G530 WAAS Question

logansc · #1 11-08-2013, 09:14 AM

I have two antennas hooked to my Garmin 530W (plus GPS, of course); one for VHF and one for the VOR system. Do I need a third antenna for the glideslope or do I only need a splitter or do I need nothing all additional to get the glideslope feature to work?

I currently have solid VOR azimuth performance including sensitivity switching, etc. but no glideslope.

I heard this a couple of different ways now, so thanks in advance for any insight provided...

Lee...

RV7A Flyer · #2 11-08-2013, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by logansc

I have two antennas hooked to my Garmin 530W (plus GPS, of course); one for VHF and one for the VOR system. Do I need a third antenna for the glideslope or do I only need a splitter or do I need nothing all additional to get the glideslope feature to work?

I currently have solid VOR azimuth performance including sensitivity switching, etc. but no glideslope.

I heard this a couple of different ways now, so thanks in advance for any insight provided...

Lee...

If it's the same as the 430W, you need to split the VOR antenna with this:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...coupler507.php

One output to the VOR/LOC input, one to the G/S input.

You *could* put a dedicated G/S antenna on, but try splitting it first.

logansc · #3 11-08-2013, 06:02 PM

Thanks, Joe (RV7A Flyer). Confirms my suspicions. I actually had a splitter sitting around so I installed it this afternoon. I'll test fly tomorrow...

I appreciate the information...

Lee...

Brantel · #4 11-09-2013, 05:29 AM

Lee,

Hopefully you used a diplexer not just a splitter.

The diplexer actually has filters in it to separate the two frequency ranges. A splitter just ties em both in parallel.

The splitter might work but it will have at least a 3db loss of signal. The diplexer does not split the signal, it separates it into two distinct ranges.

logansc · #5 11-09-2013, 03:31 PM

Thanks Bryan; yes I believe I used the right part. Didn't get to fly it on a checkout flight today. Got some IFR practice in with a friend in his Piper Archer II and then another friend flew his RV-8 for the first time, so I flew chase on that effort (not very well, though!). I'll check it out tomorrow.

I used a RAMI AV-570 Diplexer Coupler. It is supposed to be specifically designed to provide signals to both nav and glide slope functions on 108-118 and 328-335 MHz, respectively.

Thanks for the advice, guys...

Lee...

TS Flightlines · #6 11-10-2013, 06:52 AM

Lee--
Check with Walt Aronow at Expaircraft in FT Worth---bet he has the answer.
Tom

Auburntsts · #7 11-10-2013, 01:42 PM

As I'm smack in the middle of wiring, the splitter question piqued my interest. My setup is a little different in that I have a single cat whisker Nav antenna feeding an SL 30 and a GTN 650. Both boxes have only a single nav input as both have an internal diplexer to split the VOR and GS signals.

I just looked and I have a RAMI 507 diplexer that I bought probably a couple years ago when my "planned" panel was 430 and an SL 40. Based upon the previous posts do I need to ditch the diplexer in favour of a straight splitter?

Walt · #8 11-10-2013, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brantel

Hopefully you used a diplexer not just a splitter.

The diplexer actually has filters in it to separate the two frequency ranges. A splitter just ties em both in parallel.

Actually the 430 and 530 installation manuals call for a splitter.

Todd, you most definatately need a splitter and not a diplexer.

Auburntsts · #9 11-10-2013, 02:12 PM

Thanks Walt. I figured as much but just wanted to make sure...

logansc · #10 11-10-2013, 02:17 PM

Okay, now I'm a little confused. Just got back from flight testing my new Diplexer and it seemed to work just fine. If I should have used a splitter instead, it was not apparent. My 530 picked up the localizer and the glideslope just where I expected and both were stable and steady throughout.

Flew the ILS to Rnwy 23 at KRBW giving my whole system a pretty good workout: Had my TruTrak Pilot II fly azimuth while I controlled pitch/power/glideslope. Then I hand flew the GPS LPV approach to Rnwy 05 at KJYL with similar results. Hard to tell any difference between the ILS and the GPS LPV approaches. I had not flown either before; I have a lot more to go before I get really comfortable with either, but these are really sweet systems as everyone who uses them regularly knows. I was very pleased with the TruTrak btw, even though it doesn't have GPS steering/vertical steering.

If TruTrak will ever come out with their Gemini AP880, I'll be a happy camper---that is, if E-Mag will ever come out with their six-cylinder P-Mag too.

Sheesh!

Lee...