The following will explain why you may get a bF message on the Vista-10/15/20 control panels.

BF (backup failure) refers to the Alarmnet radio backup.

The control panel is looking for a radio backup and:

·        You do not have an Alarmnet radio

·        Your panel is unable to communicate with the Alarmnet radio

·        The Alarmnet has an internal trouble

You do not have an Alarmnet radio

If you are getting this message, you have enabled the radio backup accidentally.

For Vista-10se: Set *27 = 0 to disable the radio backup.

For Vista-15/ 20: Set *29 = 0 to disable the radio backup.

Your panel is unable to communicate with the Alarmnet radio

Make sure that the Alarmnet is wired correctly and set for the proper mode (ECP mode)

For assistance in troubleshooting, contact Alarmnet at 1-800-222-6525

The Alarmnet has an internal trouble

These troubles could be power related, a tamper on the unit, or a communications problem to the Alarmnet system.