Best practice is to verify everything is working as soon as possible. Especially before you closeup the compartment, Even if you can get back into the area. Catch a problem as soon as you can.

But how do you test your transponder, you ask. It’s actually very easy. For $35 you too can test your transponder. Purchase a SDR that attaches via USB. I lot of sdr come with antennas. But you don’t need that since you will only be a couple feet away from your planes antenna. Then download 1090 app on your Android phone or Windows laptop.

When the app runs there is very little setup. Just press the play button and you will see your planes tail number if it is transmitting. On Garmin prodcucts, you will have to put them into ground maintenance mode.for them to broadcast. From the g3x just press mode button then on the lower right maintenance mode enable.

Test often !