is a waste of space (physical one to wire the extra circuitry needed, and time to transmit it). As the 4096 possible combinations allowed by 4 octal digits are already more than enough, it would make no sense wasting resources for nothing. And making 10-position rotary knobs isn't a fun idea either.

[AIRCRAFT ENGINEE...]

OK - why are squawks "octal"? Because the "system is set up as "binary" and the place to "stop" is 8 - otherwise, in order to complete the "cycle" it would need to go to 'F' (like in computer hexadecimal - 16 bit based - 10 wouldn't be efficient use as was said)

In the beginning (WWII), it was a TWO digit IFF (64 codes) that soon became 4 (4096 - 64 squared) as the system expanded to bring in the airlines. I would tell you also that MILITARY XPDR codes include "more" info than just the 4 digits (and it is "really still" IFF for the military. "IDENT" paints a double line on the screen for easy recognition

One code that isn't used IIRC at all is 0000 (don't remember exactly why, though)

And when changing codes, NEVER dial thru the first digit "7" - it might send off an emergency code by mistake (and the 7XXX codes light up the controller's screen - plus they are persistent - and one gets "urgent" radio calls )

[The Airbuser]

And when changing codes, NEVER dial thru the first digit "7" - it might send off an emergency code by mistake (and the 7XXX codes light up the controller's screen - plus they are persistent - and one gets "urgent" radio calls )

Hang on one sec...in my area the codes assigned are "74XX", and sometimes we get an enroute change from "74" to "14". So, what's the thing about the 7XXX codes???

Ed

[Piltdown Man]

Airbuser, I agree. Dodgy old SSR processors were panicked by a 7nnn code. I'm not sure how many sweeps of the code there had to be to set it off, but apparently this did happen. Nowadays, as squawks of 7nnn are regularly allocated, this can no longer be the case.

PM

[Harmattan96]

I once was assigned the 0001 code, needless to say I felt special.

[Harmattan96]

Just wondering here ... is it a generational thing or have the English language gurus made a change that I'm not clued into yet?
(...)
I certainly don’t want the masses to be bereft of understanding whether or not the Rant Master still “HAS GAME!â€�

Yes, yes, indeed... Alas( or should it be but), I have always wondered how is it that I can speak three (or should it be 3) languages, and orthograph ( or should it be spell) them correctly; whilst (or should it be while) others butcher away their (or should it be there) one native language in the name of simplicity (or should it be imbecility)? Blame it on internet "chatrooms", and mobile telephone text messages (or should it be SMS).
Dig this? You gots game R-master, don't you let nobody desrespect. There wrong!

N.B: Last sentence is evidently edited for the fun factor. Have no fear, I won't turn to the dark side. Thread hijacking over, you can stop bleeping your 7500s and resume your normal squawk codes.

[AirRabbit]

Last sentence is evidently edited for the fun factor. Have no fear, I won't turn to the dark side. Thread hijacking over, you can stop bleeping your 7500s and resume your normal squawk codes.

Message received and understood. As my very favorite radio communication from ATC once said, "(Call sign), traffic twelve o'clock, your level, two miles and closing. Change transponder to one two zero zero. Squawk 'Ident.' Frequency change approved. Have a nice day."