How to Add Remote ID to a Home-Built FPV Drone
Add Remote ID to a home-built FPV drone by fitting a broadcast module. A home-built drone has no built-in Remote ID, so it needs a module that broadcasts its ID and position. The Holybro module broadcasts over WiFi and Bluetooth from a PX4 or ArduPilot controller. Check the FAA Declaration of Compliance list first.
Quick facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Rule | FAA Part 89, drones that must be registered need Remote ID |
| Home-built drone | No built-in Remote ID, needs a module or FRIA |
| Holybro module | $49.99, WiFi and Bluetooth, CAN or serial |
| Broadcast module flight | Visual line of sight only, per the FAA |
| Sub-250g recreation | Exempt from registration and Remote ID |
| DOC check | FAA UAS Declaration of Compliance list |
Does a home-built FPV drone need Remote ID?
Yes, if the drone must be registered. A drone at 250g or more must be registered, and any Part 107 drone must be registered at any weight.
A home-built drone has no factory Remote ID. It needs a module, a Standard Remote ID build, or flight inside a FRIA.
A sub-250g drone flown only for recreation is exempt. Check the FAA Remote ID page for the exact thresholds.
What are the three ways to meet the rule?
Fly a Standard Remote ID drone with built-in broadcast. Fly with a Remote ID broadcast module attached. Or fly inside a FRIA.
A home-built drone uses the module path or the FRIA path. A Standard Remote ID build needs a manufacturer DoC submission.
A broadcast module flight must stay within visual line of sight at all times, per the FAA rule.
Which module fits a home-built FPV drone?
Pick a module that appears on the FAA Declaration of Compliance list when you need a plug-and-play retrofit. Only a listed module meets the rule.
The Holybro module is a Standard Remote ID solution for manufacturers and integrators. It is not a verified plug-and-play broadcast module for end users.
The Holybro module costs $49.99 and runs ArduRemoteID firmware. It needs a PX4 or ArduPilot controller with a free CAN or serial port.
How do you wire a Remote ID module?
Mount the module clear of carbon and metal so its antenna can broadcast. Power it from the flight controller at 5V.
Wire the CAN port to a DroneCAN port, or wire the serial port to a TELEM port. Set the port for Remote ID traffic in the firmware.
Check the module status in your ground station before takeoff. ArduPilot shows Remote ID status in Mission Planner and QGroundControl.
How do you register the module in DroneZone?
Log in to FAA DroneZone and open your drone registration. Answer the Remote ID question with yes.
Enter the serial number from your FAA-accepted broadcast module or Standard Remote ID drone. Do not enter a serial from an unverified module.
Check the FAA DOC list for your module first. A serial that is not on an accepted DOC does not meet the rule.
How the options compare
| Remote ID path | Fits | Flight limit | Needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast module | Home-built and older drones | Visual line of sight | DOC-listed module |
| Standard Remote ID | New factory drones | No VLOS limit from RID | Built-in broadcast |
| FRIA | Recreation pilots | Inside the FRIA only | FRIA site access |
How do you add Remote ID to a home-built FPV drone?
- Weigh the drone and check if it must be registered.
- Check the FAA DOC list for an accepted broadcast module.
- Mount the module clear of carbon and metal.
- Wire it to a CAN or serial port on the flight controller.
- Enter the module serial in DroneZone and test the broadcast.
Parts that fit this guide
In-stock parts ship from the New York, USA warehouse in 1-2 business days. Prices below are the live store prices we verified on November 10, 2026.
Holybro Remote ID Module With Case – WiFi / Bluetooth, CAN / Serial, PX4 / ArduPilot ($49.99)
Remote ID module at $49.99. It broadcasts over WiFi and Bluetooth and runs ArduRemoteID firmware.
MAVLink2 WiFi Telemetry Module for Pixhawk/APM ($42.99)
Telemetry module at $42.99. It gives a MAVLink2 WiFi link for Pixhawk and APM flight controllers.
Matek F405-WING V2 Flight Controller with OSD and SD Slot for ArduPilot / INAV ($138.99)
Flight controller at $138.99. It runs ArduPilot with OSD and an SD slot for fixed-wing builds.
Shop the full range: GPS, Telemetry and Sensors at Quality RC Parts. See also: Related guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does my 5-inch FPV drone need Remote ID?
Yes, if it weighs 250g or more or flies under Part 107. Most 5-inch builds cross 250g.
Can I use the Holybro module as a plug-and-play fix?
No. It is a Standard Remote ID solution for manufacturers and integrators, and no DOC entry for it as an end-user module could be verified.
What happens if I fly without Remote ID?
You break the FAA rule when your drone must be registered. Fly inside a FRIA or fit a listed module.
Does a sub-250g whoop need Remote ID?
No, for recreation only. A sub-250g drone flown only for recreation is exempt from registration and Remote ID.
Sources
- FAA Remote ID rule and guidance
- FAA UAS Declaration of Compliance list
- Holybro Remote ID overview and spec
- ArduPilot Remote ID documentation
- FAA DroneZone
Last updated: November 10, 2026.