Summary of Make An Old-School Arduino-Based Two-Way Pager
This Arduino-based pager by Mike Schaus sends and receives real SMS messages using its own SIM card and phone number. It stacks an Arduino UNO, GSM shield, Hologram global SIM, and an Adafruit 16×2 LCD shield in a compact project box, powered by USB or a 9V battery. Designed as a child-friendly communicator or SOS device, it uses Hologram Data Router for software and leverages the LCD shield's I2C interface to save Arduino pins for future features.
Parts used in the Arduino-Based Two-Way Pager:
- Arduino UNO
- Hologram SIM Card w/Device Management
- Arduino GSM shield V2
- Adafruit LCD Shield Kit w/ 16×2 Character Display
- Hammond Project Box 4.7 x 2.6 x 1.4 Translucent Blue
This Arduino-based pager by Mike Schaus will allow you to send and receive real SMS text messages. This messaging device has its own SIM card and phone number.
In order to build this project you need the following parts:
- 1* Arduino UNO
- 1*Hologram SIM Card w/Device Management
- 1*Arduino GSM shield V2
- 1*Adafruit LCD Shield Kit w/ 16×2 Character Display
- 1*Hammond Project Box 4.7 x 2.6 x 1.4 Translucent Blue
And you will need to use this software to run the project: Hologram Data Router.
This project was made possible as part of Hologram’s Hacker-In-Residence program, The Hologram Global SIM Card allows you to connect you IoT device everywhere. Paired with a powerful device management platform and API. It provides a cellular data service that works with any device that accepts a SIM card. In addition it is totally inexpensive.
GSM shield, the Hologram things, and Arduino stacked on top of each other made a good combination to build such a project. For powering the project, Mike had used a 9V battery as an option, and still, powering from USB is possible.
Mike had designed this project so it could be used by children instead of a real cell phone, or it could be used as an “SOS” button for someone working alone outdoors or even exercising.
Check this video to know how this project works:
The amazing thing about Adafruit LCD shield that it only uses 2 pins of Arduino since it works over the I2C bus, which results with many places left for future features.
This is the schematics of the project: It is super easy, the wires mean putting the pieces on top of each other.
Read more: Make An Old-School Arduino-Based Two-Way Pager
- What does this Arduino-based pager do?
It sends and receives real SMS text messages using its own SIM card and phone number. - What SIM service is used for the pager?
The Hologram Global SIM Card with device management is used. - Which software is required to run the project?
The project uses Hologram Data Router as the software. - How are the components connected together?
The Arduino, GSM shield, Hologram SIM, and LCD shield are stacked on top of each other as shown in the schematics. - How is the project powered?
It can be powered from USB or optionally by a 9V battery. - Why does the Adafruit LCD shield use few Arduino pins?
The Adafruit LCD shield works over the I2C bus and uses only 2 Arduino pins, leaving pins free for future features. - Who is this project intended for?
It was designed to be used by children instead of a real cell phone or as an SOS device for someone working or exercising alone.
