Knowledge

Is a cheap Bluetooth adapter sufficient for the radio?

Bluetooth serial dongles are available online starting at around €26. The honest answer: Yes – if you're prepared to build the rest yourself. Here's what "the rest" specifically means and when it's worth it for you.

The short answer

Any dongle can transmit data – the real work lies elsewhere.

A generic BLE serial dongle does exactly one thing: it forwards raw serial data via Bluetooth. It doesn't handle cabling, pin assignment, power supply, the protocol of your radio, or pairing with your navigation app. That's precisely the work involved in the product itself.

DIY construction specifically

You'll build that yourself.

Wiring & Pin Assignment Locate the RX/TX, ground, and power connections on the wiring harness of your radio, and solder or crimp them — usually behind the panel.
Radio protocol Each device communicates differently: some accept simple serial commands, others like the Becker AR620x requires bidirectional communication in the exact data format.
App pairing Most navigation apps only pair with adapters they recognize. Generic BLE dongles are currently supported in most cases. EasyVFR.
Power Supply The dongle needs power — cleanly from the radio or vehicle electrical system, properly fused.
Testing & Troubleshooting Debugging is done using the built-in radio in your aircraft. Without reference hardware, any malfunctions remain your responsibility.

Honest recommendation

When self-build is a good choice

There are pilots for whom that's precisely the appeal. Self-building can be suitable if:

You enjoy soldering, and RS-232 is not a foreign word to you.
Your app supports generic BLE devices (e.g. EasyVFR).
Your radio speaks a simple, documented protocol.

Then the dongle is a nice workshop project – good luck with it, I mean that sincerely.

For everyone else: SD-Link This project is now fully built.

Tailored to your radio, plugged in between the radio and wiring harness without soldering, tested on real hardware and natively supported by SkyDemon, Sky-Map, VFRnav, EasyVFR and XCSoar – with a guarantee instead of DIY risk.

Frequently asked questions

Questions about dongle & DIY

Can I SkyDemon Connect with a generic Bluetooth dongle?

SkyDemon supports defined Bluetooth adapters such as SD-Link Native. Generic serial dongles are not intended for connecting radio devices there.

What does a self-build really cost?

The dongle, at around €26, is the smallest item. Additional costs include connectors, cables, and tools — and several hours for wiring, logging, and testing the built-in radio.

Will a generic dongle work with EasyVFR?

Yes — EasyVFR It has supported generic BLE serial devices since the end of 2025. However, you still need to handle the cabling, power supply, and protocol of your radio yourself. SD-Link This work is no longer necessary.

Why does it cost SD-Link More than just a dongle?

Because the work goes into it: protocol implementation for each radio, plug-and-play cable set without soldering, variants for tight installations and EFIS cockpits, testing on real radio hardware, support and warranty.

Ready-made solution instead of self-built

The adapter finder shows you the right one in three steps. SD-Link for your radio.

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