Abstract: A local call receiver or pager includes a circuit (3) for receiving and demodulating a call signal emitted by a central station and which contains synchronization code words, address code words and message code words. The circuit is connected to the pager energy source (16) through a switching circuit (3b) for cutting off the energy supply when it is not necessary to receive the call signal. The pager also includes a decoder (4) intended to control the switching circuit as a function of the analysis of the call signal synchronization code words. The analysis is effected bit-by-bit and the receiver circuit is disconnected as soon as the synchronization code word is recognized, in most cases following analysis of only a few bits of the code word. Application is in respect of pagers in which a satisfactory compromise must be obtained between dimensions and autonomy, as for instance in pagers combined with a timepiece to be worn on the wrist.