NimNams
@rogers.com
| [Cable] Why won't my drop amp work with my cable modem? I have an SVi drop amp with 5-42MHz passive return. From everything I've read, this should work with my Rogers cable modem (it's a Motorola SB5100). However, while the modem can receive a signal, it doesn't send.
What am I doing wrong? Did I get the wrong drop amp?
Thanks! | |
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 ajwees41
Premium
join:2002-05-10
Omaha, NE | Re: [Cable] Why won't my drop amp work with my cable modem? you most likely need one in the 5-1000MHz range for digital cable/HSI same for spliters. | |
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Hayward
K A R - 1 2 0 C
Premium
join:2000-07-13
Key West, FL
1 edit | Because it in their propietary interest it shouldn't JUST MAYBE?
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)
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BB User
@rr.com
| What are your modem signal levels WITHOUT the amp? How many outputs does the amp have? What is the gain of the amp?
More then likely installation of the amp is pushing the signal levels out of acceptable limits, making either the downstream signal too high, the upstream signal too high, or the SNR too low. | |
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 | NimNams
join:2009-06-23
| Re: [Cable] Why won't my drop amp work with my cable modem? My modem signals are...
DOWNSTREAM:
Frequency - 615000000 Hz Locked
Signal to Noise Ratio - 37 dB
Power Level - -6 dBmV
UPSTREAM:
Channel ID - 1
Frequency - 31296000 Hz Ranged
Power Level - 55 dBmV
The amp has four outputs. Its gain is 15 dB 53-1000MHz.
If what you think is true, is there a way to bring the signal levels back to the right limits?
It's also been suggested to me that I get a satellite splitter. Does anyone know if that's a valid solution?
Telcoguru, thank you for the diagram, but I think that's more for hooking it up to its power source. | |
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NoVA_CoxUser
Stand back from the cage -- The RF bites
Premium
join:2004-07-06
Alexandria, VA
 ·Cox HSI
4 edits | Re: [Cable] Why won't my drop amp work with my cable modem? said by NimNams  :UPSTREAM: Channel ID - 1 Frequency - 31296000 Hz Ranged Power Level - 55 dBmV There's your problem!
Your modem is at max transmit already.
You stated that your amp is a "passive" return. That means it doesn't amplify your upstream (a.k.a. "return")
Since the amp has four outputs ... it'll actually add about 7 db of attenuation (think restriction) to your upstream and knock you offline completely.
The solution is to call your cableco and get your signal levels correct to begin with. | |
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| | | NimNams
join:2009-06-23 | Re: [Cable] Why won't my drop amp work with my cable modem? I see...so, what should I be saying to them? Do I ask for a weaker signal?
Thank you!! | |
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NoVA_CoxUser
Stand back from the cage -- The RF bites
Premium
join:2004-07-06
Alexandria, VA
·Cox HSI
3 edits | Re: [Cable] Why won't my drop amp work with my cable modem? Tell them:
1) That you're having trouble maintining your connection
2) That your upstream power level is 55 db which you suspect might be cauing some of the problems.
They will then need to troubleshoot to determine why your modem is "shouting" to be heard. It's most-likely somewhere in the RF cabling between your modem and your neighborhood fiber node.
You should normally see an upstream power level below 50 db. | |
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Hayward
K A R - 1 2 0 C
Premium
join:2000-07-13
Key West, FL
2 edits | said by NimNams :I have an SVi drop amp with 5-42MHz passive return. From everything I've read, this should work with my Rogers cable modem (it's a Motorola SB5100). However, while the modem can receive a signal, it doesn't send. What am I doing wrong? Did I get the wrong drop amp? Thanks! Sounds like the amp is not bidirectional, which internet must be. (Poosibly even a splitter that isn't in between too.
If you do any of it do you have any problem via remote ordering PPV or other interactive cable box stiff... and again is there maybe an old splitter infront of the modem and not the cable box.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)
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NSA_CIA
@charter.com
| Re: [Cable] Why won't my drop amp work with my cable modem? said by Hayward :Sounds like the amp is not bidirectional, which internet must be. (Poosibly even a splitter that isn't in between too. Like NoVA_CoxUser said...
The amp is bidirectional (i.e. passes signal in both directions) HOWEVER it doesn't amplify the return signal. In addition to not amplifying the return, it's built in 4-way splitter means it has 7 dB of return attenuation. | |
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egnlsn
Premium
join:2003-09-26
Salt Lake City, UT | Connect your cable modem before the amp utilizing a 2-way splitter.
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CIAO! | |
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| pettyfog
join:2009-07-28
|  Re: [Cable] Why won't my drop amp work with my cable modem?
said by egnlsn :Connect your cable modem before the amp utilizing a 2-way splitter. There ya go. This is pretty much a basic practice. Even if you dont use an AMP, you should do the same.. ie, install a quality 2-way splitter ahead of the TV distribution splitter. Saves headaches later on.
Alternatively, look outside for a demarcation box. If you look at your 'customer access side' on the premise demarc box, you will probably find a splitter already installed. Using a port on that will save you the loss to TV signal incurred by the '2-way'. | |
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needforspeed59
Cruise Ship Just Passing Through
join:2001-05-02
Glendale, AZ
| If possible, have Rodgers run a separate line (sometimes refered to as a "home run") directly to the cable modem. The less splitters and amps, the better. As suggested above, Cox split mine at the box outside so I have one line dedicated to the cable modem. That took care of my signal problem and they installed an amp for the TV side.
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Great success! High five! | |
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