Paging Protocol Identification

[BiperMemory]

Hello people,

I have a Motorola Bravo tone-only pager with the following information at the back of the device:

Model Number: A04ARC4568BA
Serial Number: 665BRQ25G6
Frequency: 450.71000 MHz
TEMP CODE T3C

Does anyone know if it's a POCSAG receiver or otherwise? I don't see any Cap codes, though.

Thanks for your help.

 

[kf8yk]

Model number indicates 5/6 tone format.

 

[BiperMemory]

Model number indicates 5/6 tone format.

Thank you, my latest documentation confirms your claim.

Now that we know it's a 5/6 tone receiver, how can we further determine the precise protocol it uses (EIA, EURO, ZVEI, etc.), and after that, what would be the most efficient way to dig out the frequencies of these tones, given that we have no indication whatsoever?

Thank you in advance for any assistance you're willing to provide me with.

 

[kf8yk]

For a North American market pager it should be EIA tones., however the frequency listed on your pager would be very unusual for the NA market.

It's been a while since I last serviced one of these, I think you need this to program that pager: Bravo programmer. Later Bravo models (Express, Classic, Plus, LX, etc.) use DOS software & the universal pager interface/cradle, but the OG tone/numeric Bravo needs the standalone programmer.

 

[BiperMemory]

Thank you again for your speedy response. In fact, the pager in question is meant to be used in France, so I suspect the protocol to be ZVEI.

As for the programming, the Bravo standalone programmer that you showed will not work on my model, as mine uses one AAA battery and the pager has no screen, whereas the standalone programmer only takes on BRAVO "numeric" pagers (with screens) and which run on AA batteries. Even the locations of the battery compartments are not the same.

This programming issue you raised is more than relevant, because now I have two options. One is to determine the exact programmer that I need by pulling the specific manual for my "tone-only" BRAVO (which I don't have). The other one would be, as I mentioned, to find a clever way to test the frequencies of these 5 tones. I have a station that covers the UHF band and an all-in-one tone generator. Any idea how I could figure it out without going through the 5-digit codes one by one from 00000 to 99999? Or is there an automatic way to go through the codes without me changing it in the software every time?

I'm providing photos of the receiver's PCB boards and casing, just for reference.



All useful insights are always appreciated.

 

[kf8yk]

I never worked with the tone only Bravo, but it looks like you need a Motorola R-1801 Suitcase Programmer. The one in this eBay listing has the accessories for the Bravo numeric display pager.

To make this work, you would need to find a the base R-1801 plus the 'Application Programming Kit' for the Bravo tone which are PROM's that plug inside the R-1801 and contain the programming software and the 'Adapter Board' which is the product specific cradle that mounts to the R-1801.

At the bottom of this list are the part numbers for the R-1801 accessories for the Bravo tone only pager. The last column has the blank code plug part number, since the Bravo tone pager has a p/n instead of 'N/A Reprogrammable' this indicates the code plug is a one time programmable part & has to be replaced if any changes are made. Since your box label lacks a cap code it's possible these were shipped with no code plug at all & were field programmed before entering service.

You could try contacting Ocean View Communications or Brinkley Electronics, both offer programming service using the R-1801 but I would not be surprised if they don't have the specific accessories for the Bravo tone pager.

 

[BiperMemory]

the code plug is a one time programmable part & has to be replaced if any changes are made. Since your box label lacks a cap code it's possible these were shipped with no code plug at all & were field programmed before entering service.

This is very useful information. You are indeed a man with lots of experience in the field.

As a matter of fact, the code plug is present and soldered onto the receiver board. It looks like a 13-pin code plug, with pins 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13 soldered, while others are missing. The code plug itself has some components on the back of it, while at the front, the plate reads "21E51 0 9126 0 SIN". I tried out the EIA and ZVEI tones associated with the codes "21E51", "91260" or "09126", but they didn't work. These inscriptions on the plate must mean something at least...

What's the next step to take?