splitting a GPS

[larywil]

I hope to istall a single axis trio A/P in my RV-3B. Will I need a separate GPS antenna, or can I somehow use a splitter on
the Garmin antenna that feeds my ECHO ADS-B in? If I need a separate antenna, can it be placed very close to the Garmin,
which is just behind the roll-over bar. Thanks in advance.

 

[BobTurner]

I hope to istall a single axis trio A/P in my RV-3B. Will I need a separate GPS antenna, or can I somehow use a splitter on
the Garmin antenna that feeds my ECHO ADS-B in? If I need a separate antenna, can it be placed very close to the Garmin,
which is just behind the roll-over bar. Thanks in advance.

I’m confused by this post. The Trio does not have an internal gps receiver. If you want it to track a gps course you’ll need to feed that data to it from a gps. Can you use a gps receiver you already have, for adsb-out? Maybe.
Generally speaking splitters are discouraged for gps antennas:
1. Different receivers may have different gain requirements. Antennas should be matched to the receiver.
2. Most gps antennas are fed dc power up the coax, to power a small low noise amplifier. Special splitters are needed to pass the dc unattenuated, while keeping the dc from 2 different receivers from fighting each other.
3. Some antennas have demonstrated a failure mode where they radiate a signal and block other nearby antennas.
Not saying it can’t be done, but not easy.

 

[larywil]

I’m confused by this post. The Trio does not have an internal gps receiver. If you want it to track a gps course you’ll need to feed that data to it from a gps. Can you use a gps receiver you already have, for adsb-out? Maybe.
Generally speaking splitters are discouraged for gps antennas:
1. Different receivers may have different gain requirements. Antennas should be matched to the receiver.
2. Most gps antennas are fed dc power up the coax, to power a small low noise amplifier. Special splitters are needed to pass the dc unattenuated, while keeping the dc from 2 different receivers from fighting each other.
3. Some antennas have demonstrated a failure mode where they radiate a signal and block other nearby antennas.
Not saying it can’t be done, but not easy.

 

[larywil]

I understand the confusion. But, in fact, I do not use a dedicated GPS nav receiver. I have flown my old RV-4 across the US
many times using an old fashioned GPS with no output capability. Now, I use my iPhone or iPad with ForeFlight. My objective is to have a hands free ability when needed, and to follow a self-directed GPS course, not necessarily a GPS track. . I know that most people use a GPS Nav to feed the A/P
track info, but I'm just not that guy. With a Garmin Aera 760 feeding my A/P, I'd probably fall asleep and be on Captain Steeeve's next YouTube video.

All that being said, I thank you for your advice suggesting to NOT use a splitter ( I kind'a thought it might be a potential problem). I will also ask Trio about using an antenna mounted on top of my panel like I did with my old Trutrak.

BTW, I'm strictly a VFR, blue sky pilot, but that old Truetrak saved my bacon and sanity on several occasions. I'm now 83, and flying with only one eye. My new RV-3B is actually harder to handle than my -4. Actually, what I need is an 3 axis A/P with Autoland capability.