RID2CalTopo
CommunityManaged

Managed coordination for SAR organizations

Know where the
drones have searched.

RID2Caltopo turns broadcast Remote ID into shared field awareness— helping search teams see aircraft, preserve coverage, and coordinate operations from Android, iPhone, and iPad.

See what's available Understand the tracker

Android and Apple test invitations are provided by email while the latest release completes field testing.

RID2CalTopo illustration reading Know where the drones have searched, with two aircraft tracks on a topographic field map
Purpose-built for volunteer search teamsAndroid • iPhone • iPadOpen-source core

The field link

From aircraft signal to a useful search record.

STEP 01

Aircraft broadcasts

Drones used in a SAR mission are required to broadcast ASTM F3411 Remote ID.

DroneScout Bridge mounted high on an antenna mast

STEP 02

Bridge receives

A DroneScout Bridge can receive Remote ID broadcasts over thousands of feet when terrain, line of sight, and radio conditions cooperate.

STEP 03

RID2Caltopo records

RID2Caltopo records tracks locally and directly to CalTopo Teams incident maps.

STEP 04

Squinters review video

Stream video locally from a drone to a tablet to engage squinters in reviewing the live feed.

A clear capability boundary

Free app first. Tracker when coordination grows.

RID2Caltopo and a DroneScout Bridge provide the core field tools. An optional r2c-tracker service adds cross-device coordination and server-side services.

FREE RID2CALTOPO APP

Works without a tracker.

$0

Install the app, deploy a DroneScout Bridge for reliable Remote ID reception, and connect directly to your CalTopo Teams incident map.

  • Receive and display ASTM F3411 Remote ID broadcasts
  • Record aircraft tracks locally on the phone or tablet
  • Publish tracks directly to CalTopo Teams incident maps
  • Stream controller video locally for squinter review
  • Capture potential clues and use on-device anomaly assist
  • Use the core field tools without an online coordination service
OPTIONAL MANAGED TIER

Adds compliance awareness and coordination.

STARTER

The founding managed service starts with three practical needs. Organizations can still self-host the open tracker instead.

  1. 01
    FAA, airspace & land-use checks

    Bring nearby flight restrictions, operational airspace context, and protected-land checks into the incident workflow with visible freshness and availability status.

  2. 02
    Multiple R2C zones per incident

    Coordinate multiple RID2Caltopo tablets and DroneScout Bridges, assign aircraft ownership, relay sightings, and suppress duplicate CalTopo tracks.

  3. 03
    BVLOS flight record support

    Retain an organization-wide record of flights, tracks, timestamps, aircraft metadata, and exports to support FAA BVLOS documentation and review.

  4. 04
    Pilot-authorized video for Incident Command

    Let authorized IC personnel request a live drone feed. Video leaves the field tablet only after the pilot approves the connection.

FOUNDING PILOT • AVAILABLE ON IOSPilot-authorized live video for Incident Command

IC may request temporary access when direct oversight is needed. The feed begins only after approval on the RID2Caltopo tablet. Android support is in progress.

Record retention supports an organization's documentation; operators remain responsible for their authorization, procedures, and applicable FAA requirements. FAA BVLOS information

Built honestly.Android IC streaming and some external-radio workflows remain under implementation or physical-device qualification. We publish testing status instead of presenting incomplete evidence as field readiness.

Choose your path

The app stays free. Coordination is your choice.

The app and Bridge can work directly with CalTopo. Teams that need distributed coordination can learn about the r2c-tracker service, host it themselves, or join the managed pilot.

COMMUNITY$0 forever

Run it your way.

Use the mobile app locally, publish directly to CalTopo, or deploy and administer your own open-source tracker.

  • Free Android and Apple apps
  • Local Remote ID awareness
  • Optional CalTopo publishing
  • Open r2c-tracker source
Self-host the tracker
FOUNDING PILOT$100 / organization / year

Let us handle the tracker.

A cost-sharing pilot for volunteer organizations that want compliance awareness and incident-wide coordination without administering cloud infrastructure.

  • FAA, airspace, and protected-land checks
  • Multiple R2C zones and Bridges per incident
  • Organization-wide BVLOS flight record support
  • Pilot-authorized live video to Incident Command
  • Organization onboarding
  • Reasonable-use cloud hosting
Request a managed pilot

Starting proposal, not a locked commercial price. Higher-cost services would be transparent and optional.

Learn in the field

Short tutorials. Real workflows.

The video library is being prepared alongside the next tester release. These are the first walkthroughs on the production list.

01

Field setup

Set up the DroneScout Bridge

Placement, height, radio range, and keeping the phone or tablet close enough for a reliable link.

Video coming soon
02

Configuration

Connect RID2Caltopo to CalTopo

Import organization settings, select an incident map, and verify publishing before a mission.

Video coming soon
03

Operations

Run a multi-zone search

Deploy multiple receivers, understand ownership, and recognize a healthy tracker connection.

Video coming soon

Field testers wanted

Help make the next release dependable.

We’re looking for SAR drone teams, pilots, communications specialists, and technically curious volunteers willing to test real equipment and report what happens.

Request Android test access Request Apple test access Store invitation links will replace email after release testing.

Looking ahead

Build what field teams actually need next.

FREE APPRemote ID • Shared tracks • Local video • Anomaly assist
MANAGED STARTERFAA / airspace / land checks • Multi-zone incidents • BVLOS records • Pilot-authorized IC video
EXPLORINGCloud video storage and playback • Trained-model video review

Roadmap items are research directions, not release commitments. Operational decisions must always be based on verified information, trained personnel, and applicable procedures.