i hope the author is not going to use this panel as-is because it send everything in clear. i would keep the front panel but retrofit a microcontroller in there to encrypt keypresses before it is sent.
The vast majority of garage door openers out there use unencoded RF tech, and it's very seldom a problem. And the other side: there was a recent string of thefts of BMW and VW cars in my area. Reason? They had an inside man at the main office who slipped them copies of the remotes.
The tech is very, very rarely the weak link.
Why does this sound like Gone in 60 Seconds :)