Mode POCSAG

POCSAG pager messages.

Group	Pagers
Default frequency	466.075 MHz
Default sample rate	2 Msps
In the mode list	Pagers, 512-2400 bd

Step-by-step: Tutorial-POCSAG

What POCSAG is

POCSAG is the long-standing pager protocol (512, 1200 and 2400 baud) still used by hospitals, fire services and utilities.

Frequencies and settings

Setting	Value
Start frequency	466.075 MHz
Tuning range of the mode table	25 to 1000 MHz
Sample rate asked	2 Msps
Lowest working rate	1 Msps
Channel width	25 kHz

OnAir takes any frequency you type; the numbers above are the mode's starting point and the range its table describes. In the app the shortcut label is Pagers, 512-2400 bd.

What OnAir shows

POCSAG paging messages (512, 1200 and 2400 bd) on a 25 kHz channel.

The mode's own tab has these screens: Messages, Statistics. The other tabs (Overview, Receiver, Scan, History) are described on the Main window page.

Tips and caveats

• Checked with generated signals and impairments; recordings of real signals welcome.
• Which radio: Usually yes for narrowband signals: an RTL-SDR tunes roughly 24 MHz to 1.7 GHz at up to about 2.4 Msps. Wide signals such as TV channels need a faster radio, and OnAir says next to the source what the selected radio can do.
• Try it without a radio: most modes include a built-in synthetic test signal, so you can open the screen and try the controls first.
• Receiving and the law: Pager messages can contain private information, and some countries restrict listening to them. Check the rules where you live before you use this mode. See Legal.

Related pages

• Pagers: POCSAG and FLEX
• All modes, Pagers
• Supported radios, Troubleshooting, FAQ
• More in Pagers: FLEX, Multitone Paging