Originally Posted by
Jan Olieslagers
@BPF: And my experience is that if I can't demonstrate a least class C transponder my local FIS don't care - unless I might have been busting some airspace of course. If they have no more interest in me, then surely I am not going to bend over backwards to please them.
ATC exist to serve you, not the other way around. You are not bending over backwards to please them, you are fully utilizing a service that increases
your flight safety. However they can't help you if they can't see you so yes a mode C transponder is the "price" for accessing this service.