Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Straight answers on detection layers, standards, evidence and buying. Anything missing — ask us directly.
Detection & technology
Can an RID receiver detect every drone?
No. Remote ID receivers hear aircraft that broadcast Remote ID — most consumer and commercial drones sold since 2023 do. Modified and FPV aircraft that stay silent are invisible to RID; they require an RF-spectrum layer. And no detection technology stops an aircraft — that is not what detection is for.
Do I need the RF-spectrum layer too?
Only if non-broadcasting aircraft are a proven concern for your site. RF-spectrum sensors start around $3,500, have higher false-alarm rates in shared Wi-Fi bands, and provide weaker identity evidence. Start with RID; add RF where you have a documented gap.
Which Remote ID standards are covered?
Depending on the candidate: ASTM F3411 (US/international), ASD-STAN PrEN 4709 (EU), UK RID, GB 42590 (Chinese-market aircraft) and DJI Drone-ID. Multi-standard decoding matters if grey-import or Chinese-market aircraft fly in your area — most Western receivers decode ASTM only.
Is detection legal?
Receiving Remote ID broadcasts is passive — the aircraft transmits by law, and receiving that transmission is permitted. Jamming, spoofing or taking down an aircraft is illegal in most jurisdictions. We do not sell or advise on counter-drone interference equipment.
Buying & services
Why buy through Ridfinder instead of directly from a vendor?
Because the cheapest mistake is buying the wrong layer or an unverified claim. We compare candidates against your constraints with sources and dates, list what we could not verify, and stay on your side of the table. Any referral fee is disclosed to you in writing first.
What exactly is in the $199 selection report?
Two to three candidates matched to your hard constraints, parameter-by-parameter comparison with source links and check dates, interface samples, an unverified-items list, and a 30-minute walkthrough call. If we miss a constraint you gave us in writing, we rework it or refund it.
Do you publish measured performance data?
Our field validation programme is in progress. Until we publish measured data, every range figure on this site is labelled vendor-reported with the date we checked it — and you should demand written test conditions from any vendor before comparing.
How fast do you respond?
Requirements screening and quote requests: reply within one business day. Reports are delivered within the timeframe stated in the scoped quote.
Question not answered here?
Do I have to pay monthly?
No. The hardware works fully offline — local logging, local alerts and the web UI all function without any subscription. Optional cloud services (correlation across nodes, history, integrations) are add-ons, never a requirement.