Apollo AL-A26 (Pager) - Revision history

Trevor229: /* Software Startup */

2023-03-09T06:14:54Z

Software Startup

Trevor229: Change one word to test new edit perms

2022-09-03T02:18:12Z

Change one word to test new edit perms

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:18, 3 September 2022
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	The Apollo Pilot A26 (Model number AL-A26) is an alphanumeric POCSAG-enabled paging reciever manufactured by Apollo Digital Paging Company Inc. It can be found on second-hand auction sites such as eBay inexpensively.		The Apollo Pilot A26 (Model number AL-A26) is an alphanumeric POCSAG-enabled paging reciever manufactured by Apollo Digital Paging Company Inc. It can be found on second-hand auction sites such as eBay inexpensively.

	It is worth noting however, that there is also a similar model (AF-A26) which is identical, ~~except for~~ supporting the FLEX paging protocol instead.		It is worth noting however, that there is also a similar model (AF-A26) which is identical, but supporting the FLEX paging protocol instead.

	This wiki will focus on the POCSAG model as it's utility pertains to amateur radio and [https://hampager.de/dokuwiki/doku.php DAPNET] use.		This wiki will focus on the POCSAG model as it's utility pertains to amateur radio and [https://hampager.de/dokuwiki/doku.php DAPNET] use.

Trevor229: Reword some sections, add new info about hand programming procedure with pictures.

2022-08-09T00:47:45Z

Reword some sections, add new info about hand programming procedure with pictures.

Show changes

Trevor229: Update IARU link

2022-07-21T03:09:47Z

Update IARU link

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:09, 21 July 2022
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	==Caveats==		==Caveats==
	*Channel spacing seems to commonly be set to 25 kHz, making the common DAPNET frequency of 439.9875 MHz<ref>https://hampager.de/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=dapnetfrq</ref> unable to be set without an error message. The pager can be set to use 12.5 kHz channel spacing, but requires the programming software to accomplish. The easiest solution without software access is to choose a different frequency while minding the amateur satellite band (435 - 438 MHz)<ref>https://www.iaru-r1.org/wiki/~~Amateur_satellites#:~:text=2%20meter%20band-,70%20cm%20band,maximum%20bandwidth%20is%20100%20kHz~~</ref>		*Channel spacing seems to commonly be set to 25 kHz, making the common DAPNET frequency of 439.9875 MHz<ref>https://hampager.de/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=dapnetfrq</ref> unable to be set without an error message. The pager can be set to use 12.5 kHz channel spacing, but requires the programming software to accomplish. The easiest solution without software access is to choose a different frequency while minding the amateur satellite band (435 - 438 MHz)<ref>https://www.iaru-r1.org/wiki/UHF</ref>
	<br />		<br />

Trevor229: Add discovery of software startup word

2022-04-30T00:45:29Z

Add discovery of software startup word

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:45, 30 April 2022
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	*'''PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_10311.exe:''' Self explanitory. Appears to be a normal installer. Unknown if modified in any way, most likely not.		*'''PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_10311.exe:''' Self explanitory. Appears to be a normal installer. Unknown if modified in any way, most likely not.
	*'''Uninstall.exe:''' Also self explanitory. Seems to be a standard Windows uninstaller.		*'''Uninstall.exe:''' Also self explanitory. Seems to be a standard Windows uninstaller.


			====Software Startup====
			Upon startup and entry of the software password, the program looks for a PL2303 Prolific based serial device attached to the computer. If found, the COM port is set in a registry key located in '''HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DEVICEMAP\SERIALCOMM'''

			The software then outputs the following on the serial port before giving the "The Programmed Board not responding!" error:
			<pre>GoldApollo5R </pre>
			Which is the following in raw serial bytes
			<pre>47 6f 6c 64 41 70 6f 6c 6c 6f 35 52 03 00 00 00 00 8a</pre>

			I have tried replaying the same byte sequence in response, as well as sending just "Apollo" with no luck. There is definitely some reply word sent by the programmer itself, similar to the [http://n3ujj.com/TripMate_Self_Start_Modification.html DeLorme TripMate GPS which needs the word "ASTRAL" sent on it's RX pin to enable the GPS.]

Trevor229: remove dupe reference section

2022-04-24T05:02:36Z

remove dupe reference section

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:02, 24 April 2022
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	*Channel spacing seems to commonly be set to 25 kHz, making the common DAPNET frequency of 439.9875 MHz<ref>https://hampager.de/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=dapnetfrq</ref> unable to be set without an error message. The pager can be set to use 12.5 kHz channel spacing, but requires the programming software to accomplish. The easiest solution without software access is to choose a different frequency while minding the amateur satellite band (435 - 438 MHz)<ref>https://www.iaru-r1.org/wiki/Amateur_satellites#:~:text=2%20meter%20band-,70%20cm%20band,maximum%20bandwidth%20is%20100%20kHz</ref>		*Channel spacing seems to commonly be set to 25 kHz, making the common DAPNET frequency of 439.9875 MHz<ref>https://hampager.de/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=dapnetfrq</ref> unable to be set without an error message. The pager can be set to use 12.5 kHz channel spacing, but requires the programming software to accomplish. The easiest solution without software access is to choose a different frequency while minding the amateur satellite band (435 - 438 MHz)<ref>https://www.iaru-r1.org/wiki/Amateur_satellites#:~:text=2%20meter%20band-,70%20cm%20band,maximum%20bandwidth%20is%20100%20kHz</ref>
	<br />		<br />

	~~==References==~~
	~~<references />~~

Trevor229: /* Software & Programming */

2022-04-24T04:58:42Z

Software & Programming

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:58, 24 April 2022
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	Peel back the lefthand sticker to reveal three holes that expose three gold pads on the RF reciever PCB. These pads directly connect to the EEPROM SCL and SDA lines as well as common ground in that order from left to right.		Peel back the lefthand sticker to reveal three holes that expose three gold pads on the RF reciever PCB. These pads directly connect to the EEPROM SCL and SDA lines as well as common ground in that order from left to right.

	[[File:Programming_interface_pinout_pager.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|Pinout of the back programming interface]]		[[File:Programming_interface_pinout_pager.png\|thumb\|Pinout of the back programming interface]]

	===Programming Interface - Programmer===		===Programming Interface - Programmer===

Trevor229: /* Software & Programming */

2022-04-24T04:58:02Z

Software & Programming

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:58, 24 April 2022
Line 128:		Line 128:
	Peel back the lefthand sticker to reveal three holes that expose three gold pads on the RF reciever PCB. These pads directly connect to the EEPROM SCL and SDA lines as well as common ground in that order from left to right.		Peel back the lefthand sticker to reveal three holes that expose three gold pads on the RF reciever PCB. These pads directly connect to the EEPROM SCL and SDA lines as well as common ground in that order from left to right.

	[[File:Programming_interface_pinout_pager.~~jog~~\|thumb\|Pinout of the back programming interface]]		[[File:Programming_interface_pinout_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Pinout of the back programming interface]]

	===Programming Interface - Programmer===		===Programming Interface - Programmer===

Trevor229: /* Photos */

2022-04-24T04:56:47Z

Photos

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:56, 24 April 2022
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	File:Front_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Front of the AL-A26		File:Front_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Front of the AL-A26
	File:Back_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Back of the AL-A26		File:Back_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Back of the AL-A26
	File:~~RF_board_back~~.jpg\|thumb\|RF reciever board from the back. (UHF version)		File:RF_board_back_pager.jpg\|thumb\|RF reciever board from the back. (UHF version)
	File:~~RF_board_front~~.jpg\|thumb\|RF reciever board from the front. (UHF version)		File:RF_board_front_pager.jpg\|thumb\|RF reciever board from the front. (UHF version)
	File:Mainboard_back_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Main board from the back.		File:Mainboard_back_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Main board from the back.
	File:Mainboard_front_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Main board from the front.		File:Mainboard_front_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Main board from the front.

Trevor229: /* Disassembly */

2022-04-24T04:56:17Z

Disassembly

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:56, 24 April 2022
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	File:Left_side_spudger_insert_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Spudger under left side		File:Left_side_spudger_insert_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Spudger under left side
	File:Completely_free_back_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Left side unsnapped and back half free. Hinge upward as shown.		File:Completely_free_back_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Left side unsnapped and back half free. Hinge upward as shown.
	File:~~Back_cover_laying_flat_pager~~.jpg\|thumb\|Rear cover laying flat		File:Back_laid_flat_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Rear cover laying flat
	</gallery>		</gallery>
	<br />		<br />

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:56, 24 April 2022
Line 61:		Line 61:
	File:Front_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Front of the AL-A26		File:Front_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Front of the AL-A26
	File:Back_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Back of the AL-A26		File:Back_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Back of the AL-A26
	File:~~RF_board_back~~.jpg\|thumb\|RF reciever board from the back. (UHF version)		File:RF_board_back_pager.jpg\|thumb\|RF reciever board from the back. (UHF version)
	File:~~RF_board_front~~.jpg\|thumb\|RF reciever board from the front. (UHF version)		File:RF_board_front_pager.jpg\|thumb\|RF reciever board from the front. (UHF version)
	File:Mainboard_back_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Main board from the back.		File:Mainboard_back_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Main board from the back.
	File:Mainboard_front_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Main board from the front.		File:Mainboard_front_pager.jpg\|thumb\|Main board from the front.