Transponder failure

Well, I had the first trouble with the airplane. Upon leaving Quebec City, Tower informed me they weren't getting a radar return from my transponder. Usually this is because the pilot forgot to turn it on. However, despite cycling the power a few times, I could not get it to work.

For those who don't know, the transponder responds to the signal from the airport radar. It identifies the plane on the controller's radar screen with my particular ID, current altitude, and speed. Without it, the controller knows there is an airplane there, but not the details. It's only mandatory in certain high traffic areas (all Class C airspace and some Class D and E spaces too).

Despite the failure, Quebec cleared me enroute to Ottawa, using the flight following service. I still came directly through the middle of Montreal Class C space, but since they knew I had a transponder failure and were talking to me, it was approved.

But now I'm down on the ground in Ottawa/Rockcliffe and it's Sunday morning and the August long weekend. The local Rockcliffe flying club AMEs do not fix avionics. Their CFI told me of a shop at the Ottawa International airport, but of course, no one is answering the phone on the long weekend.

I've talked to our chief AME, Mike, at the Pacific Flying Club and he has authorized me to go ahead and get it fixed.

It's been a beautiful day for flying so far; I got an early start 7am, and was hoping I could make it to Sault Ste. Marie. It's still possible to fly there without a working transponder by staying below 2500 until clear of Ottawa airspace, but I probably have a better chance of getting it fixed here, than at North Bay, Sudbury or Sault Ste. Marie. I can't fly on to Thunder Bay, because even though it is Class E airspace, a Mode C Transponder is a special requirement of their airspace. Can't avoid Thunder Bay, because there is no other fuel around for miles and miles. So ... what to do??

I've left a message with the Canadian Airmotive; hopefully someone will call back (I kind of doubt it till Tuesday), but I'll still have to figure out whether Ottawa Tower will let me fly the plane over there without a transponder, or whether I have to convince the AME to come over here.

Any pilots with suggestions -- I'm open to ideas.