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Mobility

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

By Bill Detwiler May 2, 2011, 6:23 AM PDT on Twitter billdetwiler

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Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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.

n

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).  

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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

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

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

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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

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

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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

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

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

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 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 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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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

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

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

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

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.
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Motorola Advisor Gold Pager (1997) Teardown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

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Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
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