[aprssig] An amusing aside (Text Pagers)

[Wes Johnston, AI4PX]

Can we reprogram the CAP code to something that is predictable and derived
from our callsigns?  I just checked the numeric pager on my hip and it seems
to have a 9 digit cap code.  What would be nice would be to have a 12 digit
or more cap code.... if so, we could use pairs of digits to represent ascii
codes for our call letters.

A= ascii 65
I = ascii 73
4 = 52
P = 80
X = 88

So my cap code would be 00 65 73 52 80 88.  This is the same trick we use on
TCP mac addresses in the AMPR domain, right?

This sounds to me like we'd need to do this on another frequency away from
the normal aprs ops.  I strongly suspect that it will be far easier to find
70cm pagers than 2m alpha pagers.

Wes

On Thu, Jan 28, 2010 at 12:44, Robert Bruninga <bruninga at usna.edu> wrote:

> > There are quite many software/PIC/AVR based
> > POCSAG encoders out there to create a
> > separate paging network. There is one already
> > in Germany on UHF, I believe.
>
> Yes, that is the goal.  Take standard POCSAG text messaging
> pagers and use any of the available POCSAG encoders (for example
> the one built into the Kantronics TNC's).  Then have someone
> write a simple APRS-to-POCSAG converter so that all these RF
> pagers can be connected to APRS messageing, Email etc via the
> global APRS network.
>
> We need:
> 1) Some junk hound to locate hundreds if not thousands of
> surplus text pagers
> 2) Someone who knows how to re-program their synthesizers onto
> the VHF or UHF amateur bands.
> 3) Someone to write the Pgate software to tie it into the APRSIS
>
> The rest of the global network is there.  This way, non-APRS
> users can get in on APRS messaging for only the cost of a
> surplus pager.
>
> BUT IT IS NOT JUST PAGING...  The person who writes the P-Gate
> software can also add configuration features such as sending
> these TEXT items:
>
>
>



-- 
Wes
---
God help those who do not help themselves.
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