Question:  I have multiple i-stations on my Eclipse Pico system running ECS 5.2 software.  There is a need to reprogram locally a couple of the keys on one of the i-stations located in a remote section of the building where ECS software cannot be accessed.  Do I have to setup "Sort Groups" in ECS in order to access the programming capability locally at the i-station?
Answer:  The I-Station can locally reprogram talk / listen keys on the panel without having to setup Sort Groups. 
a -- First verify that the I-Station is enabled for local key programming, go to ECS Cards and Ports and highlight the selected I-Station port, this will open the advanced settings column on the right-hand side of the Ports screen.  Scroll down to "Soft Mode" settings, verify that a check mark is present on the "Key Assign Mode Access" option. 
b -- Press button "5" on the I-Station keypad, this allows access to the “pick list scroll” feature which allows you to assign any intercom panel, interface, control, fixed group or party-line in the system to a key on your panel directly from your panel. You can assign the panel or interface to your panel as a talk or listen key. To do this, you first access a list of all panels and interfaces in the system on the front-panel display of your I-Station panel. You then scroll through the list and select the panel or interface that you want to assign to your panel. In other words, you literally “pick” from a “list” that you “scroll” through.
c -- Highlight the selected label by scrolling with the Vol/Prog rotary knob and press the key associated with the highlighted label.  You will hear a single beep from the I-Station and the display will revert back its normal state. 
d -- Press on the I-Station's desired blank key to "place" the selected label, it will appear as a "TALK" and the I-Station will beep twice to signal that the programming operation is complete. 
e -- to create a "LISTEN" label, press button 5 on the keypad, then press the "Listen" button on the keypad, this displays all the available listen labels on the system.  Follow the rest of step B, then step C and D to complete the local programming for a LISTEN label. 
To remove a label locally from the I-Station follow these steps:
1 -- Press keypad button "5" on the I-Station
2 -- Highlight the "clear" entry on the I-Station display, press the associated button above "clear", you will hear a single beep
3 -- Press the label button for the key that is to be removed, it will disappear and the I-Station will beep twice to confirm that the programming operation is complete.
NOTE:  When programming the I-Station locally the programming operation steps need to be carried out in a timely manner as the I-Station keypad will time out in approximately 6 seconds if nothing is pressed or scrolled to.  If this happens the user will have to re-start the label programming process.