Pager and how it works

Source- This post on Pager and how it works is based on the article “What is a pager?” published in Indian Express on 18th September 2024.

Why in News?

Recently, a series of pager explosions across Lebanon killed at least eight people and injured 2,750 others. Hezbollah reported that the pagers used by their personnel exploded mysteriously.

About Pager

1. About Pagers: A pager is a small, portable electronic device used for receiving short messages or alerts. Pagers were popular before the widespread use of mobile phones and are still in use in certain professional settings today.

2. Pagers operate on dedicated radio frequencies to receive messages.

3. How Pagers Work:  Pagers receive messages via radio frequencies from a base station or a central dispatch. These messages can either be numeric (e.g., a phone number) or alphanumeric (text-based). When a message is received, pagers alert users with a beep, tone, or vibration. Some advanced pagers, known as two-way pagers, allow users to send and receive messages, similar to basic text messaging.

4. Types of Pagers: Numeric Pagers and Alphanumeric Pagers:

Numeric Pagers can only display numbers, typically used to alert someone to call a specific number. Alphanumeric Pagers can display both numbers and letters, allowing for more detailed messages, including short text communications.

Advantages of Using a Pager

1. Reliable Communication: Pagers have a larger coverage area compared to early mobile phones, making them reliable in remote or poor signal areas.

2. Simple Design: They are easy to use, with minimal features, and are less prone to technical issues.

3. Untraceable: One-way pagers are often untraceable because they don’t transmit signals back to the base station.

4. Long Battery Life: Pagers typically have longer battery life compared to mobile phones, typically lasting several days.

Disadvantages:  Lithium batteries are common in consumer electronics like cellphones and laptops. They can overheat, melt, or catch fire upon reaching temperatures up to 1,100°F (590°C) which potentially causing pager explosions.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology