How to Tell If a Keypad Has an RF Receiver Built-In

In this video, Jorge from Alarm Grid explains how to tell if the keypad for a wired alarm panel has an RF receiver built-in. When a keypad on a wired panel has an RF receiver, it gives the system the ability to support wireless alarm sensors. Normally, a wired system can only support hardwired sensors. If you want to use wireless sensors on the system, then adding an RF receiver is required. You may also hear an RF receiver being referred to as a wireless receiver. And if the wireless receiver can send messages back to the sensor, then it is known as a wireless transceiver. Some sensors require the use of bi-directional transceivers, and they cannot be used with uni-directional, or one-way, receivers.
An example of a hardwired alarm system that can be upgraded to support wireless sensors is a Honeywell VISTA System. The VISTA Systems have certain keypad options that double as wireless receivers. One such keypad is the Honeywell 6160RF. The 6160RF Alphanumeric Keypad is used for controlling the Honeywell VISTA System, but it also has an integrated receiver. Once the keypad is properly set up with the system, you will also be able to start enrolling compatible wireless sensors. In the case of a Honeywell VISTA with an added receiver, the system will support 345 MHz wireless sensors from the Honeywell 5800 Series. But it can be a bit tricky to figure out if a 6160RF really has an RF transceiver built inside. This is because the 6160RF looks very similar to the standard 6160 Keypad model, which is the same keypad but without the integrated transceiver. Some ways that you can find out include checking the box for the keypad, checking its circuit board, looking for an RF antenna on the inside, and addressing the keypad with the system.
www.alarmgrid....
alrm.gd/get-mon...

[@MrKentaroMotoPI]

Pop 'dat pad, Bro!

[@alexandersalarms5380]

Do you have a video on how to program wireless smoke detector to vista 128fb/32?

[@freddaniels8259]

I'm sorry we do not deal with fire systems. It should be similar to a 128bp though, with a few different zone programming questions, if that helps. Just remember those systems are life safety and you want to be sure it is done correctly.

[@alexandersalarms5380]

@@freddaniels8259 All right thanks!

[@randydicotti3975]

Ok...so I figured out on my own that keypads with no antenna are for hard wired systems only and cannot communicate wirelessly. I wish he had just said that. For all I knew the panel could also have a transceiver or the cellular device or whatever....who knows. s44

[@freddaniels8259]

Hey Randy, How are ya? That is not entirely true. I also think you are confusing a lot of things. Built in RF antenna just means is can talk to 5800 series transmitters. It is still a hardwired keypad in the way it talks to the alarm panel. If it doesn't have one the receiver could be a stand alone receiver like a 5883. Cellular devices are totally a different subject that has no bearing on an rf receiver. All current model keypads that have built in receivers are also transceivers. The purpose of this video is for one who may have moved into a home with existing equipment and just simply need to determine if the keypad has a receiver/transceiver built inside of it. Maybe the receiver stopped working and they cannot find the standalone receiver, so they are seeing if a keypad is the receiver. That way they can setup or plan the rest of the system accordingly. Hopefully this clears things up a little bit. Enjoy.