Questions about Minitor pager and tones...

kmacka · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2006, 03:47 AM

I was recently given a Minitor pager and have some questions about its use. I want to know how you come about getting the the tones. I know its easy to get the frequency, but how about getting the tones. Do most fire and ems departments keep them secret, if so, for what reason. I mean you can't transmit or anything like that.

Another thing, I have a local airport by me, and I know that security and operations carry a (cfr) crash, fire, rescue minitor pager, now that will go off when the tower is contacted by an aircraft that there is something wrong and they want fire rescue on standby. The tower sets off that pager. Would it be illegal to have a pager set to that frequency and tone to know when there is a possible problem with an aircraft.

Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

RBMTS · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2006, 07:29 AM

It is somewhat easy to decode the tones. There are many programs on the internet that allow you to analyze a recording of the audio to find the tone. Look in the Uniden forum section under the paging tone thread. With Uniden bringing out scanners that will decode tone paging, there is much info available.

If you can make a good quality wav file recording of a dispatch of the tones, send it to me and I will try to decode it for you.

You should not have any problems if you setup your pager to monitor your local airport crash crews, as long as you don't use the pager for purposes of running out to the scene and impeding any efforts of the airport personnel (grin).

What model of Minitor did you get? The original "1" series will require you to change the crystal for the frequency, retune the receiver based on the large the change of frequency, and add in the modules for the tones (3 modules: 2 tone and long tone C for group call). The 1's were very reliable but are not rather cost prohibitive these days. The "2" series allowed you to set the tones, but required a crystal for the frequency. The 3,4, and now 5 are totally synthesized and can be programmed by a computer.

Good luck with your project.

kmacka · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2006, 02:39 PM

I have a minitor IV. I will try to get a copy of the tones for the airport fire rescue. Now after I get them recorded and someone can decipher what the tones are, what do I need then. Do I just need the frequency and tone code and then I'm set? I appreciate the help and will let you know when I get the tones recorded. Thanks.

RBMTS · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2006, 04:25 PM

Once you have the frequency and tone data, you'll need to program the pager. If you don't already have them, you'll need the software, pager cradle, and the UPI or universal programming interface to set your pager. You can find these items in complete kits on Ebay. Look to pay $200 to $300+ for the equipment to program your pager on your own. Hopefully you know someone local that can do this for you if you don't want to make the investment. There may be someone on RR that can help you as well.

I'm not sure if the Minitor 4 was able to be password protected. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable can answer that better than I can. If the M4's had that ability, hopefully your pager was not password locked for programming.