I'm a new Field Tech!

broadband brown · Post by **broadband brown** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 9:08 pm

Just got my truck today and should start running routes this week. been in training for awhile.. but I have a question for the seasoned guru's out there.

we use a signal level meter and test the signals on cable channel 5 and 79 to judge if the signals at the modem are proper, however different techs tell me different things. one tells me +5 to +10 on channel 5 and -16 or under on channel 79 is where you should be at the modem.

Then I hear anywhere from -10 to +10 on 5

so which is correct?

It's been interesting so far.. even ran some TV routes with my trainer during training... I much prefer doing cable modems!

Kip Patterson · Post by **Kip Patterson** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 9:13 pm

So, who are you with?

By PM, if you prefer.

Kip

Indy · Post by **Indy** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 11:30 pm

Welcome to the wonderful world of broadband!

I know when we look at levels here, we go by channel 2 and 591 mHz on the meter...I normally look for 0 to 10 dB on channel 2 (upstream), and -10 to +5 dB on 591 (downstream), but it probably depends on how they have your plant set up. They may have your amps set up differently as far as the levels coming in and going out...

MtCableman · Post by **MtCableman** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 1:01 am

By manufacturer specs the modems should have -15dB to +15dB input. The cable industry tightens those specs to -10dB to +10dB input. That is the DOWNSTREAM channel input to the modem measured with AVERAGE POWER for the digital channel. The meter needs to be capable of measuring the average power of the digital signal, not just the carrier level or the sync pulse level. You need to measure the actual channel that the downstream signal is on, not just the adjacent channels. You should also look at the entire spectrum for valleys or sags in the signal levels. This could be caused by anything from the Headend improperly set out, an amp problem, bad fittings, etc...... This could cause the modem to improperly range if it affects the upstream signal. Sometimes you can see a "drop-out" in the lower part of the signal (channel 2-5) that will go into the 5-40Mhz range which you cannot see with a meter without the "reverse sweep" option.

To make a long story even longer. Make sure that the fittings are properly put on and all the connections are properly connected and sealed from the elements. That includes the "traps" or filters that your system uses. I have seen a lot of filters that have worn out connectors for the center conductor. Proper care of the craftmanship will prevent service calls on your installs. Check the modem ranging signal using the modem's GUI. Make sure it meets the specs of your system. We run ours from +32dB to +54dB.

Hopefully this helps a little, experience will give you more confidence on the RF side and help you with proper install techniques and service calls that you will encounter.

GOOD LUCK!

therealcableguy · Post by **therealcableguy** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 5:03 am

Welcome to the wonderful world of cable Broadband Brown! You need a local guru to serve as your mentor.Find a supervisor with some time under his/her belt.They will be able to cut through that quagmire of misinformation for you.Definitely use this site!It has been a great help to me for the last couple of years. I was coming here and reading long before I decided to join and you can pick up a lot of great info.Thanks to all at this site that have helped me over the years.Too many to name.

Ganyon · Post by **Ganyon** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 5:45 pm

Get a new job. Cable is the biggest dead end job and the pay sucks.

wee96 · Post by **wee96** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 5:54 pm

Originally posted by Ganyon
Get a new job. Cable is the biggest dead end job and the pay sucks.

Oh btw, dont always trust supervisors or fellow workers, they are only out for themselves. YOU keep your knowledge up and you do your job to the best of your ability. Dont let guys whove been doing it for along time get to ya, as you will probably end up bypassing them and knowing more than they ever did (as I did). What type of meter/s did you get? What kinda van did you get?

Just curious.

<--WaveTech 1400, RSVP (not 2, I lost my v2 bleh), 1997 Chevy 2500 (with air, unlike 99% of our fleet). *flex*

HalfLifer · Post by **HalfLifer** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 3:01 pm

Have fun

MtCableman · Post by **MtCableman** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:06 pm

Originally posted by wee96
[B
<--WaveTech 1400, RSVP (not 2, I lost my v2 bleh), 1997 Chevy 2500 (with air, unlike 99% of our fleet). *flex* [/B]

Too bad you don't have the 1750 from Wavetek. It has a lot more useful features that the 1400. If you didn't know already, you can program that meter with the Wavetek software. This is a fast way to put in a channel plan into the meter. Does your 1400 have the Digital Option? Allowing to read and power average didgital signals? If so you can program that with the STEALTHWARE software from Wavetek. All of our techs have the 1750 kits.

VAN? Nope, out here in the West we use TRUCKS!

Indy · Post by **Indy** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:09 pm

Originally posted by wee96
<--WaveTech 1400, RSVP (not 2, I lost my v2 bleh), 1997 Chevy 2500 (with air, unlike 99% of our fleet). *flex*

Everyone of OUR vans have air

Same meter tho

broadband brown · Post by **broadband brown** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 6:13 am

I don't know what kind of meter it is yet.. as I haven't received it yet. I got a ford f150 with a cap... the thing is pretty screwed up though.... 64K miles and it seems to have an injector clogged or something..

been out for 2 days on my own now.. its been ok.. haven't really had many problems..

therealcableguy · Post by **therealcableguy** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 6:14 am

All of our vans have air and about a third of our techs have the 1750.Everyone else has the SDA5000.

Ganyon · Post by **Ganyon** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 4:21 pm

You know you got a good job when one of the bragging points is you got a van with Air. GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN!!!!!!!

broadband brown · Post by **broadband brown** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 6:36 pm

Mental Note to self: If I ever build a home, I won't use that spray in ground up cardboard insulation in the attic.. WTF?!?

GhostRider · Post by **GhostRider** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 10:48 pm

VAN. oh boy, try a F-450 bucket truck with Altec boom baby. Now your cooking with gas. SDA5000 here., but i wonder why a company would buy a $10,000 dollar meter for over a third of its employees . Wierd or stupid in my opinion. only six of them in our region and only the six Broadband Network Techs have them....

therealcableguy · Post by **therealcableguy** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 11:58 pm

We got the SDA5000's in the 6,000 dollar range.I believe the QAM option takes it up close to 9,000.All of our bucket techs(20?) have them to troubleshoot as do a large percentage of our service techs.BTW pickup truck with tinted windows,CD player,cassette deck,power windows,power locks,keyless entry and alarm.Oh yeah, and air conditioning.

MtCableman · Post by **MtCableman** » Fri Mar 15, 2002 9:29 am

Originally posted by therealcableguy
We got the SDA5000's in the 6,000 dollar range.I believe the QAM option takes it up close to 9,000.All of our bucket techs(20?) have them to troubleshoot as do a large percentage of our service techs.BTW pickup truck with tinted windows,CD player,cassette deck,power windows,power locks,keyless entry and alarm.Oh yeah, and air conditioning.

It's pretty funny that everyone brags about their rides. LOL

So what kind of laptops are provided to you?

Ganyon · Post by **Ganyon** » Fri Mar 15, 2002 9:34 am

It's a redneck thing

therealcableguy · Post by **therealcableguy** » Fri Mar 15, 2002 1:37 pm

Originally posted by MtCableman

It's pretty funny that everyone brags about their rides. LOL

So what kind of laptops are provided to you?

I probably should not brag about the truck.Its over the top with the features and the manager who purchased is no longer with us. We all have Dell Latitudes.Mine is the first one ordered back in 99

P3 ,300Mhz,64Mb of RAM.I am hoping to pass mine down to a tech and order a new one soon.5 laptops in the field.

MtCableman · Post by **MtCableman** » Fri Mar 15, 2002 2:49 pm

Originally posted by Ganyon
It's a redneck thing

It must be, because evyone bragging about their rides is from the SOUTH! LOL

MtCableman · Post by **MtCableman** » Fri Mar 15, 2002 2:52 pm

Originally posted by therealcableguy

I probably should not brag about the truck.Its over the top with the features and the manager who purchased is no longer with us. We all have Dell Latitudes.Mine is the first one ordered back in 99 P3 ,300Mhz,64Mb of RAM.I am hoping to pass mine down to a tech and order a new one soon.5 laptops in the field.

Since we are into the bragging mood.

Mine: Toshiba 800PIII 128M ram......It was the fastest approved Laptop at the time. Scary since the 2Ghz ones were out!

Truck: GMC 1500, A/C, Stereo.....went fast.....especially when the state had the speed limit set at "....Safe and Prudent".

Indy · Post by **Indy** » Fri Mar 15, 2002 3:03 pm

Originally posted by therealcableguy

I probably should not brag about the truck.Its over the top with the features and the manager who purchased is no longer with us. We all have Dell Latitudes.Mine is the first one ordered back in 99 P3 ,300Mhz,64Mb of RAM.I am hoping to pass mine down to a tech and order a new one soon.5 laptops in the field.

Lol, got ya beat...I got mine August of '99...PII 300 Dell Latitude w/64 meg & a 4.5 gig hard drive...I'm hoping to get a new one soon, seeing as this one hits the three year mark in august

Alien · Post by **Alien** » Fri Mar 15, 2002 3:42 pm

F.O.R.D. ?

Fix Or Repair Daily
Found On Road Dead

It's a joke, laugh at it.

broadband brown · Post by **broadband brown** » Fri Mar 15, 2002 8:33 pm

I used to like fords.... but man... this one I'm driving is terrible.. bucks on the expressway..... coughs, sputters, I think I even heard a backfire once...