Welcome back! Today I’m diving deep into the Radiolink T16D transmitter – a budget-friendly 16-channel radio that’s caught my attention. This is going to be a comprehensive look at unboxing, features, functionality, and my honest first impressions.
Price Point and Value Proposition
Let’s start with the most important question: what does this transmitter cost? A quick search shows the T16D retailing around the £120 mark (approximately $150 USD). For that price, you’re getting a 16-channel transmitter bundled with a receiver, which positions it firmly in the budget-friendly category.
What Does Radiolink Promise?
I always start by checking the manufacturer’s website to see what they’re claiming. Here’s what caught my eye:
- 16 fully proportional channels
- Long range module support (ELRS, Crossfire compatible)
- 100 model memory storage
- 4,000m control distance
- 3 millisecond response time
- 4096 resolution
- 2.8″ color screen with 240×320 resolution
- Built-in simulator support (no dongle needed!)
Operating System and Software
The T16D runs on FreeRTOS with LVGL GUI, which Radiolink claims is more powerful and efficient than some open-source systems that have stopped updating. As a software guy myself, I appreciate when manufacturers invest in keeping their systems current and providing unlimited upgrades.
Long Range Module Support – A Game Changer
This feature particularly impressed me. The T16D supports mainstream long-range modules including:
- Crossfire (TBS Crossfire TX, Crossfire Nano)
- ELRS (ExpressLRS Nano TX and Micro TX)
- BetaFPV modules
These modules simply clip onto the back of the transmitter – I haven’t seen this implementation before, and it’s a smart design choice that makes the transmitter more versatile for drone pilots.
Unique Features That Stand Out
Customisable Voice Broadcast
The T16D includes personalized, user-definable voice broadcasts. The language, form, and content can all be customized according to your needs. I’m definitely interested to test this feature out.
Specialized Applications
What really surprised me was the level of customization for different RC categories:
- Excavators: 32 groups of programmable mix control for oil pumps, hydraulics, chainsaws, buckets, sound modules, and lights
- Bait boats: Save up to 100 fishing spot coordinates with GPS integration and custom naming
- Racing drones: Real-time RSSI telemetry and BetaFlight integration
Radiolink has clearly gone beyond just saying “this works with everything” – they’ve built specific functionality for different applications.
Built-In Simulator Support
This is brilliant: the T16D features built-in simulator support with no extra dongle needed. Just connect via the included USB Type-C cable to your computer and you’re ready to go. It’s compatible with:
- Phoenix
- FPV simulators
- Aerofly
- Uncrashed
- Liftoff
The fact it works with both Windows and macOS systems is a huge plus – many manufacturers ignore Apple users, which has always frustrated me as a Mac user.
Power Options and Battery Life
The T16D offers impressive flexibility when it comes to power:
- 8x AA batteries
- 2S to 4S LiPo batteries
- 18650 lithium batteries
- USB Type-C power bank connection
Radiolink claims the transmitter consumes 50% less power than similar products, with up to 12 hours of operation on an 1,800mAh LiPo battery. That’s exceptional for bench setup sessions or long flying days. Plus, the reverse polarity protection means you won’t damage the transmitter if you accidentally connect the battery backwards.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The T16D arrives in a protective carry case – always a nice touch. Inside, you’ll find:
- The transmitter itself
- R16F receiver (16-channel)
- Neck strap
- Spring and hook for self-centering throttle
- Multiple cables including USB-C
- 4GB TF card
- Printed manual
- Battery tray for AA batteries
Physical Design and Build Quality
Picking up the transmitter for the first time, the weight feels reasonable. The anodized sticks are adjustable (standard screw-apart design), and the switch spacing feels adequate – I can comfortably fit my fingers between them.
Notable physical features include:
- Four 2-position switches
- Three 3-position switches
- Two dials
- Two spring-loaded sliders
- Digital trims
- Selection wheel with center push-button
- Spring-loaded VR wheels on the back (interesting design choice)
The screen has a protective film which you can remove. The display is clear, though the font is quite small due to the 2.8″ screen size – understandable given the budget price point.
Powering Up and User Interface
I loaded eight AA batteries (Amazon Basics in my case, though I’d use LiPo for flying applications) and powered up the transmitter for the first time. A long press on the center button brings up a “Welcome to Radiolink” voice message and splash screen.
Main Screen Layout
The home screen displays:
- Model name (top left)
- Signal strength indicator
- Battery voltage (showing 12.1-12.2V with AAs)
- Model type icon (fixed wing, helicopter, etc.)
- Two timers
- RSSI, receiver voltage, and external voltage readings
- Trim positions with visual indicators
- Screen lock status
The screen is not touchscreen – all navigation is done via the selection wheel and buttons.
Menu Navigation
Pressing the “Mode” button brings up the main menu with four primary sections:
- General Settings
- Advanced Settings
- Receiver Settings
- Monitor
Initial impressions of the menu system are positive. Everything is logically organized:
- Monitor: Shows real-time servo positions and switch states
- Reverse: Servo reversing by channel
- Endpoints: Travel adjustment for all 16 channels (paginated across two screens)
- Channel Speed: Servo speed control with switch assignment
- Trims: Sub-trim adjustments
The wheel navigation works smoothly, and the pagination system for accessing all 16 channels is well implemented.
Why Transmitter Software Matters
Before going further, I want to address something important: why people stick with transmitter brands. In my experience, it’s not just about the hardware – it’s about the software and user experience.
When you’re familiar with a particular brand’s menu system, you know exactly where to find servo reverse, sub-trims, mixing functions, and flight modes. Making the leap to a new brand means learning a completely new system, which many pilots are reluctant to do.
What matters most to me in transmitter software:
- Intuitive navigation: Can I find what I need quickly?
- Logical organization: Are similar functions grouped together?
- Sufficient functionality: Does it do everything I need for my models?
- Clear visual feedback: Can I see what I’m adjusting?
The user experience is often more important than the visual design, though both matter.
Firmware Updates and Documentation
I’m impressed with Radiolink’s approach to firmware and documentation. Their website features:
- Clear firmware download sections
- Software for both Windows and macOS (thank you!)
- Video tutorials for upgrades
- Detailed changelogs listing new features and fixes
- Online manuals that stay current
Pro tip: Always check the online manual rather than just relying on the printed version. Online documentation is more likely to be up-to-date, while printed manuals could be a year old.
Why Firmware Updates Matter
I always encourage people to update firmware on both transmitters and receivers. Software is written by humans, and humans make mistakes. Regular updates fix bugs, improve performance, and often add new functionality. The T16D makes this easy with USB-C connectivity and straightforward update procedures.
What’s Coming Next
This initial overview only scratches the surface. There’s so much more to explore with the T16D, including:
- Detailed menu system walkthrough
- Receiver binding and setup
- Firmware update process
- Simulator connectivity testing
- Telemetry data exploration
- Long-range module installation
- Model programming examples
Initial Verdict
For around £120, the Radiolink T16D appears to offer exceptional value. The feature set rivals transmitters costing significantly more, and the manufacturer has clearly put thought into specialized applications beyond basic flying.
What impresses me most:
- Long-range module compatibility
- Built-in simulator support without dongles
- Flexible power options including USB-C power banks
- Comprehensive documentation and firmware support
- Application-specific features (excavators, bait boats, etc.)
- Excellent battery life claims
The small screen font is really the only drawback I’ve noticed so far, and that’s a reasonable trade-off at this price point.
Stay tuned for follow-up videos where I’ll dive deeper into specific features, test the transmitter with actual models, and see how it performs in real-world applications. If there are particular aspects you’d like me to focus on – simulator testing, telemetry, firmware updates, or anything else – let me know in the comments!
What are your thoughts on budget transmitters? Have you tried the Radiolink T16D? Share your experiences below!
