The TAP protocol is the industry-standard protocol for sending alphanumeric (and sometimes numeric) pages via a modem dial-up connection.
Alphanumeric paging is much more precise than numeric paging. Paging companies offer a standard answering service, that is, a human operator that normally takes the paging information. However, all paging companies also offer a direct-dial computer link. PageMaster/ex dials this special number and connects with a standard modem carrier. It can then issue the page as it would any modem data. To accomplish this, PageMaster/ex needs the pager ID (PIN) number that must be sent to the paging company’s computer. This PIN, along with the direct computer-link phone number, can be obtained from your paging company representative. A few paging companies also require a password.
The following properties are required when using this protocol, and are detailed below:
| SYSTEM PHONE NUMBER | The modem dial-up phone number |
| BAUD RATE | The baud rate supported by the paging provider |
| PASSWORD | The password used by the paging provider |
| PAGES ALLOWED PER CALL | The limit on the number of page requests allowed per call |
The SYSTEM PHONE NUMBER property specifies the phone number used to reach the modem at the paging provider. Most paging providers refer to this as the "System Phone Number" or "TAP Access Number".
The BAUD RATE property specifies the baud rate (and optionally port settings) at which PageMaster/ex will connect with the paging provider. The default of 300 is supported by most paging companies. If the paging company supporting this pager operates at a different baud rate, select the appropriate setting from the drop-list. Most paging companies operate at 300, 1200, or 2400. Very few operate any higher than 2400.
Most paging providers use a word length of 7, parity even, and one stop bit. These are the port settings at which PageMaster/ex operates. Should the paging service provider operate with different settings, you may append them to the end of the baud rate. For example, if your service provider works at 300 baud with a word length of 8, no parity, and one stop bit, you would append ",8,N,1" to the baud rate. The field should then read "300,8,N,1". Parity is abbreviated as follows: N=None, E=Even, 0=Odd, M=Mark.
The PASSWORD property specifies the password (if required) used by the paging provider. Most do not require passwords, so this property can usually be left blank. If you are not sure if a password is required, contact your paging company representative.
The PAGES ALLOWED PER CALL property specifies the number of page request this service provider permits in a single call. Most service providers do not impose any restrictions. The default value for this property is 0, which means no limit.