MmowW's Vice Director Pippo here. If you own a drone manufactured before the Remote ID mandate, you have a choice: buy a new drone with Standard Remote ID built in, install a Broadcast Module, or limit yourself to FRIAs. For most operators with existing fleets, the Broadcast Module is the practical path to compliance. Here is exactly what that involves.

Quick Takeaways
  • A Broadcast Module is a retrofit device that adds Remote ID capability to drones without built-in Standard Remote ID.
  • Modules must meet the performance requirements of 14 CFR 89.320 and carry a valid Declaration of Compliance (DOC).
  • Broadcast Modules transmit the takeoff location instead of the real-time control station location (the key difference from Standard Remote ID).
  • Operators using a Broadcast Module must maintain visual line of sight at all times.
  • The broadcast data elements are otherwise identical to Standard Remote ID per 14 CFR 89.315.

Table of Contents

  1. What Is a Remote ID Broadcast Module
  2. When to Use a Broadcast Module
  3. Performance Requirements (14 CFR 89.320)
  4. How Broadcast Modules Work
  5. Installation Process
  6. Standard Remote ID vs. Broadcast Module
  7. Declaration of Compliance
  8. Limitations
  9. Frequently Asked Questions
  10. Summary

What Is a Remote ID Broadcast Module

A Remote ID Broadcast Module is a standalone electronic device that attaches to a drone and broadcasts the identification and location data required by 14 CFR Part 89. It is the FAA's designated retrofit solution for drones that were manufactured without built-in Standard Remote ID. The module is a separate piece of hardware with its own GPS receiver, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi NAN transmitter, and power source (or connection to the drone's power system). It operates independently from the drone's flight controller, meaning it does not integrate with the aircraft's avionics. It simply broadcasts position and identification data based on its own sensors.

Think of it this way: Standard Remote ID is like a car that comes with a built-in GPS tracker from the factory. A Broadcast Module is like an aftermarket GPS tracker you install yourself. Both transmit your location, but the aftermarket version has some limitations.

When to Use a Broadcast Module

A Broadcast Module is the right choice when:

  • You own a drone manufactured before September 16, 2022 (the date manufacturers were required to include Standard Remote ID).
  • You fly a custom-built or DIY drone that does not have built-in Remote ID hardware.
  • You want to continue using your existing fleet without purchasing entirely new aircraft.
  • You operate outside of FRIAs and therefore cannot rely on the FRIA exemption.

Common mistake: Assuming that any Bluetooth device or GPS tracker counts as a Remote ID Broadcast Module. Only devices with a valid FAA Declaration of Compliance satisfy the requirement. A generic GPS tracker, no matter how similar its function appears, is not a legal substitute.

Performance Requirements (14 CFR 89.320)

Section 89.320 establishes the performance standards that every Broadcast Module must meet. These requirements ensure that the module reliably transmits the correct data in the correct format.

Key requirements include:
  • The module must broadcast all data elements specified in 14 CFR 89.315 (unique identifier, aircraft position, velocity, control station/takeoff position, time mark, emergency status).
  • Broadcast must begin before the drone is airborne and continue until the drone is no longer in operation.
  • The module must use Bluetooth 4.0 Legacy Advertising, Bluetooth 5.0 Long Range, or Wi-Fi NAN as the broadcast protocol.
  • Position accuracy must meet the same standards as Standard Remote ID: 100 feet for aircraft position, 15 feet for control station altitude, and 150 feet for aircraft altitude, all at 95% confidence.
  • The module must be tamper-resistant in design. It should not be easily modified to broadcast false data.

Module Compliance Checklist
  1. Device has a valid FAA Declaration of Compliance (DOC)
  2. Device broadcasts all 14 CFR 89.315 data elements
  3. Device uses approved broadcast protocol (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi NAN)
  4. Device meets position accuracy requirements
  5. Device is securely attached to the aircraft
  6. Serial number of the module is linked to your FAA registration in DroneZone

How Broadcast Modules Work

The operational cycle of a Broadcast Module follows a predictable sequence:

  1. Power on: When the drone is powered on (or the module is independently powered), the module initializes its GPS receiver and broadcast transmitter.
  2. GPS acquisition: The module acquires a GPS fix to determine its current position. This becomes the takeoff location that is broadcast throughout the flight.
  3. Broadcast begins: Once GPS lock is achieved, the module begins broadcasting all required data elements via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi NAN.
  4. During flight: The module continuously updates and broadcasts the drone's latitude, longitude, altitude, and velocity using its own GPS receiver. The control station location field transmits the takeoff location (the position where GPS was first acquired), not a real-time operator position.
  5. Landing and shutdown: The broadcast continues until the module is powered off or the drone is shut down.

Technical note: Because the module has its own GPS receiver independent of the drone's flight controller, there may be slight differences between the position the module broadcasts and the position the drone's own telemetry reports. This is expected and acceptable as long as the module meets the accuracy requirements of Part 89.

Installation Process

Installing a Broadcast Module is straightforward for most drones, but there are compliance requirements beyond simply attaching the device.

Physical installation:
  • Attach the module securely to the exterior of the drone or within an accessible compartment.
  • Ensure the module's GPS antenna has a clear view of the sky (do not bury it inside a carbon fiber shell that blocks GPS signals).
  • Connect the module to the drone's power supply if it does not have its own battery, or ensure its internal battery is charged.
  • Verify the module does not interfere with the drone's own GPS, compass, or communication systems. Mount it away from electromagnetic interference sources.

Registration linkage:
  • Log in to the FAA DroneZone at faadronezone-access.faa.gov.
  • Associate the Broadcast Module's serial number with your aircraft registration.
  • This step is critical. A module that is not linked to your registration in DroneZone does not satisfy the compliance requirement.

Common mistake: Installing a module and assuming you are compliant without linking it in DroneZone. The FAA requires the module serial number to be associated with your registered aircraft. An unlinked module is equivalent to no module.

Pre-flight verification:

Before each flight, confirm that:

  • The module is powered on and has acquired a GPS fix.
  • The broadcast indicator (LED or app notification, depending on the module) confirms active transmission.
  • The module is securely attached and the GPS antenna is unobstructed.

Standard Remote ID vs. Broadcast Module

Understanding the differences helps you evaluate which pathway fits your operation.

Feature Standard Remote ID Broadcast Module
Integration Built into the drone by the manufacturer Separate device attached to the drone
Control station location Real-time operator position Takeoff location only
GPS source Drone's own GPS receiver Module's independent GPS receiver
VLOS requirement Per applicable operating rules Explicitly required (14 CFR 89.320)
DOC holder Drone manufacturer Module manufacturer
Broadcast data All 14 CFR 89.315 elements All 14 CFR 89.315 elements
Accuracy requirements 100ft/15ft/150ft at 95% 100ft/15ft/150ft at 95%
Broadcast protocol Bluetooth or Wi-Fi NAN Bluetooth or Wi-Fi NAN
The most significant operational difference is the control station location. Standard Remote ID broadcasts the operator's real-time GPS coordinates, which update as the operator moves. A Broadcast Module only transmits the GPS coordinates of the takeoff location, captured when the module first acquires a fix. If the operator moves during the flight, the module does not reflect that movement.

Why this matters: Law enforcement using Remote ID detection apps can pinpoint a Standard Remote ID operator in real time. With a Broadcast Module, they can only determine where the drone took off. This is one reason the FAA considers Standard Remote ID the superior compliance method.

Declaration of Compliance

Every Broadcast Module must carry a valid Declaration of Compliance (DOC) issued by the FAA. The DOC confirms that the module manufacturer has demonstrated compliance with all Part 89 requirements through testing and documentation.

What operators need to know:
  • Verify the module's DOC status before purchasing. The FAA publishes accepted DOCs on its Remote ID declarations page.
  • A module with a revoked or expired DOC does not satisfy Remote ID requirements, even if the hardware still functions.
  • The DOC is the manufacturer's responsibility to obtain and maintain. However, if you fly with a non-compliant module, the enforcement action falls on you, not the manufacturer.
  • Keep documentation of your module's DOC and serial number with your other flight records.

Limitations

Broadcast Modules have specific limitations that operators must understand.

  1. Takeoff location only. The module cannot broadcast your real-time position as an operator. If you are conducting operations where law enforcement needs to locate you (which is the entire point of Remote ID), the module provides less information than Standard Remote ID.

  1. Visual line of sight required. 14 CFR 89.320 explicitly requires that operators using Broadcast Modules maintain visual line of sight with the aircraft. While most Part 107 operations already require VLOS, this is a binding constraint for module users regardless of any future BVLOS waivers.

  1. No integration with flight controller. The module operates independently. It does not receive flight data from the drone's autopilot, which means it relies entirely on its own GPS for position data. In environments with poor GPS reception, the module may broadcast less accurate positions than the drone itself could provide.

  1. Additional weight and mounting. The module adds weight to the aircraft. For drones near the 55 lb (25 kg) Part 107 limit or with tight payload budgets, this matters.

  1. Power management. Modules that draw from the drone's battery reduce flight time. Modules with their own battery require separate charging and monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use one Broadcast Module across multiple drones?

Technically, you can move a module between aircraft, but you must update the DroneZone registration each time to associate the module serial number with the correct aircraft. Flying with a module linked to a different aircraft registration is non-compliant.

How much do Broadcast Modules cost?

Prices vary by manufacturer, but modules typically range from $50 to $200. The cost is significantly less than replacing an entire fleet with Standard Remote ID drones.

What happens if my module loses GPS mid-flight?

The module will stop broadcasting accurate position data. You should land as soon as practicable. Continuing to fly without a functioning Remote ID broadcast is a violation.

Do I need a Broadcast Module if I only fly in a FRIA?

No. If you exclusively fly within FAA-Recognized Identification Areas, you do not need any Remote ID equipment. However, the moment you fly outside a FRIA, you must comply through Standard Remote ID or a Broadcast Module.

Can I build my own Broadcast Module?

No. A homemade device cannot receive a Declaration of Compliance from the FAA. Only commercially manufactured modules with valid DOCs are acceptable for compliance.

Summary

Remote ID Broadcast Modules are the FAA's approved retrofit solution for drones without built-in Standard Remote ID. They must comply with 14 CFR 89.320, carry a valid Declaration of Compliance, and be linked to your aircraft registration in DroneZone. Modules broadcast the same data elements as Standard Remote ID per 14 CFR 89.315, with one key difference: they transmit the takeoff location instead of the operator's real-time position. This distinction means modules provide less information to authorities than Standard Remote ID, and their use comes with an explicit visual line of sight requirement. For operators with existing fleets who cannot afford or justify purchasing all-new Standard Remote ID aircraft, the Broadcast Module is the practical and legal path to compliance.

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Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only by MmowW / Sawai Gyoseishoshi Office. It does not constitute legal advice. Drone regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the FAA at faa.gov/uas before operating. MmowW is not a certification body, auditor, or government authority. Loved for Safety.

References

  1. 14 CFR Part 89 โ€” Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft โ€” ecfr.gov
  2. 14 CFR 89.320 โ€” Remote ID Broadcast Module Performance Requirements โ€” ecfr.gov
  3. 14 CFR 89.315 โ€” Broadcast Requirements โ€” ecfr.gov
  4. FAA Remote ID Overview โ€” faa.gov/uas/getting_started/remote_id
  5. FAA Accepted Declarations of Compliance โ€” faa.gov/uas/getting_started/remote_id/declarations
  6. FAA DroneZone โ€” faadronezone-access.faa.gov