VRC Documentation

Assigning a Squawk Code

One of the most common things you'll do when working with aircraft is assigning squawk codes. A squawk code (a.k.a. transponder code) is a four digit number which uniquely identifies the aircraft on the network. Assigning a squawk code is also one of the primary ways controllers can "radar identify" a target. There are several ways to assign a squawk to an aircraft in VRC:

• Press F9 and slew the target.
• Select the target, press F9, then press your ASEL key.
• Use the button on the Flight Plan Editor window. (See "Viewing & Editing Flight Plans")

All of the above methods will assign a code based on the code range specified for your position in the currently-loaded POF file. If you would rather assign a specific code, then you can either enter the code into the appropriate field on the Flight Plan Editor window and press the "Assign Squawk" button, or you can press F9, enter the code, then slew the target or press ASEL if the aircraft is already selected.

Note that if you allow VRC to automatically choose the squawk code (this is the most common method) then a code will be chosen from the range specified in your POF file, but VRC will automatically skip over any codes that have already been assigned to aircraft within range (by you or any other controller) as well as codes that are already being squawked by aircraft within range. VRC keeps track of the last code that it assigned from your code range, and uses the codes in order until reaching the end of the range, then starts from the beginning again.

Note that you cannot assign a squawk code to an aircraft if another controller is tracking it.

[ Print this page ]