How Do I Change the Default Screen On an Alpha Keypad For a VISTA-21iPLTE?

You can change the default screen on an Alpha Keypad for a VISTA-21iPLTE by entering into the [*82] field of System Programming, pressing [1], then [1] again, and then either [11]. [12], or [13] depending on the keypad's partition, entering the desired word or phrase, and saving with [8].

The default screen is also sometimes referred to as the "Ready Screen" and the default message can be seen in the image above. By following the steps outlined below, you can have a custom word or phrase appear on the top line of this screen on your Alphanumeric Keypad whenever the system is in the ready state. It will be there to greet you whenever you go to control your VISTA-21iPLTE Security System. Please note that any custom word or phrase you apply is limited to 16 characters maximum.

Complete the following steps to change the default screen on an Alphanumeric Keypad for a VISTA-21iPLTE:

1. Enter System Programming. First, you must enter into System Programming using your Alphanumeric Keypad. Enter [Installer Code] + [8] + [00]. The default Installer Code for the system is 4112, so the proper entry is most likely [4112800]. The message "Installer Code 20" should appear on your keypad.

2. Enter Alpha Programming. You now need to enter Alpha Programming, which is a sub-menu of System Programming. Enter the command [*82] to enter Alpha Programming. The keypad will read "Program Alpha? 0=No, 1=Yes" to indicate that you are in the correct menu.

3. Navigate to Custom Words. When asked if you want to "Program Alpha?", enter [1] for Yes. Then you will be asked "Custom Word ?", and you should again enter [1] for Yes. You will be in the Custom Words sub-menu.

4. Choose Keypad Partition. The keypad will read "Custom? 00" at this time. The next entry you make depends on the Partition whose default screen you wish to change. If you wish to change the default screen for Partition 1, enter [11]. If you wish to change the default screen for Partition 2, enter [12]. Or if you wish to change the default screen for the Common Lobby Partition, enter [13]. Continue to the next step after making your entry.

5. Enter Custom Word. You have reached the most important step, where you will actually provide the custom word or phrase you want to appear on the top line of the home screen. You will enter one character at a time when doing this. Keep in mind that you are restricted to a maximum of sixteen (16) total characters. A blank SPACE will also count as a character, so make sure to consider that when planning the word or phrase you want to use.

To make a character entry, you must enter [#], followed by the two-digit number associated with the character you want to add. The valid entries range from 32 thru 90. Letters start at 65, and they run thru 90. Each character has its own two-digit entry associated with it. For example, A is 65. If you want to enter an A, then you will enter [#65]. Then you press the [6] key to move the cursor to the right for the next character. If you need to backtrack left to a previous entry, then you press the [4] key. If you want a blank space, or if you want to clear an entry, then the SPACE entry is 32, so you would enter [#32]. The sequence of commands is basically [#], plus the two-digit number associated with the character you want to apply, then [6] to move right to the next character in the sequence, or [4] to move back left if you make a mistake. Continue in this manner until your desired word or phrase is displayed.

Once you have finished entering the entire word or phrase, instead of pressing [6] you can press [8]. This will save your entire entry. You will be taken back to the "Custom? 00" prompt, indicating that your entry has been saved. Refer to the chart below for the complete list of two-digit numbers for character entries, ranging from 32 to 90.

To get our entry of "ALARM GRID", the complete entry was [#65 + 6 + #76 + 6 + #65 + 6 + #82 + 6 + #77 + 6 + #32 + 6 + #71 + 6 + #82 + 6 + #73 + 6 + #68], followed by [8] to save. Note that the [#32] entry signifies a blank space, and it could have technically been skipped by just pressing [6] to move to the next entry. However, we wanted to list it to show that the SPACE also counts as a character.

6. Exit programming. After you press [8] and save your entry, you will be back at the "Custom?" screen. Enter [00] to backtrack. You will then be at the "Program Alpha?" screen. Enter [0] for No. Then enter [*99] to exit programming. Always use the [*99] command to exit programming so that you do not become locked out.