Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Cable TV

Waiting for the cable guy. Appointment is set up for between 1 PM and 5 PM.

Cable TV and internet service has always been spotty. Frequently, the internet will simply go away for no apparent reason only to start back up later. Outages are typically measured in hours.

2 weekends ago, however, the internet went out. Returned the next day. Then out again for days. Back on Friday evening. Out again Saturday till Sunday afternoon. In addition, the TV signal basically went away for the lower numbered channels and the rest were very fuzzy or with snow or with overlapping signals (2 channels in 1).

Sunday, suddenly, everything cleared up. But - I'm still keeping the appointment. I'd like the problem to get diagnosed and fixed.

Of course, each time I call, they try to imply that the problem must be with my wireless modem / router. In fact, I replaced the modem / router last fall. Still having the same intermittent problems.

This time when I called, the service technician did a check on the cable signal strength and noted that it has a history of dropping strength.

Hopefully the service contractor will be sharp and able to diagnose the problem.

SiteAdvisor

Speaking of the internet, thank you to my nephew, ADH, for letting me know about Siteadvisor. I've installed it and totally appreciate the testing, screening and alerts to iffy web sites.

Addendum - 5 PM

Cable guy arrived around 3 PM. He's just finishing up. The "acceptable" signal range should be between -12 and +12. I don't know what the unit of measurement is. The higher the better. Per the technician, at the lower end - you're still going to have a lot of problems. My signal was measuring at -10.

The solution was to run a dedicated line to the modem and rerouting the other lines to the TV's eliminating splitters and such.

Already, the signal is up to around 0.

He suspects that due to the long run from the house to the connector box up the street, that there's a lot of signal loss and possibly a poor performing amplifier in the box at the street. He's changing that out now to boost the signal even further.

But - he says jus by getting up from a -10 to 0, I shouldn't have any problems.

Addendum Redux

Changed out an amplifier at the street - signal is now +1.3 dbMv.

Shouldn't have any problems. If so, call and specifically request him, as he will know that the house wiring is good to go and that he might need to look further up the line if there are further problems.

Answering Machine

Answering machine again decided to quit working today.

Sigh.