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.