How to Configure the TAP Interface

Video Transcript

Welcome to the video tutorial on how to configure a TAP carrier to deliver SMS or pages in NotePager Pro. In this tutorial, we'll be going over what the TAP protocol is and how to use it to send SMS and pages.

TAP stands for the Telelocator Alphanumeric Protocol. To use TAP in NotePager Pro, you must have a dial-up modem as the TAP protocol will dial a carrier's TAP messaging terminal to deliver the message.

TAP is most often supported by paging companies like SPOK and American Messaging. The only two major US cell phone carriers that still support the protocol are AT&T and Sprint; Verizon, T-Mobile and US Cellular have all deactivated their TAP systems.

To start, go to the Tools – Settings – Connection section. Specify the modem's COM port in the 'Modem Port' field, then click Apply. Next, go to Carriers – Add. Give the carrier a name. Change the protocol to: TAP. In the 'Phone Number' field, enter the phone number of the TAP terminal you want to connect to.

Click Advanced. Set the Baud, Parity, Data Bits and Stop Bits to match the TAP terminal's requirements. Most TAP systems use 1200 baud, even parity, 7 data bits and 1 stop bit. Leave the 'Init String' on auto. The 'Max Chars' field determines the maximum number of characters a single message may contain. For SMS set to 160. For pages set it to 240.

When finished, click Back, then click Apply. Now all that remains is adding a recipient. Go to Recipients – Add. Give the recipient a name. Select your TAP carrier from the list. In the ID/PIN, enter the 10 digit cell phone number or pager number. Click Apply.

This concludes the video tutorial on how to create a TAP carrier to send pages or SMS.