Prague-based Dronetag, which builds Remote ID hardware and software, launched its Scout Gen 2, the second generation of its fixed Remote ID receiver for public safety, critical infrastructure, and security organizations. This new release receives Remote ID on both 2.4 and 5 GHz on every antenna, omnidirectional and sector alike, something the company says no other receiver on the market can do.

Dronetag calls out the updated receiver as being most important for Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs. It specifically points to performance with Skydio drones, which broadcast Remote ID on 5 GHz, with the company reporting over 1,000 dock deployments with public safety agencies across the U.S. So far, receivers have picked up 5 GHz solely on omnidirectional antennas with an ability to track Skydio drones to about one mile. Dronetag reports that, in its High Performance configuration, Scout Gen 2 extends that range to over five miles, which it says is beyond the operating ranges of DFR programs like Chula Vista (one mile), Arlington PD (1.5 miles), and Chattanooga (three miles).

It is the right time for the industry for this kind of product launch, as flight operations have become more and more automated, a trend that will only accelerate whenever the final Part 108 rule is released. The Dronetag Detection Network of over 3,000 receivers shows that autonomous drone operations have grown more than 2.6 times year over year, according to the company, with about a quarter of flights recorded in the U.S. now being autonomous.

In addition to receiving 5 GHz on every antenna, the Scout Gen 2 brings a few other features noted by Dronetag. On 2.4 GHz the company reports a 10 percent improvement in Remote ID reception. Additionally, LTE is now standard, with the U.S. version FirstNet-capable, though full support is waiting for a forthcoming firmware update. Finally, the new Aviation High Performance configuration combines High Performance Remote ID with manned traffic monitoring (e.g., ADS-B, ADS-L, UAT, FLARM) in one receiver.

“We saw extending the 5 GHz range as a logical and necessary step. Public safety teams need to trust what they see in the air around them, and Scout Gen 2 gives them that confidence across their whole operation,” said Lukas Brchl, CEO and co-founder of Dronetag.

Scout Gen 2 is sold in four standard configurations: Baseline, Aviation Baseline, High Performance, and Aviation High Performance, and is available for purchase in the Dronetag e-shop.