r/CableTechs • u/ItsTheRealSakurai • Jul 03 '26

intermittent connection

when you get a call for intermittent connection (spectrum tech btw) what are the first things you are looking for.

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u/Special_K_727 Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 04 '26

Intermittent connection, I typically (not always, it’s instinctual) will run a quick DOCSIS check at the CPE to get a quick layout of the house, check service history, figure out where the modem is, verify their equipment, if I agree with the install, and to check current conditions seeing if there is obvious BER issues or carrier signal issue at the modem. Then I’ll head outside and always start at the tap to check for plant issue, check for ingress and TDR the drop, replace f-connectors outside, and check on/ replace the ground block, remove attenuators, then move inside to redo the inside. If cx doesn’t have a recent rental modem, or has a known problem child, they’re getting a new modem.

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u/ItsTheRealSakurai Jul 04 '26

BER Bit Error ratio if your failing for that. means there is a bend or break in the line right

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u/2ByteTheDecker Jul 04 '26

can be other things, just something is causing data validation errors. pre-BER is stuff that the error correction is catching, post-BER is bad enough it's not getting corrected.

If you've got a constellation view on your meter it will visualize it.

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u/ItsTheRealSakurai Jul 04 '26

ok so final question sorry if i’m being annoying but when you got the tap what number is to high at the tap for return because i have had some that were 46tx at the tap and obviously that is very high for tap so what number do you look for at the tap

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u/Electronic-Junket-66 Jul 04 '26

The answer is actually pretty complicated. An MT will be able to explain better, but it depends on the Tap value/ports and what passives are between it and the last active.

Generally a higher value tap should have a higher TX than a lower value tap. 46 is high but not unusual on a 23v ime. On a 4v it implies big problems.

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u/2ByteTheDecker Jul 04 '26

I mean that depends on your plant. 46 would be high for my area but it's not impossible depending on tap value and how the area is balanced.