Ruko R111 Remote ID Module $40

[@DenCoDave]

Just bought one based on your video. Matches and exceeds the others I've seen lately, esp price. I plan to use it even at my club (FRIA) because of the find lost bird feature. Thanks much

[@TimMcKay56]

Thanks for this update! Tim

[@willowehrich6207]

Thank you for bringing this to our attention! I am so glad I waited to get a module because this one is exactly what I was looking for! No need to hook it up to power, light weight, and easy to use! I just bought mine for $35 on amazon.

[@TimMcKay56]

Good for you!

[@mikenadler7118]

This sounds like a good item for my friends that fly sail planes. We recently lost one and it was found 4 1/2 miles away in a drainage culvert. Another good and worthwhile video.

[@TimMcKay56]

Mike: Thanks for checking in!

[@JeffinLowerAlabama]

Tim great review, looks like a great RID. I like the information you get from a RID, been using mine for over a year. Jeff in LA USA

[@TimMcKay56]

Jeff: Thanks for the info!

[@kennymanchester]

Nicely presented. Thank you.

[@TimMcKay56]

You are welcome!

[@dougj8186]

Big thanks, Tim. Tower hobbies (twice) cancelled my Spektrum Sky RID at the intro $75 price (now $99.99). Just bought the Ruko R11 on Amazon for $33.99! Lost model feature to boot.

[@TimMcKay56]

Doug: Well done!

[@MikeHammer1]

Just received one today from Amazon for $35. Seems well made.

[@TimMcKay56]

Congrats!

[@MarkLawry]

It makes great sense to have a dedicated battery, because it will work longer than your plane's main battery if it goes down in the weeds.

[@TimMcKay56]

You got that right!

[@Corrigan65_]

I'm not going to Maiden my big A10 this year, but thank you for this

[@TimMcKay56]

Thanks!

[@sabertoothanimations2912]

I'm still very uncomfortable with the idea of live broadcasting my and my drones location out there like that Glad you brought up what seems like the better device out there, but when a ultralight maned aircraft only needs a radio but my 50$ RC plane needs a live tracker of both me and where i fly, i just kinda feel like their is an anterior motive here by the FAA

[@TimMcKay56]

It’s just where we are. Drones can take off and land anywhere with minimal training. Due to their cameras drones are incentivized to fly away from club fields, thus airspace violations. RID is here to stay in some form. 🤔🫢

[@cafeandfighters]

FAA clearing the sky's for AMAZON delivery drones. FAA works for big business, just like the rest of our government

[@williamcrane8236]

Remember that when voting. Especially when they keep saying "The majority of americans want a National Gun Registry". Cuzz once they know where they are, here they come a knocking. Model airplane users? Nobody gave a damn. BUT quad copters flying into the back of troop carriers with a grenade on them ala Ukraine? Well lets get them all registered. They have to be built like that to be sold now cuzz just like a criminal with a gun, a remote control bomber isn't going to play by the rules.

[@WA1LBK]

Thanks for the information on this! 🙂 - Amazon happened to have it on sale for $33.99 when I checked; and since I had about $16 worth of points (from Amazon Prime Day purchases, including a Mavic Mini 2 marked down to $230! 😃), my final cost was less than $20! 😁 I've heard a lot of discussion within the RC community on compliance with this ruling; since I do a fair amount of flying with UMX & park flyer style airplanes at local parks & a neaby community college soccer field, this should cover the larger park flyers (such as my e-Flite "Visionaire"); I think my UMX planes (like my YAK-54 3D) fit into the sub - 250 gram category. I also recently started going back to the AMA Club field I belong to; recently got one of the eFlite F4U Corsair 1.2 M scale warbirds (my Dad was a Corsair mechanic with the Marines in the Pacific theatre in WW 2!), & I think the Corsair is too fast to safely fly at the parks; the club field is also a FRIA. (Although I discovered to my surprise at a visit this weekend, it's now a "No Drone Zone" becuase of its proximity to a nearby state prison! 🤔). The fact that you mentioned the app can also be used as a lost aircraft locator was what made me decide to "pull the trigger" on getting one; as in the case of that guy's lost quad in the woods, it could easily recuperate its own cost in a similar situation. 🙂

[@TimMcKay56]

Sounds like you have a plan!

[@davidbell4986]

Thsnks for the video. You al😊ways explain RC and have great tips. For the tracking device, I'll not use one. FCC regulations for hobbyists? Too much..

[@TimMcKay56]

We fly in the national airspace system, regulations have started and are here to stay.

[@williamcrane8236]

So, does the phone app record speeds? Altitude? etc. can it give us live data. Other then reporting to the FAA does it give US any useful data other then I'm over here?

[@TimMcKay56]

Not sure, will check.

[@kkuenzel56]

I'd like to know how it works to find a lost model? Does it rely on Bluetooth? That would seem like it would have very short range. Does the Ruko have live flight data like altitude or speed?

[@TimMcKay56]

I believe it uses Bluetooth. Agree also there may be range limitations. I do not think the Ruko provides telemetry info like altitude or airspeed.

[@johnmacdonald5610]

You looked at several modules. What did you personally go with?

[@TimMcKay56]

I like the Ruko. Compact, well designed and has an internal battery.

[@rcflyer8473]

Do you also have to register your model helicopter with the faa

[@TimMcKay56]

Yes. Just considered by FAA as small unmanned aircraft. Fixed wing, gliders, drones, helicopters, etc. over 250 grams.

[@CustomBuiltDIY]

So does the app record and document all of your flight paths and data?

[@TimMcKay56]

I believe so.

[@BryonGaskin]

I have this one, small and simple, range is limited, easy to fly larger model LOS and exceed range of unit. Now even though this is not the type of remote I'd that uses the controller's GPS location, it does log the take off location as the operator location

[@TimMcKay56]

Thanks!

[@RobertCookcx]

Just bought one based on your help Tim. Thanks. When I enter the binding, I have to enter a plane but when I move it to another plane, do I have to keep re-entering the new plane informatino or is it OK to just leave in a general plane data since the binding and GPS will be working anyway.

[@TimMcKay56]

Robert: As a recreational pilot, you link your RID with your FAA registration number at the FAA's Drone Zone website. Then, you add whatever RC model or drone you are flying to the Drone Zone list of models. You need one RID module that can be swapped between aircraft that you are flying. All this assumes your model is over 250 grams and you are not flying in a FRIA.

[@alexannis4740]

On sale for 29 dollars at Amazon, my drone already have a GPS. Bought this for FAA new rules.

[@TimMcKay56]

Great!

[@FlyingFun.]

I prefer line of sight flying for my planes and the only fpv i do is really small racing / fun micro drones but this would be ok i guess if i felt the need to broadcast my personal details to everyone and anyone which i don't.😂

[@TimMcKay56]

Copy all. 😊

[@thomasnewton9818]

By using this RID module, can someone gain enough information to copy your information to a different RID a use it to incriminate your in illegal flights.

[@TimMcKay56]

No.

[@spokaneman7327]

I just ordered this for a DJI Inspire 1 V2.0 that I recent acquired, largely based on your video. I’m curious the range of this module. I imagine it is limited, but at the moment I’m going for the cheapest option that will keep me compliant and out of trouble!

[@TimMcKay56]

SM: Great! The range of any RID module depends a lot on the electromagnetic environment, height of the module, etc. Range is not part of the FAA's technical requirements, rather that the unit can pass an FAA Declaration of Compliance, which the R111 can do.

[@spokaneman7327]

@@TimMcKay56 In one video I watched about RIDs the person indicated that some pilots might appreciate having less range for the signal, but that would also mean that the Find It feature would be basically useless for longer flights.

[@TimMcKay56]

@@spokaneman7327 A dilemma!

[@eartag794]

Thanks for bring this RID module to our attention!

[@TimMcKay56]

No worries!

[@Jebusisblatantidolatry]

Yeah so we can avoid it

[@andrewbaerm.d.3984]

Got this for an older drone just to be compliant. However, I seriously doubt it will be of much use to find an aircraft on the ground because Bluetooth doesn't have much range. I have yet to try and range test it on the ground.

[@TimMcKay56]

Well, it is better than nothing. Hopefully when the aircraft does down, I put my transmitter on ground with the antenna pointed to the last known location. Head that way and I think you'll pick up a signal.

[@andrewbaerm.d.3984]

​@@TimMcKay56my Evo 2 Pro V2 drone controller will give me the last location...a find my drone feature. But, if it proves to have a decent range, I will use it in my RC aircrafts even though not required, to find one if it should be lost. Some people suggests using an airtag like device to accomplish the same thing. However, I have no experience trying that out. I'm going to range test the module and share the result here.

[@TimMcKay56]

@@andrewbaerm.d.3984 Thanks! Airtags are not a great idea. They are fully dependent on being in an environment with a lot of Bluetooth signals to determine location. Basically no BT signals out where we fly.

[@DugWagner]

I just got one for $33 on Amazon.

[@TimMcKay56]

Well done!

[@EclecticLensYT]

Same 😅👍

[@my_dear_friend_]

The price is right and less than 14 grams ain't too bad either.

[@TimMcKay56]

Agree! And at least for now an additional $5 at Ruko and Amazon. 😊

[@my_dear_friend_]

@@TimMcKay56 - I think you mean 'additional $5 off'.

[@gordonmckay4523]

@@my_dear_friend_ Correct!

[@MrRaginglizard]

Anyone have experience with this device tracking a lost drone in a cornfield? Is it truly a gps tracking vs local Bluetooth connection like AirTags?

[@TimMcKay56]

It uses GPS. Issues will be range (likely less than 800 meters) and battery life.

[@MrRaginglizard]

I’m confused. If it uses gps, why the limited range? Wouldn’t it ping a satellite which would be sent to my phone? If it uses Bluetooth, how can its range be anywhere close to 500-800 meters?

[@TimMcKay56]

@@MrRaginglizardg

[@TimMcKay56]

GPS satellites are 11,000 miles in space. The R111 gets its position from these satellites. The R111 use Bluetooth to transmit this position info, thus the range limitation.

[@MrRaginglizard]

Huh. I didn’t know Bluetooth could transmit that far. I just want to be able to find my plane when it crashes in the cornfield. Your videos and response are very helpful. Thank you!

[@iudahuhfuafguafg]

Im still not buying it, ill stick to the flying field 😂

[@TimMcKay56]

Very good!

[@lifelongpatriot3695]

Dang.i just spent 100 bucks on a specktrum unit.

[@TimMcKay56]

Sorry!! 😖😟🙈

[@Corrigan65_]

That's kind of funny Tim; explaining to us Ruko and Roku are different. Don't get me wrong, I love the fact you pay attention to detail and are looking out for us

[@TimMcKay56]

Thanks!

[@JDsRCModelWorld-up7ws]

There's only 14 FAA enforcement officers for the whole United States! I have the Holy Stone and Spectrum units. I now fly from a FRIA. This program rollout will go down in history as the stupidest one in history.

[@TimMcKay56]

RID is here to stay. This is the initial iteration. Gotta start somewhere.

[@Jebusisblatantidolatry]

Exactly. No one is going to buy one. It's stupid and I will not comply.

[@TimMcKay56]

It may help you locate a downed model. 😁🙄

[@Jebusisblatantidolatry]

@@TimMcKay56 gps.

[@Jebusisblatantidolatry]

@@TimMcKay56 its about government control.

[@Jebusisblatantidolatry]

@TimMcKay56 we've been flying models for a 100 years. Now all of a sudden we can't fly without the governments consent??

[@gordonmckay4523]

@@Jebusisblatantidolatry You don't need USG permission to fly. Rather, just follow a few simple rules to share the National Airspace System with a lot of other users.

[@edwill62]

No RID here ever Tim. Besides in another year or less ( I do not think it will be the entire 5 year FAA Auth ) we will have Network ID and these modules will be obsolete anyway. Network ID in the near future is going to be horrible, from what information I have been hearing .

[@TimMcKay56]

RID is here to stay (due to commercial interests), but like any new technology will advance and change a lot. Think tape recorders to 8 track to cassettes to DVD to streaming music from your smart phone. But I guarantee you these older RID modules will be grandfathered.

[@Nogill0]

Damn! It takes a smartphone. I don't have one, and there's no way in hell I'll ever get one. Flip phone only and that's the end of that story. I HATE "smart" phones.

[@TimMcKay56]

Smart phones are quite useful. 😊👍🏻

[@TheBarneyCat]

BUy a cheap smart phone that still works from a thrift store, it does not need to have phone service it only needs the Bluetooth working...

[@Nogill0]

@@TheBarneyCat Hmm. I'll look into that.