So let's talk about how the FAA registration database works. This is the database that will be used to one day to confiscate your drone so it's has flexibility and it is comprehensive. Not all drones added to the FAA database (i.e. registered) have to transmit RID. The FAA has an exception when your drone weighs less than 250g and used strictly for recreational purposes, it is not required to be "registered" but you can still add it to the database (see image of my registration where I added the
NEO).
You do this when you one day you wish to attach an external RID module to the drone or you build a homemade drone (without RID) and you will go into the database and assign the two before you fly (if required). In the meantime, my
NEO registration (without a serial number) shows ACTIVE and you can see from the ADD function, this is allowed; there is an option to choose RID = NO in the recreational drone portal. Again, I chose to add the
NEO and while the Nickname field is not required, I put my drone's serial number in it. Legally I can recreational fly the
NEO today with no RID while it is registered. I realize it is debatable whether my
NEO is officially "registered" but I'll let you guys hash that one out. All I know is when the FAA comes calling, they'll want my
NEO as well; they won't say "keep it, it's not registered."
