Pager Frequencies

VHF Lowband

35.220, 35.260 - 35.540 .040 MHz spacing

35.580 43.220, 43.360 - 43.540 .040 MHz spacing

43.580, 43.620, 43.660

The 35MHz are the base side, and the 43MHz the mobile side when used as IMTS/RCC phones.

Mostly these are used for RCC paging now.

VHF High

152.030 - 152.240 MHz 30KHz spacing RCC

152.240 (P-5) is a common RCC paging channel.

152.480 PCP * Unofficial Nationwide Paging System *

152.510 - 152.840 30KHz spacing RCC (Bases)

157.740 PCP

157.770 - 158.070 30KHz spacing RCC (Mobiles)

158.460 PCP 158.490 - 158.700 30KHz spacing RCC (mobiles)

Again the 152MHz are paired with the 157/158 channels for IMTS/RCC phone service where still used.

Most are now used for one way paging.

UHF

454.025 - 454.650 RCC 25KHz spacing

 459.025 - 459.650 RCC 25KHz spacing

IMTS/RCC phone service provided on these pairs using std. 5MHz split.

Again, where applicable,and now mostly one way paging.

Some providers even use the 459 as links to other transmitters.

462.750 - 462.925 PCP 25KHz spacing Paging

900Mhz

928-932MHz 12.5Khz spacing

Many nationwide systems like Mtel/Skytel, Mobilecomm, PacTel, etc.. are in this area.

RCC = Radio Common Carrier

PCP = Private Carrier Paging

In the past a distinction was made for these 2 types of paging service. RCC's could carry the publics traffic. PCP's were for company traffic and private systems. PCP's & RCC's are now lumped together for paging. PCP's can carry private and public traffic.

How Pagers Work

Several different systems are around. Analog Formats Two Tone Sequential - GE, REACH, Plectron, Motorola QCI(2+2) & QCII (1+1) 5/6 Tone - EIA and several European variants (uses different tones) HSC SECODE (Pulse)

Two tone is used commonly by FD/EMS to activate portable monitors (Mot. Minitor I/II etc..) 5/6 tone is also a common PS format to activate tone only pagers. PSP uses these on a statewide basis. They have very distinct sound. A tone then several tones real quick. Secode was/is used by many hospitals as a way to "dial" a hospital up for an ambulance to notify of an inbound patient. Basically each hospital is given a number, much like a phone number, and you punch this into a properly equipped radio to send. This activates the radio at the hospital. Sounds like a tone with pulse dialing occuring.

Digital

NEC D2 Motorola Golay both Numeric and Alphanumeric 300bps address/600bps data POCSAG (RPC-1) both Numeric and Alphanumeric 512, 1200, 2400bps address/data Motorola FLEX (NEW) supports speeds upto 6400bps The analog formats use tones to send an address or capcode and the data. Digitals use digital modulation to send the address and data, sounds like screeching on a scanner. Basically each pager has an address/capcode. When the person calls the phone number given to that pager the system sends out that capcode and any message applicable based on pager type, tone only, tone/voice, tone/voice/numeric, numeric, or alpha. POCSAG has pretty much taken over the digital formats right now. Look for FLEX to be the next step due to the ability to send data at faster speeds, thus carry more subscribers per channel/system and send more data to alphas.