How Do I Perform a Transmitter Sniffer Test on a Vista Panel?

To enter transmitter sniffer mode on a Vista-15p, 20P, or 21iP panel, key-in Installer Code + [#] + [3] . Make sure the system is ready, with no faults, bypasses or armed partitions and that it is not attempting to communicate. Use this to verify programming and operation of wireless zones.

A transmitter sniffer test is used to make sure that all of the wireless zones on the panel are working correctly. It is recommended that users conduct this test after all wireless programming has been completed. By performing the transmitter sniffer test, you will be able to easily identify any wireless zones that are not functioning properly.

Complete the following steps to perform the test:

1. Access the mode. Enter Installer Code + [#] + [3] on the keypad to put the panel into its transmitter sniffer mode. The keypad will beep to acknowledge the command. It will then display "Xmit Sniffer" before creating a list of all the wireless zones that have been programmed.
2. Fault each wireless zone. As the list of wireless zones scrolls on the display, one zone number at a time, walk around and fault each wireless zone. When the panel receives a signal from a transmitter, any zone associated with that serial number will be cleared from the display. This means for devices with multiple loops, such as the 5816, 5817 or 4-button keyfobs, a transmission from any zone on that transmitter will clear all the zones associated with that transmitter from the display.
3. Check the display. Once all of the zones have been faulted, check the display. If any zones are still scrolling, it either means that a signal was not received or that the serial number was programmed incorrectly. Check the programming, then test again.
4. Exit test mode. Once all testing has been completed, enter the Installer Code + [1] to exit transmitter sniffer mode. The panel will not exit this mode on its own, and the test will never time out.