NAPCO PCD-Windows Version 6.1 Quickloader — New Features Summary

Summary of new features in NAPCO PCD-Windows Version 6.1 Quickloader — the panel-programming/download software for NAPCO Gemini burglar and fire alarm control panels, covering StarLink SLe-GSM radio support, VOIP downloading improvements, and new Gemini panel programming options.

Overview

PCD-Windows Quickloader is NAPCO's download software for programming Gemini control panels (GEM-P816, P1632, P1664, P3200, 9600, X255). This bulletin summarizes what's new in Version 6.1.

• StarLink SLe-GSM Radio Up/Download Support
• New "Voice (VOIP) Over IP Mode" for improved up/downloading over VOIP connections
• New Zone Option "Manual Bypass Re-entry"
• New Keypad Assignment Type "RCM" for iRemote-MOD
• New Gemini C-Series (GEMC) V83A6 features: Single Button Supplemental Reset, Coded Cadence 4 Cycles Only, Disable Panel Error Check Required Mode, All Keypads Unlocked for Silence/Reset/Supp., Horn/Strobe Simultaneous Silence, Keypad 1 Always Unlocked for User Functions, Unattended Download Mode

StarLink SLe-GSM Up/Download Support

The StarLink SLe-GSM Radio is a fully supervised, two-way wireless digital subscriber unit on a nationwide wireless network, compatible with virtually any alarm panel. It can function as a primary wireless communicator or as backup to existing phone lines, automatically switching from phone line to GPRS network when it senses telephone trouble.

On a NAPCO Gemini panel, the SLe-GSM can be used to upload/download the panel program via PCD-Windows Quickloader — a high-speed download (typically completing a full panel program download in 20 seconds or less, about 20x faster than a telephone connection).

Setup: Click the GPRS/Radio Communications button to open the GPRS Panel Communications dialog, enter the 7-digit SLe-GSM Radio ID number in the GPRS Device ID field, select the desired Data Transfer Operation, and click OK.

VOIP Downloading Improvements

With some VOIP connections, the provider's equipment may not connect when carrier tone is present on the line, causing connection issues since Quickloader normally connects with carrier present immediately after dialing.

Enable "Voice Over IP Mode" (Panel Selection screen, Download/Callback Info tab) to keep the line quiet after dialing — allowing a short silent delay, a short carrier tone, and up to 5 seconds of wait time for the panel to listen for a carrier response.

• VOIP Mode Silent Time: Wait time before the panel outputs a carrier tone, in units of 250ms (default 0 converts to 8 = 2 seconds)
• VOIP Mode Carrier Time: Duration of the panel's carrier tone output on initial connection, in units of 100ms (default 0 converts to 30 = 3 seconds)

Note: Requires control panel firmware version 30M or later (GEM-P816, P1632, P1664, Freedom F-64) or 60A14 or later (GEM-P3200, P9600, X255). Only enable this feature if experiencing VOIP connection issues — it must be enabled in both the Quickloader account and the control panel memory (set via local download or keypad programming).

Gemini GEM-P9600: Manual Bypass Re-entry

Designed for commercial applications where exit doors programmed as Day Zones are protected during the day, but bypass-authorized personnel can perform work tasks (accepting deliveries, etc.). When the door closes, it automatically re-enters the system (unbypassed and re-secured) — eliminating the need to manually unbypass at the keypad, while alerting security personnel if a door is left open past a programmable threshold.

Manual Bypass Re-entry Time — programmable duration a manually bypassed Day Zone can remain bypassed, beginning when the door is physically opened. If the zone isn't restored by expiration, a Day Zone trouble condition annunciates at the keypad, programmed relay outputs (Aux Relay, Remote Relays) activate, and the alarm reports if so programmed (silenced by code entry at the keypad). Up to 96 zones can be tracked independently with different timers.

Programming steps:

• Zone Configuration: program Auxiliary Output for all Day Zones (optionally any remote relay for Day Zone Trouble activation) and Manual Bypass Re-entry
• System Assignment, System Options tab: program "Reset day zone with arm/disarm only"
• System Assignment, Time Selection tab: program Manual Bypass Re-entry Time (0, or 2–255 minutes)

Example workflow: Day Zone violated → keypad sounder and Aux Relay activate, display scrolls "Day Zone Alarm Zone XXX" → press RESET to silence, enter User Code + ON/OFF to clear display and reset relay. Employee opens door: enter User Code, press BYPASS, enter Zone Number, press BYPASS again. Closing the door before the re-entry time expires automatically removes the bypass; leaving it open past the timer triggers a Day Zone Trouble. At night arming, secure bypassed zones re-enter the system automatically; insecure zones remain bypassed until addressed the next morning.

New Keypad Assignment Type: "RCM" for iRemote-MOD

A new Remote Control Module ("RCM") keypad type is available for GEM-P3200, GEM-P9600, and GEM-X255 panels, allowing an iRemote-MOD "keypad" to be added to the control panel. The iRemote-MOD lets a NAPCO panel be controlled remotely through a subscriber account on MyRemoteKeypad.com or the MyRemoteKeypad mobile app (iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry).

The panel keypad bus (3-wire or 4-wire selectable) wires to the iRemote-MOD, which connects via RJ-45 to a router with internet access. After identity verification, a secure link allows remote control. The panel treats the iRemote-MOD as an additional "keypad" — select "RCM" in the Keypad Assignment screen, Keypad Assignment tab, to enable it.

Gemini C-Series (GEMC) V83A6 Features

• Single Button Supplemental Reset: Relay events activated on Trouble/Trouble Restore can activate outputs programmed as Supplemental, which stay on until reset via the GEMC-FK1 Fire Keypad's Function Menu ("Reset Supplemental Output") — or by pressing and holding "0" on an unlocked keypad.
• Coded Cadence 4 Cycles Only: Limits repeated coded cadence alarm patterns to 4 cycles (imitating older coded boxes with limited spring capacity). Enable via Direct Address Program Mode address 5327 option 1, or via Quickloader's NAC/Output Assignment screen.
• Disable Panel Error Check Required Mode: Lets the dealer require a Quickloader error check after programming. Enable via Direct Address Program Mode address 5326 option 6, or via Quickloader's Keypad Assignment screen, Keypad Features tab.
• All Keypads Unlocked for Silence, Reset and Supp.: Keeps SILENCE/RESET keys and Supplemental Relay Reset (hold "0") continually enabled on all Fire keypads. Enable via address 7952 option 8, or Quickloader's Keypad Features tab.
• Horn/Strobe Simultaneous Silence: Silences horns and resets strobes (with Smart NAC appliances) with one press of SILENCE (address 7952 option 6) — a global feature applying to all Smart NAC circuits including the NAC Extender (GEMC-NAC7).
• Keypad 1 Always Unlocked for User Functions: Keeps Fire Keypad #1 continually unlocked for all User functions (acknowledging, resetting, silencing alarms — not programming changes). Enable via address 7952 option 7, or Quickloader's Keypad Assignment screen.
• Unattended Download Mode: Allows unattended computer downloading for Fire Alarm installations. Enabled ONLY by keypad Direct Address Program Mode (address 8163, press "1") by an authorized dealer, regardless of Remote Downloading Rules, and cannot be overridden by Quickloader. Disabled by default; does not trigger an Error Check Required (E28) trouble message. Quickloader shows a non-functional checkbox reflecting whether it was enabled via keypad. Note: unattended downloading is NOT allowed for Fire Alarm UL installations.

Improved Scheduler Screens (GEM-P3200 / GEM-P9600 / GEM-X255)

Entering schedules has been simplified via the Schedule Assignment / Event Scheduler button, now divided into three tabs:

• Access Schedules: ACM card access groups restricted to a date/time block
• Alarm User Schedules: Alarm users with arming/disarming restricted to a date/time block, plus area-specific and other events
• Automation Schedules: Relay events activated at a date/time block

Note: To schedule ACM Group Access events, first enable ACM Access (System Assignment, System Options tab, check "Enable ACM Access").

New Open/Close Suppression Window

Accessed via Schedule Assignment → Open/Close Suppression Window, this suppresses Open/Close reporting within specified daily time blocks. The entry grid has columns for weekdays (Sunday–Saturday) and rows for each area's Open/Close, for both Normal and Holiday dates.

Click a cell to open the Enter Time dialog: uncheck "No Time," select start time, end time, and end day, then click OK. Check "No Time" to delete a window. Holiday Dates (set in the Holiday Dates tab) can have a different time block than Normal dates. The MA3000 and GEM-P9600 panels include a Search button to reuse previously entered values.

Software License & Support

PCD-Windows Quickloader is a tool intended for trained, certified/licensed alarm installation personnel programming NAPCO burglar and fire alarm control panels — not for use by untrained individuals. It's distributed only in North America directly from NAPCO or via authorized international distributors and may not be copied or redistributed without written permission. The software is provided "AS IS" with no warranty as to performance or results.

NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc., 333 Bayview Avenue, Amityville, NY 11701. Sales/Repairs: (800) 645-9445. Technical Service: (800) 645-9440. Publicly traded on NASDAQ: NSSC. © NAPCO 2012.