Recently, thousands of portable communication devices like pagers and walkie-talkies were used in a Mossad operation targeting Hezbollah in Libya and Syria, causing numerous casualties. These devices are highly favored for their reliability in areas with no mobile signal. But what exactly are these devices, and how do they work?
Portable communication devices, such as pagers and walkie-talkies, were employed as traps to trigger explosions over two consecutive days. Both are known for providing quick and reliable communication in remote areas, but they serve different functions: pagers are primarily used to transmit text messages or sound alerts, while walkie-talkies allow two-way voice conversations.
What are pagers and walkie-talkies?
Pagers and walkie-talkies, pioneers in mobile communications and predecessors to today’s smartphones, have resurfaced in the public eye following deadly explosions in Lebanon and Syria, specifically in Beirut and Damascus. These incidents, which occurred earlier this week, resulted in 32 deaths and over 3,000 serious injuries.
Pagers, often referred to as “beepers,” were widely popular in the 1990s before mobile phones became mainstream. Despite the evolution of communication technology, they are still used in specific fields like the military and medical sectors due to their simplicity and reliability. Pagers are small communication devices designed to send and receive short messages or alerts via radio waves.
There are two main types of pagers: one-way and two-way. One-way pagers can only receive messages, typically phone numbers the user is prompted to call back, while two-way pagers allow for both sending and receiving short messages. These devices are particularly useful in environments where mobile phone communication is unsafe or unavailable, such as in basements, secured rooms, or emergency situations.
On the other hand, walkie-talkies, or two-way radios, enable real-time voice communication via radio frequencies. These portable devices are particularly useful in situations where mobile networks are unreliable or nonexistent, such as in remote areas, during outdoor activities, or for emergency response teams.
Below, we explore the history, functionality, and various uses of these essential communication devices.
The history and usage of pagers
Few people know that pagers have been around for over a century. The first pager was invented in 1921 and was initially used in hospitals and emergency services. In the 1950s, pagers gained wider popularity, and in 1962, Motorola introduced the first portable pager designed specifically for doctors.
The 1980s and 1990s marked the golden era for pagers, with their popularity peaking, particularly among professionals like doctors, businesspeople, and technicians. By 1994, there were over 61 million pager users worldwide. However, the rise of mobile phones and SMS messaging led to the gradual decline of pagers towards the end of the 1990s.
Pagers were mainly used to receive short text messages or sound alerts. Initially, they could only display numeric codes, which users had to call back to decipher. Later, more advanced pagers were developed, capable of receiving alphanumeric messages. For example, messages could be sent from call centers or landlines, and users would receive these messages on their pagers.
In the medical field, pagers were indispensable for doctors, allowing them to receive emergency alerts quickly. While most have been replaced by mobile phones, pagers are still in use in hospitals due to their high reliability in areas with poor mobile reception and their non-interference with sensitive medical equipment. Emergency services, such as firefighters, paramedics, and police, also continue to rely on pagers, as they provide faster and more reliable notifications than SMS in critical situations. In industries like nuclear power and hazardous environments, where mobile phones are banned due to safety concerns, pagers remain a vital communication tool.
Walkie-talkies: Origins and modern applications
Walkie-talkies emerged during World War II, although the concept of portable radios dates back to the 1920s. The first true walkie-talkie, developed by Motorola in 1937 under the name “Handie-Talkie,” was widely used by military forces for mobile communication during the war. This marked the beginning of portable, two-way communication devices becoming mainstream.
After the war, walkie-talkies became essential tools in other fields, such as law enforcement, emergency services, and various industries, enabling teams to coordinate effectively in real time.
Today, walkie-talkies are indispensable in numerous sectors, known for their ability to provide reliable, quick communication without the need for complex infrastructure.
These devices are used in various critical and professional settings:
- Emergency and rescue services: Firefighters, police, and medical teams use them to coordinate actions during disasters and emergencies.
- Event management and security: At concerts, festivals, and other large-scale events, security teams use walkie-talkies to maintain communication and manage safety.
- Outdoor activities: In camping, hiking, and hunting, walkie-talkies are crucial for staying connected in areas with no mobile signal.
- Construction and logistics: Walkie-talkies facilitate quick communication on construction sites and in warehouses.
- Industry and transportation: Ports, airports, and factories rely on these devices to coordinate operations and ensure smooth workflow.
Design and functionality of portable communication devices
The design of pagers varies depending on the model and era, but they are typically small, rectangular, and portable, often worn on a belt. They resemble slightly larger versions of Bluetooth earbud cases. Modern pagers may have LCD screens, sometimes in color, that display numbers or text messages. These devices often feature simple buttons for reading and deleting messages, as well as toggling sound alerts. Advanced models may include vibration alerts for silent notifications.
In contrast, walkie-talkies are compact, ergonomically designed devices made to be easily held or worn on a belt. They typically feature durable casings designed to withstand tough conditions. Walkie-talkies are equipped with external antennas for radio signal transmission, a push-to-talk (PTT) button for initiating voice communication, and built-in speakers and microphones. Some models also include LCD screens displaying channel information, battery status, and other parameters. They often have channel selectors for switching frequencies and volume controls.
Types of pagers and walkie-talkies
Pagers come in several varieties, depending on how they receive and display messages:
- Numeric pagers: Display only phone numbers or codes for the user to call.
- Alphanumeric pagers: Receive and display text messages.
- One-way pagers: Only receive messages, used for alerts and notifications.
- Two-way pagers: Allow for both sending and receiving messages.
- Tone pagers: Emit sound signals for notifications, commonly used in hospitals.
- GPS pagers: Provide location tracking along with messaging.
- Group pagers: Allow messages to be sent to multiple users at once.
- Emergency pagers: Designed for fast alerts, often used by emergency services.
Walkie-talkies operate via radio waves, using VHF or UHF frequencies. When the user presses the PTT button, their message is transmitted as a radio signal via the antenna. The receiving user’s device converts the signal back into sound. Walkie-talkies enable real-time communication, though only one person can speak at a time on a given channel. They come in various forms:
- Basic models: Suitable for recreational use, with limited range (1-5 km).
- Professional models: Used by security teams, construction workers, and emergency responders, offering greater range and features like signal encryption or repeater connection.
- Advanced models: May include GPS, water resistance, or Bluetooth connectivity.
Both pagers and walkie-talkies are essential for real-time communication in environments where infrastructure is limited or unreliable.
Devices Used in Unprecedented Attacks
Pager and walkie-talkie traps exploded on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 17 and 18, 2024, in unprecedented attacks that targeted Hezbollah. Many members of the Lebanese militant group were among the casualties.
For over six months, Hezbollah fighters and the Lebanese Shiite militia have been using these devices to communicate securely, avoiding phone networks reportedly compromised by Israeli Mossad.
It is believed that small amounts of explosives were hidden inside the pagers and walkie-talkies, detonated by remote signals. The first person to use the device triggered a chain of explosions.
In the attacks, 12 people were killed on Tuesday and 20 more on Wednesday, including two children. Lebanese hospitals are overwhelmed with victims suffering from limb amputations, facial and abdominal injuries, and blindness.
Fact Check Section
- Pager technology dates back to 1921, initially used in hospitals.
- Walkie-talkies were first developed for military use during World War II.
- Pagers and walkie-talkies are still widely used in industries where mobile signals are unreliable.
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