Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown
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Cracking Open the Motorola Advisor Gold pager (1997)
Cracking Open the Motorola Advisor Gold pager (1997)
ntIn the mid- to late-1990s, cellular phones were rapidly replacing pagers in the personal communication market. Still, it wasn’t uncommon for people to have both a mobile phone (particularly in their car) and a pager. In 1997, I was such a person.
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ntI had a phone in my car and carried this Motorola pager. Nearly 15 years later, I decided to dig it out of storage and crack it open. Follow along as I take a look inside the Motorola Advisor Gold pager (circa 1997).
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Back
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Back
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: With case
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: With case
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: In belt case
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: In belt case
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Case clip
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Case clip
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Still works
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Still works
ntEven after nearly 15 years, this Motorola Advisor Gold pager still works–provided it had service.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Battery cover removed
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Battery cover removed
ntThe Motorola Advisor Gold pager was powered by a single AA battery.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Battery removed
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Battery removed
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Releasing the back cover catch
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Releasing the back cover catch
ntThe Motorola Advisor Gold’s back cover is held in place with several plastic clips. The main clip is located inside the battery comparment.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Popping loose the back cover
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Popping loose the back cover
ntWith the back cover’s main clip released, we can continue popping loose the Motorola Advisor Gold’s back cover.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Loosened back cover
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Loosened back cover
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the back cover
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the back cover
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Back cover removed
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Back cover removed
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Back cover
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Back cover
ntThe Motorola Advisor Gold’s large vibration motor is located inside the back cover.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the vibration motor
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the vibration motor
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Vibration motor removed from back cover
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Vibration motor removed from back cover
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Vibration motor - Front
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Vibration motor - Front
ntThe Motorola Advisor Gold’s vibration motor is significantly larger than the motors found on current smartphones.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Vibration motor - Back
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Vibration motor - Back
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Inside the case
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Inside the case
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Disconnecting the antenna PCB from the main PCB
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Disconnecting the antenna PCB from the main PCB
ntThe Motorola Advisor Gold pager has two PCBs–a main PCB and this one that has the antennas. The two PCBs are attached with a connector. Using a plastic spudger, I gently detached them.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the antenna PCB
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the antenna PCB
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Antenna PCB removed
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Antenna PCB removed
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Antenna PCB - Top
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Antenna PCB - Top
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Antenna PCB - Bottom
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Antenna PCB - Bottom
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Motorola chip 79Z71-06 VORTEX XAF9703
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Motorola chip 79Z71-06 VORTEX XAF9703
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Motorola B01 4476000 T9705
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Motorola B01 4476000 T9705
ntThis metal component is likely one of the Motorola Advisor Gold’s radio transmitters/receivers. It has the markings – B01 4476000 T9705.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Assembled 02/19/1997
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Assembled 02/19/1997
ntAccording to the date printed on this sticker, the antenna PCB in this Motorola Advisor Gold pager was assembled on February 19, 1997.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Motorola 37B09 T9704
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Motorola 37B09 T9704
ntAnother radio transmitter/receiver with markings – Motorola 37B09 T9704.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: With antenna PCB removed
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: With antenna PCB removed
ntWith the Motorola Adivsor Gold pager’s antenna PCB removed, we find a formed, rubber cushion separating it and the vibration motor from the main PCB.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing internal rubber cushion
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing internal rubber cushion
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Internal rubber cushion removed
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Internal rubber cushion removed
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Internal rubber cushion - Front
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Internal rubber cushion - Front
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Internal rubber cushion - Back
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Internal rubber cushion - Back
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Main PCB still attached
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Main PCB still attached
ntWith the internal rubber cushion removed, we get our first good look at the Motorola Adivsor Gold’s main PCB.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the case ring
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the case ring
ntA thin rubber ring site between the Motorola Adivsor Gold’s back cover and front cover.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Case ring removed
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Case ring removed
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the main PCB and display assembly
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the main PCB and display assembly
ntAt this point, I was able to easily detach the display and main PCB assembly from the front cover.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Main PCB and display assembly removed
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Main PCB and display assembly removed
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Main PCB and display assembly - Back
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Main PCB and display assembly - Back
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Inside the front cover
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Inside the front cover
ntThere’s a lot of dust inside this old Motorola Adivsor Gold pager.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Main PCB (with display) - Front
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Main PCB (with display) - Front
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Motorola SC428253PU IC
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Motorola SC428253PU IC
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: NEC D43256BGW IC
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: NEC D43256BGW IC
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: System battery
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: System battery
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Speaker
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Speaker
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the front Up and Down buttons
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the front Up and Down buttons
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Display
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Display
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Display cable attached to main PCB
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Display cable attached to main PCB
ntUnfortunatley, the display cable is permanently glued to the Motorola Adivsor Gold page’s main PCB.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Underside of display ribbon cable contacts
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Underside of display ribbon cable contacts
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the front button contacts
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the front button contacts
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Front button contacts removed
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Front button contacts removed
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the front cover from the display assembly
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Removing the front cover from the display assembly
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Front cover removed
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Front cover removed
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Display and main PCB assembly
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Display and main PCB assembly
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Main PCB without front cover
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Main PCB without front cover
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Completely disassembled
Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown: Completely disassembled
ntThis Motorola Advisor Gold pager was a reliable device that served me well for many years. And, it’s no wonder. After cracking it open, I found it to be well constructed and contain sturdy material. I only wish all current smartphones were as rugged.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
