Firmware for M5Stack Unit C6L
D.A.R.S.
Drone Awareness
Relay System
Better airspace awareness for safer drone operations.
D.A.R.S. gives drone operators a complete picture of who else is flying nearby.
It turns your M5Stack Unit C6L into a passive Remote ID receiver and relay —
silently monitoring WiFi and Bluetooth for Remote ID signals from surrounding drones
and delivering a unified feed to your companion app.
Know what's sharing your airspace before problems arise. Whether you're flying professionally,
at a club field, or in complex environments, D.A.R.S. helps you operate with confidence.
What you're buying: the firmware that makes this work.
A 3D-printable case model and LoRa mesh (MeshCore) mode are included free as a bonus.
The D.A.R.S. Android app is a free download for everyone (with an optional in-app PRO upgrade).
D.A.R.S. is independent third-party firmware and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced by M5Stack Technology Co., Ltd. "M5Stack" and "Unit C6L" are trademarks of M5Stack Technology Co., Ltd. D.A.R.S. is likewise not affiliated with or endorsed by the MeshCore project; "MeshCore" is the property of its respective owner, and LORA-mode compatibility is provided on a best-efforts basis.
What it does
Airspace awareness in one device
Know which drones are sharing your airspace. D.A.R.S. consolidates nearby 2.4 GHz Remote ID signals into a single live feed on your phone.
Operating Modes
Four modes, switchable on the device
Switch modes from the on-device button menu — or remotely from the companion app for DARS, USB and SENSOR. Changing the mode reboots the device.
Get D.A.R.S. Firmware
Fly with confidence. D.A.R.S. gives you real-time awareness of the majority of drones sharing your airspace. One purchase, one device — no subscriptions, no cloud dependency after activation. Updates within the same major version are included.
What you're buying
Free bonuses included
The D.A.R.S. Android app is a free download for everyone — not part of this purchase. An optional in-app PRO upgrade is available separately.
Requirements
- M5Stack Unit C6L hardware — sold separately; obtain from M5Stack or an authorised distributor (§11.6).
- A desktop Chrome or Edge browser (v89+) to run the web installer — Web Serial is required; Firefox and Safari are not supported.
- Android 8.0+ for the companion app — a free download for everyone (optional in-app PRO upgrade). There is no iPhone / iPad / iOS version of the D.A.R.S. app, so the live detection feed and SENSOR-mode setup need an Android device. LORA mode is the exception — it works with third-party MeshCore companion apps on Android or iOS. See Terms §11.10.
You are responsible for ensuring that reception and radio operation are lawful in your country (drone, radio-frequency & privacy rules) — see Terms §12.
PRO adds inside Android app: detection logging & export, detection history, the friendly-drones list and webhook / MQTT forwarding. Bought with the firmware it unlocks in the Android app by itself when the app connects to your device — nothing to buy in the app. PRO is also available separately as an in-app purchase.
Processed securely by Paddle, our Merchant of Record. Any VAT / sales tax is calculated and shown at checkout. Your tax invoice is issued by Paddle; your licence contract is with the Seller. By purchasing you agree to the Terms & Conditions.
3D case model & LORA/MeshCore are free bonuses. The Android app is a free download (optional in-app PRO) and is not part of this purchase — see §9.10.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What exactly am I buying for €34?
You are buying the D.A.R.S. firmware licence for one device — a one-time payment, no subscription. The hardware (an M5Stack Unit C6L) is not included and is purchased separately from an electronics retailer. A 3D-printable case model and LORA/MeshCore mode are included free, and the Android app is a free download for everyone.
What hardware do I need?
An M5Stack Unit C6L (ESP32-C6 with OLED display and LoRa module) and an Android phone for the companion app. Installation is done from a Chrome-based desktop browser over USB — no drivers, no IDE, no soldering.
Will it detect DJI drones?
Yes — for DJI aircraft that broadcast standards-compliant Remote ID (ASTM F3411 / ASD-STAN), which covers models built to meet the FAA and EU requirements. It does not decode DJI's older proprietary “DroneID” telemetry, which is a separate protocol on the OcuSync control link. A drone that does not broadcast Remote ID at all cannot be detected by any Remote ID receiver. More on this.
What detection range should I expect?
Realistically a few hundred metres in built-up areas, extending toward roughly a kilometre with clear line of sight. Remote ID is low-power consumer radio, so range is governed mostly by obstructions and antenna placement — and by the drone's transmitter, not by the receiver.
Why not just use an app on my phone?
Most phones cannot put their WiFi chip into the monitor mode required to capture WiFi Beacon Remote ID, so a phone-only setup typically sees the Bluetooth half of local traffic and misses the WiFi half. D.A.R.S. does the WiFi capture your phone can't, scans Bluetooth at the same time, and relays the combined feed to the app.
Is it legal to receive Remote ID?
Remote ID broadcasts are unencrypted and intended to be publicly readable — that is the purpose of the regulation — and D.A.R.S. is a passive receiver that transmits nothing at the aircraft. Radio and privacy law nonetheless varies by country, and what you do with collected data may be regulated. This is general information, not legal advice; check your local rules.
Does it need an internet connection?
Only once, to activate your licence during installation. After that, detection runs fully offline — Remote ID is received directly over the air from the aircraft, with no cloud service involved.
Can I use one licence on several devices?
No. A licence key is locked to one device. If you want to run a second receiver, buy a second licence.
Can I get a refund?
Because the licence key is delivered immediately as digital content, you waive the 14-day withdrawal right at checkout in order to receive it straight away. Full detail is in Terms §8. If the firmware does not work on supported hardware, contact just@getdars.com.