A standard Remote ID broadcast is a structured digital message, typically sent over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, that repeats several times per second while a drone is powered on and flying. Anyone with a compatible receiver within range of the broadcast (not just the FAA) can pick up this message. Understanding what's actually in it helps set realistic expectations for what Remote ID can and can't tell you.
Core message elements
The FAA's standard defines a consistent set of fields. Every compliant broadcast includes a unique identifier for the aircraft (either a serial number assigned by the manufacturer or a session-specific ID) along with the drone's latitude, longitude, geometric altitude, and velocity. The message also includes an emergency status indicator the aircraft can flag if needed, a timestamp, and the drone's take-off location and elevation.
Broadcast modules added to existing aircraft are permitted to send a slightly reduced set of fields compared to drones with Remote ID built in at manufacture, but the identity, position, and timestamp information remains consistent across both approaches.
Control-station location: an important caveat
One field that gets particular attention is control-station (operator) location. Standard Remote ID broadcast modules are generally only required to report the drone's take-off location, while built-in Remote ID systems typically report the live location of the control station itself. This means operator location is available when it's included in the specific broadcast type in use. It is not guaranteed in every case, and take-off location is not always the same as an operator's current position if they're on the move.
This distinction matters for anyone using Remote ID data operationally: the message tells you a great deal about the aircraft itself, but what it tells you about the person flying it depends on the equipment they're using.