If "flag" is the same length (8 bits), then this should work

my ( $flag, $bytes, $message ) = 
   $frame =~ /^([01]{8})([01]{16})([01]*)\1$/;
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Dr. Michael K. Neylon - mneylon-pm@masemware.com || "You've left the lens cap of your mind on again, Pinky" - The Brain
"I can see my house from here!"
It's not what you know, but knowing how to find it if you don't know that's important