cobalt135
join:2008-06-07
Springfield, OH
| New drop installed, now what?
A little background info. We were having a heck of a time with our digital cable and Roadrunner dropping out. The modem levels fluctuated between 25-32dB SNR, downstream power averaged about -12.5 and rarely got above -10.0dBmV. Upstream power ranged from 46 to 55dBmV. Time Warner came out and said it was our drop and said it was way longer than it needed to be (went around to back of house, ped. is in the front. Probibally 100ft. longer. I forgot to look if it was RG59 or RG6. Anyway, they threw a RG6 drop down across the front yard (which they threw out and used something else when they came to bury, see pics attached) and put in a box then ran another RG6 line from the ground block to the 2-way that has one leg going to the modem, and the other feeding a 3-way (3.5x2 and a 7dB). This split is as follows:
RG59 to the Digital box
RG59 to a TV just to get the basic channels that don't require a box
RG6 to a TV that is the same as above one.
All these lines that leave the splitters, including the one that leaves the 2-way to the modem are about 28' longer than the need to be. Would it be worthwhile to shorten up the all these lines and replace the RG59 ones with RG6? In other words would the power levels and SNR get any better? Since the new drop was installed I now get:
SNR between 33-35.3
Downstream power between -5.2 and +2
Upstream power from 41.5 to 46.5
I checked the signals at the ground block outside after the new drop and got:
SNR 35.6
Power +5.5
Upstream Power 38.5
I have attached some photos, I am assuming that is a RG11 drop??
Thanks for any advice! |
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Chigurh
@rr.com | Yes, RG11 drop.
SNR a little low, what did you use for lvl readings?
Go for RG6 throughout the house, get ride of RG59.
Are you sure that your 3-way splitter is (3.5x2 and a 7db) usually its (3.5 and 2x7db loss). |
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cobalt135
join:2008-06-07
Springfield, OH
| Got those level readings from SB5101 modem. I think I typo'd that 3 way splitter which was supposed to read 2 - 7dB outputs. The UPS guy is dropping off some RG6 and some new splitters tomorrow. I had decided to just order the stuff, make some shorter cable to get rid of the currently excessive length, and replace the RG59 and install new splitters in the process. Maybe that will help the SNR as well? |
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Anonresponse
@comcast.net
| SNR is okay, less than 30 is usually considered low. the norm is about 32. 33 to 35 looks good.
Signal Attenuation from your modem look great.
My real question is.. are you still having a problem? it looks to me the new drop / wiring did the trick already. |
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CableGei
Premium
join:2004-05-27
Vandalia, OH
 ·tw telecom
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to cobalt135
Since you have ordered new cable and splitters, I'll assume you're going to go forward with rewiring some of your outlets.
If you don't have the proper tools to prepare the cable for fittings and properly attach the fittings, you may do yourself more harm than good. Make sure your connections are tight when you connect your ouetlets to your splitter.
It's definatelly preferred that your RG59 outlets be replaced with RG6, but whether or not you'll see an improvement depends on wheather or not you have a problem to start with. Your digital cable box would probably appreciate having a new RG6 outlet, but you may notice no difference on your standard cable ready TVs.
The signal strength won't change that much on your analog channels, but the RG6 will probably have better shielding to block out ingress.
In the future, stop a TWC tech when you see one and they'll probably be happy to give you cable and splitters if you want to run it yourself.
It looks like the new drop should have taken care of your problem. Your signal strength, SNR, and return signal are all fine. |
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