OnAirAviation · Experimental
Decode Drone Remote ID with an SDR
OnAir receives Drone Remote ID. Drone Remote ID (ASTM F3411 / ASD-STAN EN 4709-002 Open Drone ID) on 2.4 GHz: Bluetooth LE advertising and Wi-Fi beacons at once; serial number or session ID, UA type, position, height, speed and track, operator position and ID, on a table and a map (receive only: Remote ID is a public broadcast meant for anyone to read; nothing is transmitted).
What Drone Remote ID is
Drone Remote ID (ASTM F3411 and ASD-STAN EN 4709-002) is the broadcast many drones are required to send, with their ID, position and operator location, over Bluetooth LE or Wi-Fi.
Frequencies and where it is used
ASTM F3411 / ASD-STAN EN 4709-002 Open Drone ID on 2.4 GHz: Bluetooth LE legacy advertising (service data 0xFFFA) and Wi-Fi beacons (vendor element FA:0B:BC), both at once from one 20 Msps band at 2432 MHz.
In OnAir the tuning shortcut is Drones, 2.4 GHz; you can enter any frequency your radio reaches.
What OnAir shows for Drone Remote ID
A drone table (serial number or session ID, UA type, position, altitude and height, speed and track, operator position and ID, Self-ID, last seen) and a map with each drone linked to its operator. Receive only: Remote ID is a public broadcast meant for anyone to read; nothing is transmitted. BLE 5 long range and Wi-Fi NAN are not heard.
This receiver is built from the published specification and checked end to end on simulated signals. It has had little or no testing on real transmissions yet, so reports and recordings on Discord are welcome.
Which radio you need
This mode sits at a high frequency, so check that your radio tunes it: a HackRF covers 1 MHz to 6 GHz, and RTL-SDR stops near 1.7 GHz. Some modes at these frequencies also need a fast radio (10 to 20 Msps) or a dish and an LNB.
Questions about Drone Remote ID
Can I decode Drone Remote ID with an RTL-SDR?
Probably not: an RTL-SDR tunes up to about 1.7 GHz. A HackRF (1 MHz to 6 GHz) or another wideband radio is the usual choice for this frequency range.
Is it legal to receive Drone Remote ID?
Receiving aircraft broadcasts is legal in many countries, but some restrict listening to or using what you hear. OnAir is a receiver. Check the rules where you live.
Can I try Drone Remote ID in OnAir without a radio?
Yes. Most modes include a built-in synthetic test signal, so you can open the screen and try the controls before you own a radio.
Try it without a radio
OnAir includes built-in synthetic test signals for most modes, so you can open this screen, see the layout and try the controls before you own a radio. The Tour button walks you through the app.