Paging n00b: Is there a primer?

[fogster]

I've recently become interested in alphanumeric pagers, but don't know a lot about what's involved. Is there a good guide out there? Everything I've found is either way too basic ('Paging transmitters send data over radio waves' sort of stuff), or way too complex (analyzing the structure of POCSAG/Flex). Are there any halfway-decent 'primer' sort of things out there to start me off in the right direction?

Essentially, I'd like to pick up a used pager on eBay and program it. Do I just need to know the frequency and capcode? What type of setup is involved in programming? Are they easy to come by? How about the software? Is it as tightly-controlled as two-way radio RSS?

How common is VHF compared with 900 MHz pagers? I see a lot more 900 MHz ones out there, but there are also a ton that make no mention of frequency. (I'm looking for VHF.) Is there an easy way to identify what band a pager is on? (Assuming it doesn't have the frequency printed on the back, of course.)

Thanks for any pointers you might have.

Oh, maybe a silly question, but I told you I really don't know anything about pagers: is it possible to set a pager up to do more than one capcode?

[Bob]

While not really a 'primer', I've found Brad Dye's page to be an excellent resource. It's well worth the time to poke around there.

http://www.braddye.com

[spareparts]

Essentially, I'd like to pick up a used pager on eBay and program it. Do I just need to know the frequency and capcode? What type of setup is involved in programming? Are they easy to come by? How about the software? Is it as tightly-controlled as two-way radio RSS?

Oh, maybe a silly question, but I told you I really don't know anything about pagers: is it possible to set a pager up to do more than one capcode?

Lets start at the beginning: You mentioned VHF. Do you have a VHF frequency available? If so can you add Data to the license? (while it is technically possible to do paging on 2M amatuer, it's not legal).

Next question: Do you need tone, numberic or text?

Programming software: All of the vendors I use provide the cradle & software as part of the purchase agreement. On a single unit purchase likely you would have to buy them. One provides it for free download.

Capcode question: Yes you can, the total number of capcodes is hardware dependant (IE on the pager itself) I currently use pagers with up to 4 seperate capcodes in a healthcare envoirnment.

BTW, I would second Bob's endorsement of Brad Dye's site

[bellersley]

(while it is technically possible to do paging on 2M amatuer, it's not legal).

Why isn't it legal on amateur radio? The law only stipulates that 1-way communication is only permitted for the purpose of establishing communications, as a beacon (on HF) and for brief tests. A page such as "Call me on 146.520" is certainly for establishing communications, therefore not illegal.

[Johnny Galaga]

If you buy a pager on eBay, make sure it doesn't have a password, otherwise you won't be able to re-program it. Many eBay sellers won't know if it has a password, and if you ask 'em, they think that simply being able to power-up the pager means it has no password which is wrong.

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=61018

[Jonathan KC8RYW]

(while it is technically possible to do paging on 2M amatuer, it's not legal).

Why isn't it legal on amateur radio? The law only stipulates that 1-way communication is only permitted for the purpose of establishing communications, as a beacon (on HF) and for brief tests. A page such as "Call me on 146.520" is certainly for establishing communications, therefore not illegal.

Why wouldn't paging be allowed under Part 97 on 2 meters?

[spareparts]

(while it is technically possible to do paging on 2M amatuer, it's not legal).

Why isn't it legal on amateur radio? The law only stipulates that 1-way communication is only permitted for the purpose of establishing communications, as a beacon (on HF) and for brief tests. A page such as "Call me on 146.520" is certainly for establishing communications, therefore not illegal.

We pretty much beat this to death in the thread at:
http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... highlight=

http://www.hamsexy.com/cms/?p=439 covers the hardware.

[fogster]

Sorry, guess my initial post was kind of vague.

My goal was to add some units to an established alphanumeric system.

What does programming the units entail? (I'm fond of the Advisor Elites, but I'm open to suggestions.) I've read here that it looks like you can jury-rig the programming interface with a RIB, and that the pager RSS costs $8 from Motorola.

Are Flex pagers 'backwards-compatible' with POCSAG systems? (Or do most Motorola pagers support both formats?)

Backing up a step... Are most 'commercial' paging transmitters regional? Because I'm thinking... Unlike cell-phones, pagers don't transmit back, so there's no way of knowing what 'node' a pager is on. If a company offered nation-wide service, wouldn't it have to transmit the pages throughout the whole country?

[spareparts]

Sorry, guess my initial post was kind of vague.

My goal was to add some units to an established alphanumeric system.

OK - That makes it a little easier. Common Carrier (American Mobility, USA Mobility) or a local FD or Ambulance system?

[Johnny Galaga]

FLEX pagers won't work on POCSAG.

[EEnerd]

I've recently become interested in alphanumeric pagers, but don't know a lot about what's involved. Is there a good guide out there? Everything I've found is either way too basic ('Paging transmitters send data over radio waves' sort of stuff), or way too complex (analyzing the structure of POCSAG/Flex). Are there any halfway-decent 'primer' sort of things out there to start me off in the right direction?

Essentially, I'd like to pick up a used pager on eBay and program it. Do I just need to know the frequency and capcode?

Yes, at least. You should also know the data rate (usually given in baud). You may also find that the pager you get off ebay has had a password applied by the original service provider. You may be able to get them to remove it or tell you what it is if you are lucky.

What type of setup is involved in programming? Are they easy to come by? How about the software? Is it as tightly-controlled as two-way radio RSS?

It's probably about the same. The hardware is often some variation on the TTL<->RS-232 level shifter theme, and you can sometimes find or trade the software online but it's better to just buy it from Motorola. Now that I think about it, yes, it's exactly the same

How common is VHF compared with 900 MHz pagers?

Depends on your area. UHF is more popular in rural areas, some still cling to VHF or even VHF-lo (mostly public service). The major commercial providers prefer 900mhz (I think for easier nationwide coverage) and often try to dump old UHF/VHF frequencies for 900mhz

I see a lot more 900 MHz ones out there, but there are also a ton that make no mention of frequency. (I'm looking for VHF.) Is there an easy way to identify what band a pager is on? (Assuming it doesn't have the frequency printed on the back, of course.)

The easiest way is by what's printed on it. Beware sometimes the cases get switched around and don't represent what's actually inside the pager. There's ways to ID boards based on the band but that's for the pros who have worked on enough to know the difference (i.e. not me). Also the crystal can sometimes tell you but I noticed they often don't even label it with the primary frequency...

Thanks for any pointers you might have.

Oh, maybe a silly question, but I told you I really don't know anything about pagers: is it possible to set a pager up to do more than one capcode?

Sure, for example the Advisor has 4 capcode slots. Programming is tricky though as there are special rules and capcode orders you have to go in. This gets even more complex for FLEX. I can send good info on the Advisor as that's the only one I've researched so far (though I have to admit this 'research' was basically just reading a very good article on the subject by Brad Dye).

Sorry, guess my initial post was kind of vague.

My goal was to add some units to an established alphanumeric system.

Is it privately owned, public service or a commercial provider?

What does programming the units entail?

Basically; plugging the pager into a 'programming shoe', connecting the shoe to an old DOS based PC (usually) and running some software that lets you edit the capcode(s) and other parameters, assuming you have pagers already on the right frequency.

(I'm fond of the Advisor Elites, but I'm open to suggestions.) I've read here that it looks like you can jury-rig the programming interface with a RIB, and that the pager RSS costs $8 from Motorola.

True

Are Flex pagers 'backwards-compatible' with POCSAG systems? (Or do most Motorola pagers support both formats?)

I've never seen a pager that does both POCSAG and FLEX.

Backing up a step... Are most 'commercial' paging transmitters regional?

all the transmitters are regional in that they only transmit within a certain radius. There's no cellular-type handoff. Some pagers use (used?) subcarriers on the FM broadcast frequencies but that's probably not what you're dealing with.

Because I'm thinking... Unlike cell-phones, pagers don't transmit back, so there's no way of knowing what 'node' a pager is on. If a company offered nation-wide service, wouldn't it have to transmit the pages throughout the whole country?

Yep