Power Switch: Airtronics SD-10G 2.4 GHz 10-Channel Radio
DENNIS RIDENHOUR
This all-in-one, high-performance computer radio provides sport and competition pilots with a system that is easy to use, powerful, flexible for any application, and affordable. The SD-10G includes a transmitter, receiver, charger, standard switch harness, one servo extension, and a manual. Available aftermarket items include servos, a Lithium transmitter battery, stick extension ends, trainer cord, memory expansion card, and a USB computer interface program and patch cord.
A telemetry system is included and can be customized by the user. Soaring pilots and others can push the "Display" button to power up the screen for programming without broadcasting a signal, saving significant power. The supplied charger is a single-output type for the transmitter; it senses pack voltage and its LED goes from red to green when fully charged. Its rate is 1C, which is safe. I recommend removing the pack and burning in the battery for 24 hours at 150 mA.
The SD-10G was developed from a long relationship between Airtronics technicians and field representatives. It was designed for all RC pilots—sport enthusiasts and demanding competition fliers (fixed-wing, helicopter, or sailplane). The unit emphasizes safety and flexibility: if you turn it on with an incorrect Flight Mode or with the throttle on, the transmitter will alert you. A host of customizable alarm systems and timers are included to help manage flight phases and aerobatic presentations.
I like the clean case design. Despite being loaded with levers, buttons, and switches, the smooth, rounded shape is functional and practical. The fine-grain silver metallic satin coating is nonreflective and easy to clean.
All switches are three-position and numbered (not named) so they can perform almost any function. Some popular switch locations are preprogrammed for faster setup, and all settings are easy to change. Mechanical options include selecting stick operational modes (Mode 1–4) and setting gimbal tensions—soft as delivered or tighter using the included stiff springs. A six-cell NiMH 1500 mAh battery is provided; the transmitter can also handle Lithium power sources if you update the low-voltage alarm appropriately.
The SD-10G uses a three-tier program menu and is built around Flight Modes. Embracing Flight Mode setup makes the experience more enjoyable and powerful. The radio’s logic strength is its ability to handle flight modes, mixes, and delays in flexible ways.
Universal Features
- Compatible with all Airtronics FHSS aircraft receivers.
- Compatible with two-cell Li-Poly batteries.
- Full-range 92104 10-channel 2.4 GHz receiver included.
- Ball-race supported gimbals with adjustable springs and adjustable throttle ratchet.
- Unique "Direct Model Select" allows fast selection of three favored models.
- Stick modes 1, 2, 3, and 4 available (default Mode 2).
- Telescoping transmitter antenna.
- Five complete flight modes that can be named.
- Three-axis triple rates and triple exponential with unique adjustment in each direction of travel.
- All switches are three-position.
- Proportional side sliders with center detent.
- 100% assignable switches.
- 20-model memory and 20 more with aftermarket Sanwa expansion card.
- Airtronics USB cable and program options (available separately).
- Five P-mixes with nine-point curves and graphs.
- Customizable menu.
- Complete trim authority, sensitivity adjustments, and cross trims.
- Fail-safe programming available on all channels.
- Multifunction timer.
- Advanced trainer functions (trainer available only 10G to 10G).
Programming Features
Helicopter
- Advanced swashplate control with both channel and servo EPA, delay, and linear adjustments.
- Three gyro gains in each flight mode.
- Three governor settings in each flight mode.
- Nine-point pitch and throttle curves with graphs.
Aircraft
- Nine-point throttle curve with graph.
- Advanced mixing for roll, pitch, yaw coupling, and engine-thrust compensation.
- Available functions for twin-engine aircraft.
- Throttle Cut button.
- Dual Idle (Idle Down) function.
- Easy setup for differential ailerons.
- Easy setup for dual elevator or V-tail.
Sailplane
- Proper landing-override flight mode.
- Six-servo-wing capable.
- Proper camber-to-elevator and elevator-to-camber mixes with multipoint curves and graph.
- Landing mode assigned to ratcheted stick overrides other modes when activated.
General Specifications
Type: Computer system for RC aircraft Skill: Intermediate to expert Number of channels: 10 Model memory: 20 (40 with expansion card) Frequency: 2.4 GHz FHSS-3 / FHSS-1 selectable Output power: 100 mW Weight with battery: 32.8 ounces Current drain: 240 mA Channel resolution: 1,024 / 2,048 (FHSS-1 / FHSS-3) Power supply: 7.2 V, 1500 mAh NiMH Operating voltage: 6.7–10.2 V Temperature range: 32°F to 122°F Pulse width: 0.9–2.1 ms Trim type: Digital (x6) Gimbal type: Ball-bearing / adjustable in length and tension View screen: 2.7 x 1.4-inch LCD Trainer function: Available Latency: 6.7 ms minimum; 16.3 ms maximum; 11.83 ms average Operational array: Nine switches, six trim levers, two sliders, two buttons, one dial Program input: Five buttons, one multidirectional navigation pad Charger: Input 110 V; output 150 mA Included: 10-channel receiver, switch harness, servo extension, charger, high-tension stick springs Street price: $429.99
Receiver Specifications
Model: 92104 (for 10G transmitter only) Number of channels: 10 Modulation: 2.4 GHz FHSS-3 Voltage: 4.8–7.4 V (2.0 V minimum) Weight: 0.53 ounce Size: 1.95" L x 1.05" W x 0.6" H Intended use: Full range for aircraft Price: $149.99 (included)
Pluses and Minuses
+ Easy navigation; spreadsheet-like menu for control surface and swashplate adjustments. + Simple wing, swashplate, and model templates for easy model setup. + INC/DEC switch allows the pilot to adjust mixing values in flight. + Multiple custom alert options for precision timing of flight schedule. + Comes with the lightest 10-channel receiver available. + Safety Link function (10-channel receiver only) prevents wrong-model operation. + Best 10-channel radio available for less than $500.
- Product bulletin; must send radio back for (free) service.
- Update software not yet available.
- Side slider ratchet is a bit soft.
Notes on Receivers, Performance, and User Experience
There is a cost difference between the seven- and ten-channel receivers (approximately $60). With the 10-channel version you get Safety Link—a feature that binds a specific model memory to a specific receiver (GUID code recognition). Safety Link helps prevent flying a model on the wrong program.
The 10-channel FHSS-3 receiver (92104) is the lightest I've seen and is as light as some seven-channel receivers used in park flyers. It's full range and operates as a stand-alone unit; in composite aircraft the long antenna whiskers can be located externally for reliable reception.
Airtronics initially did not recommend the 10-channel receiver for use with two-cell Li-ion/LiFe or Li-Poly packs, but it has since revised the voltage limitations and now approves higher-voltage use (such as a two-cell Li-Poly pack without a regulator). Be sure your servos can handle the higher voltage.
The 10G is fast, especially with an FHSS-3 receiver. Independent testing shows no other nine- or ten-channel radio is faster on average—partly due to the 10-bit hardware that is fully digital. Faster translation of pilot input to the aircraft improves control feel and performance. Airtronics notes that the SD-10G with the 10-channel receiver may be too fast for some older analog servos; to fully benefit from the high resolution, frame rate, and low latency, digital servos are recommended. I used a mix of modern analog and digital servos with the 92104 receiver without issues; Michael Ramsey used digital servos in a helicopter with excellent results. The FHSS-1-series receivers are compatible with a broader range of servos.
A powerful feature is the INC/DEC control, which raises or lowers a highlighted variable on the LCD. Assigning INC/DEC to a toggle switch makes it easy to change mixing values in flight. For example, you can highlight elevator trim for landing, fly with flaps deployed, and adjust elevator with INC/DEC until the attitude is correct—without landing.
Flight Modes are central to the SD-10G’s flexibility. Normal Mode is the default and suits most pilots, but additional Flight Modes allow rapid changes to control setups. Modes can share or have separate trim and control settings. For example, on my Edge 540 test airplane with two aileron servos, I used Flight Modes to switch between configurations for slow/high-alpha flight and 3-D flying. Flight Modes, combined with INC/DEC, let you fine-tune models in the air and reduce the need for repeated landings to tweak settings.
The SD-10G’s preprogrammed mixing templates and the ability to layer functions make advanced setups intuitive. Features like servo delay (useful for slow retracts) and Flight Mode delay (for slow deployment of flaps and coordinated trim mixes) add polish to model behavior and increase the fun factor.
Overall, the SD-10G is a no-nonsense radio that will grow with you—from basics to competition-level setups—and is designed to help pilots fly better and with more confidence.
MA
Dennis Ridenhour [email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor
Airtronics / Global Hobby Distributors 18480 Bandilier Cir. Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714) 963-0329 www.airtronics.net
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
