FlyinFlynn

I believe that is right Ron. I only pursue this home built RiD because I have an interest in such things. If some form of network ID is settled upon it should still be within the reach of the DIY home builder. The addition of a sim module has already been proposed, the hardware is trivial, the firmware would need some further work as the implementation so far has not been about network comms rather about positional logging for lost model location. Another problem will arise if the UK powers that be require the transmitted info in a specific, so far, unused format, that will require a substantial re-write of the French firmware because the French format is quite deeply embedded in the firmware as it is (or new UK firmware be written). I would imagine if the requirement strayed too far from the existing format that would also mean the existing commercial hardware would require modification also, probably delaying its implementation, something I imagine, the authorities would be quite keen to avoid.

They are not my offerings, and so far the government from the country of their conception seem happy to accept them, it is certainly possible that 'they' in the UK might want to do that but the problem they will face is how will they be able to make that determination without individual inspection of the device (for which they will require new legislation). They wont be able to tell from the transmitted data, they are digital devices, they do not have a 'fingerprint'. You can make out some of the components inside the Spektrum RID device from their sales leaflet, there is a ceramic antenna from a quectel gps module and something that looks suspiciously like a ESP32 wroom module. They haven't reinvented the wheel, everything digital these days is derived from the 'typical configuration' data supplied with every digital chip. The most expensive item in that device is the sticky label on the front.

I think you will find the French authorities don't give a stuff about your fancy quoted regulations and will, in a typically French fashion, apply the French regulations on French soil. There is not a gendarme in the world that either knows or cares about anything other than the 'decree of December 27, 2019'. The English don't seem quite as adept at conforming to international laws and regulations only when it suits them but you never know...... Until the actual format for the UK is finally decided upon there is little to be gained by arguing the toss about what is and what is not going to work. I just know the commercial offerings that are available now are a total rip-off and may well not conform when the dust settles.

Not a snowballs chance in hell would the French accept that! I assume Andy J was thinking the UK might adopt the same sort of requirements the EU and the US have with regards to both the info and the transmission method meaning the French firmware could be used in the UK with a UK issued ID. Once the device is fired up you can use any wifi enabled device to see the web page the firmware generates and the info transmitted.

Just noticed I missed off a connection..it wont work without it. ...Don't sweat it leccyflier, I'm sure Spektrum will be more than happy to take your cash. What do you imagine is inside one of these? You can even make out the gps module and the esp32 https://www.spektrumrc.com/product/sky-remote-id-module/SPMA9500.html

I tend to agree with you although I doubt it will be 'criminal' in the literal sense. I think this is over regulation if you believe it will prevent illegal activities and it is targeted at the wrong people if you believe it to be about creating a harmonious use of the low airspace. However, in either case, I feel the tide is inexorable. There are those that are in a position where they can take the argument to the 'powers that be' and make our case and more power to their collective elbow, I am not one of those people, so I prefer to direct by resources towards developing a cheap and easily implemented solution to satisfy whatever requirements the government decide upon. I will leave the 'resisting strongly' to those of fighting age and temperament.

If you are talking about the French regulations then this is a translation from the creator of the firmware on the structure of the ID - As soon as the beacon is powered on, even in the absence of a GPS fix, the beacon emits identification messages in accordance with the decree of December 27, 2019. The format of the identifier broadcast is as follows: A 3-character code, supposed to represent the manufacturer's trigram. It must be 000 for a “DIY” amateur construction A 3-character code, supposed to represent the tag model A 24-character code, supposed to represent the serial number of the tag. So it's like: "000FSB000000000000YYYYYYYYYYYYY" The software replaces the last 12 characters with the MAC address of the tag ensuring the uniqueness of the identifier. The user interface displays the tag identifier which must be registered on the AlphaTango site. If you mean where do I insert my UK flier ID then you need to make a couple of edits. Because I have not made a RiD beacon using the Super Mini and an L80 you will need to download the ATGM336H_GPS_ESP32_c3_Super_mini folder and make two changes. The first is you need to edit fs_options.h and uncomment #Define GPS_quectel and comment out #Define GPS_ublox (lines 43 & 44). Then you need to edit the BaliseDGAC_ATGM336H_GPS_ESP32_c3_Super_Mini.ino file at line 117 to be something like - char drone_id[31] = "000mydroneid000001YYYYYYYYYYYY" It has to remain the same length as it is. I would then rename the entire folder to something like BaliseDGAC_L80_GPS_ESP32_c3_Super_Mini (and the .ino to the same name) so it is obvious what hardware it should run on. Looking at the L80 and the super mini - They don't really line up nicely as the L80 is Vcc,gnd,Tx,Rx and the esp is gnd,vcc,4,3 so gnd and vcc will need wires as shown. The L80 should go on top of the esp keeping the L80 antenna clear. Which is why I think the HT1818 gps module might be a better bet (if it works!) This is all dependent on what our magnificent government decide on what it wants re: RiD/nRiD, this wont work with nRiD without reworking both the firmware and the hardware.

Yes. I find, when programming my esp32-c3 there are 3 options in Arduino IDE2.1 - I choose the adafruit option as the serial monitor seems to work better than if I choose the DFRobot option, I'm not sure why. It doesn't make any difference to the hotspot creation though, both work fine. I have not had any problems paying for stuff on Aliexpress...but then again, I don't use Paypal. The pinout on the esp32-c3 lines up nicely with this gps module but it is, as yet, untested.....

Which esp32 are you going for?

Today I received a ESP32-C3 super mini development board from Aliexpress, this board is ridiculously cheap at around $2.50. It has the advantage that it does not need an external antenna for the wifi as it has a ceramic antenna on the board. It weighs 1.4 grams and measures 18x24 mm. It can accept 3.7v on its 5v pin to power the board. As soon as the gps module I ordered arrives (HT1818Z3G5L @ $4.70) I will wire it up to ensure it all works together. The french RiD firmware loads ok so there shouldn't be any problems.

Sure..... how about RS? If that's a bit pricy how about FMG.... ok, they are in Ireland but its pretty close I wonder why you are wanting to buy from the UK when they are all made in China and 10 day shipping is available? Incidentally, it doesn't have to be an L80, There are other gps modules from Quectel that will be a direct plugin replacement (like the L96) providing the module has an on-board antenna. If it doesn't then one can be added but it adds to the build complexity. There are also other manufacturers of gps modules that will work fine (ATGM336H for example), but they are all made in China too 🙂

Not much point in banning IP ,addresses...surely, your access to post your message would be proof of that if they had banned it. Plus, these days, it would could well affect many people unintentionally.

Has your mobile spellchecker been at the Christmas cheer already? 😉

I'll be needing a larger unit to lift my body to the local Intermarche thankyou! 😉

I think Arthur laments the 'decision' to lump all model flying into one category, that is all. I, for one, can see his point but seeing as that particular ship sailed long ago there is little to be gained by pursuing it. I suggest you stop personally attacking him as he has a right to his opinion and all this (somewhat normal) sniping at him is un-becoming.

I don't know the answer to that one, however my old flying club site has a big red splodge over all of it but they still fly from there and the site is registered with the FFAM as a RID free authorised site..... Maybe it is marked as a no fly zone BECAUSE it is registered and non-members are prohibited from flying on it? That might explain the areas around Biscay and the Med if, say, the navy has claimed the use of it for gunnery practice. /straw_grabbing

It isn't just the British... look at the 'gilets jeune's' - sure they put up a fight for a while but in the end fuel prices still went up, Macron is still in power and the retirement age is still going up.

This site shows the extent of the restrictions in France. There are some interesting locations included for some reason..large swathes of the Bay of Biscay and the Med. The red parts are 'vol interdite' (no flying) and the orange flights limited to 30 metres max height.

Funny how FUD has a tendency to become reality.....

Don't all DJI type drones now come with geo-fencing 'chipped at source'? Not too difficult to see future Rx's having network RID designed in at the factory and legacy kit needing to be retro-fitted. But are you SURE your phone it is switched off?

I wonder if anyone has done any proper scientific research and trials as to the level, if any, of degradation on the Tx/Rx link on 2.4GHz with having a RID transmitting on 2.4GHz inches away from the Rx antenna, I somehow doubt it with the modern modus operandi of putting the cart before the horse. Really? If you can solder a new battery connector on the switch you can build one of these things. These are 4 connections between the two devices and two of those line up when placing them on top of each other so really only two wires to run. You don't have to design the firmware or the modules, just connect them together. However, at the moment, not much use to those in the UK A also agree with Ron, RID legislation is never, ever going to stop those that don't want to comply with the regulations so the whole enterprise is doomed to fail in its core purpose.

Home build RID's are available, at least the info on how to build them and suitable firmware is available - IN FRANCE. We have been blighted with RID for longer than you have in the UK and some enterprising souls have come up with the goods! I would point you towards https://github.com/fanfanlatulipe26/BaliseDGAC_GPS_Logger but it is in French and only caters for the French regulations. Once RID is mandated in the UK I would imagine similar projects would grow. It is also just a broadcast RID at present (because that is all the regulations demand) but I wouldn't imagine Mit wouldn't take too much more to add the network element to them. Approx cost of all the materials needed is less than €10, which shows up the profits being made by the commercial manufacturers! There are also data logger displays available to build which will display the transmitted data, approx cost €12 I know it's a crappy video! Coolcut -20231221-1.avi

Dimensions (L × W × H) 35mm x 23mm x 16.5mm.... is not nearly 1.5" square You undermine any argument you are trying to make by posting nonsense such as this. 😉 I built a broadcast RID without the sim card slot and it measures 21x18x14mm plus the stickon bluetooth antenna... Just a smite bigger than on old skool oxo cube.

I didn't tell you you were wrong, I asked a question, that is all.

Ah yes.....I mixed up the CAA with the FAA but I didn't misunderstand the results of the 737MAX inquiry. I now see your point about the CAA.