I have recently ran into the problem that the signal strength to my cable internet modem has diminished to the point that it will not operate. At the point that the cable enters the house it goes into a 2-way splitter. My question is that would it be better to get a bi-directional booster that splits into 2, 10db outputs or 1, 15db output then apply the splitter or to use the splitter first then the booster just on the line that ends up at the computer.
Any help would be appreciated, Thank You!!!
CLWEBB
Replies
Go to Radio Shack. A whole bunch of problem solvers.
if the signal RECENTLY changed, look at the quality of each connection and solve your problem there. Could be corrosion.
if the signal was never very good, since the splitter was installed, then look for a booster or better splitter. The cable guy told me that usually it takes a split of more than 3 or 4 (or super long runs) before the strength drops enough to warrant a booster and that a booster where its not needed can amplify noise enough to CAUSE problems. This does depend on your local service - my cable company will check that signal strength for you for free, and help you to make countermeasures at a (relatively) small fee.
Be sure that your splitter is good for the frequencies that you need. Splitters are rated for band width on their label so that you use the right one - those suitable for "digital" are the widest bandwidth (again, the bandwidth being specific for your need so that unwanted noise in other freqs won't be passed along to your tuner or whatever).
Hope this helps,
Norm
Sounds like you know something about cable installs and signal.
I've got a satellite system, and I'm looking for a signal strength meter so I can measure signal strength through coax runs in my house.
Any suggestions about where to get one and what they cost?
Thanks.
oops, no
I only know what the cable guy told me when he checked out my installation a few months ago.
Satelite is something I think you need to talk about with the person who sold you the system. Don't they rent a strength meter when you do your own install? I think it would be awfully important for setting the aim correctly.
sorry, that's all I know about that...
Norm
three things, youre splitter is probably a cheapo not designed for internet or you got cable pirates in the neighborhood. Or your cable line is old.
Cable pirates really mess up the connection since the bandwidth is stolen from the air the signal degrades because more people are trying take the signal then allowed for. Its kinda like everyone taking a shower and using the toilet at your house all at the same time, sure you get water but most times its low pressure and the hot water is gone before you can finish soaping up.
Call the cable company, they can help find a solution. What happened with me with this same problem. My drop from pole was on really old line, probably around 15 yrs old and wasnt designed to handle the range of frequency at the low end of the spectrum where my inet is located. They put a new drop to the house and viola everything was fine.
Edited 7/11/2003 12:38:45 PM ET by WmP
This sounds like a cable problem.
Check your connections and if you don't see any problem call the cable company.
Yeah, call the company. Among their options is changing the...I forget what it's called...signal limiter at the D-post where the common line splits to your private line. Several times they've tweaked the signal strength there for me. I was noticing problems with higher channels, and that was a sign of a signal problem (my neighbor had a nasty habit of cutting my line, and the accumulation of splices weakened the signal). The cable line before the D-post usually has a much stronger signal than you need, and they step it down for you. Simple tweak by them might take care of it. They should come and test the signal for you without any hassle.
hey,
Thanks to every one who replied. Actually I was helping a friend of mine with his problem. Long story short we did some investigation and he is going to have the company check out the signal strength. According to the self test from the provider the signal strength from the pole on a fifty foot run of RG6 striaght from the pole with no other load on it was -6db. The drop line was new so it could be some provider problem he has several splits but it worked fine for about a year at -10 which was what it was at the time it was installed. Go figure.
C
Just a note of caution on using "2-way" amplifiers to help out cable modems. Most of the "2-way" amplifiers will pass signals both directions, but only amplify them in the downstream direction (toward the modem). They actually slightly attenuate the signal in the upstream direction. So if the problem you have is that the headend is having a hard time hearing the modem, these so-called "bidirectional" amplifiers won't help.
Motorola makes an amplifier for use with cable modems, that amplifies in both directions. 'not cheap; about $70.
the first comcast cable rep asked me
do you have a vcr connected? thats the problem (most people in merica do but I did not say that
the second one that came out, said we are having a problem and are upgrading our equipment
the third one checked the signal strength and dug around till he found the bad connection, which he then fixed.
amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi,
I used to be a cable subcontractor, so I have some experience with what you're talking about.
Based on what you've said, it could be any number of things from corroded connectors to bad cabling to a problem with the main underground or pole line. The best solution is to have the cable company find the problem for you. I don't know what area you're in, but where I'm at, the cable company troubleshoots for free and may charge a small fee to fix the problem depending on the situation.
However, in my experience, the most common problems with cable modems are bad wiring, connectors, or an improper cable modem setup. A lot of the problems I've seen are from home owners buying cheap cable and splitters at the home store. If the picture on your TV's didn't get worse when this problem started, then it's probably at the splitter or the line running to the modem. Ideally there should only be one splitter between the modem and the line coming off the pole and no VCR's or the like on the modem line. Splitters need to have a frequency range going up to 1000MHz (1GHz) or the modem won't work properly.
Amplifiers are problem-causers for cable modems unless they're specifically designed to be compatible. You shouldn't need an amplifier if your wiring is good and you have less than 5 total outlets, depending on the signal strength at the pole.
Finally, to the person to asked about signal meters - I've only seen them as specialty items and they're very expensive - about $800 for the one I used. There are cheap ones around, but they only will test signals for the common TV frequencies, not those for modems or digital boxes. However, many digital boxes have an undocumented troubleshooting feature that will give you the signal strength the box is receiving on any particular channel as well as other information. The troubleshooting mode is sometimes activated by holding specific buttons while turning the box on. I'd suggest searching the internet for your particular model to see how to activate this mode.
Hope that helps,
Andy