Raspberry Pi Hacking Like Its 1995

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"HACK THE PLANET!"

PanicAcid's initial tests to send POCSAG messages to a pager
(Image credit: PanicAcid)

Hackers, a 1990s movie that has gained cult status since its release, is well-loved in the hacker and maker communities. Sure its depiction of hacking is a little farcical, but that just adds to its charm ("Rabbit," "flu shot," etc.). The titular hero team of hackers, led by Johnny Lee Miller (Zero Cool) and Angelina Jolie (Acid Burn), communicated via pagers, and modern-day hacker PanicAcid is resurrecting the retro tech with the help of a Raspberry Pi 4.

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Les Pounder
Les Pounder
Associate Editor

Les Pounder is an associate editor at Tom's Hardware. He is a creative technologist and for seven years has created projects to educate and inspire minds both young and old. He has worked with the Raspberry Pi Foundation to write and deliver their teacher training program "Picademy".

1 Comment Comment from the forums
  • bit_user
    Wow, I didn't expect that you could actually broadcast to your own pager!

    And, um, yeah I'd recommend at least using that bandpass filter that was mentioned, to minimize the amount of EMI disruptions in your immediate vicinity. It'd be informative to know what other sorts of devices and services are using that range, in the US. Probably stuff like pacemakers and construction detonators, among other things (does anyone remember the warning signs not to use cell phones around construction sites where there's blasting?).
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