Cable Modem, Weak Signal Coming In?

[PyROTech]

i dont have anything to test the signal coming in but, based on number of splitters used i need a way to clean things up b/c on the last legs things wont connect. (clean the clutter, not the line). All splitters are same cut down.

So i basically have it this way/still attaching the parts....

incoming>3way splitter

1)home phone

2)cable modem

3)to the next level splitter

>3way splitter

1)main tv (mains are the ones i watch the most)

2)second main tv

3)to the next level splitter

at this point everything has gone to shit.

i looked up on google some posts on splitters and amps, but im confused on if the amp should go right before the first splitter or on the second one. Or should i be using something else for this?

[Serge]

Check online to see if you can get into the service menu or terminal of your modem. This will give you signal information (db, SNR, etc).

You may also want to ask on dslreports.com forum: http://www.dslreports.com/forums/all

[Che'_Moderator]

Your gain and attenuation is totally different on rj11 vs coax. USN is also not the same. Best bet is call the peckerwoods and have them test to the demarc. Thats all you need to know. If the signals crap its probably the ground.

[Pops Racer]

Cabling should be as follows:

Cable into 2 way splitter, one leg of splitter goes to modem. You have a separate modem for phone and network? Then 3-way for you. Some 3 ways have a leg that is a lower drop than the other 2, if so then send that one to the amplifier.

Other splitter leg should go to cable TV distribution or amplifier then to rest of splitters.

Never amp signal to modem. Amp before splitter to TVs.

You should be 0 to -5 dB at the demarc. I dont use multiple splitters. I use one 8 port splitter, usually gives me -11 dB drop at each port, Unused ports get a 75 ohm termination to provide balance and leakage control. Each coax crimp is -1 dB, as is every 100 ft of cable. So assume -5 dB at demarc amped to +15 dB, then -11 dB from the splitter gets you near target of 0 dB. Crimp type, cable kinks, overly tight cable staples, proximity to high voltage(120v ac), fluorescent lighting, can and will effect signal.

RG59 blows, if you dont have RG6, your losing signal.

If you are + dB at the modem you may need attenuation.

Like Chuck says, a good ground helps, and protects equipment.

If you dont have 0dB from the street its on the cable company to make it so.

And dump the DSL already, if you have it, jeez.

[PyROTech]

im on the hook for all cabling for miles outside the house so if its outside im shit out of luck b/c all of its under ground under private paved roads b/c otherwise it has to go through large properties that i dont own. Only thing i can work with for the money is inside the house.

Ill get them to test things out to see if im fine up until the inside. Im still betting its an issue with alot of splitters, i dont know the cable used originally in the walls, from 1991 roughly. thanks for the replies, i appreciate it.

edited part: the ground for outside, can you explain this? the box outside is pretty simple, comes out of ground and then has a small stand, then my line is plugged into that... thats what i can remember.

[Che'_Moderator]

Dish

[PyROTech]

Dish

since not all of us are the dos equis man when it comes to life and how you speak, how about you explain. Are you implying I use sat service other than cable?

[Che'_Moderator]

I am. Get Dish or direct. Clamp to your electrical box and the 2 rg6 cables and you are done. I like Dish better but I think Direct has its birds over Canada so they may be better for you.

[TRACStar]

Pops is absolutely correct, and make sure all of your splitters are at least 0/5-1000mhz. Older splitters will wreak havoc on digital boxes.

As he said though an uneven 3-way first feeding modem/phone/and uneven leg to boxes is the way to go. Try without the amp first and see what you get. Actually your provider should come in and try to fix your issues.

[blazen244]

What kind on modem do you have, some modems you can enter an IP address to see the vitals for the modem? Like before mentioned it helps to have the device off of the first split. RG59 is good if it's the good quad shielded cable the lost should be about the same for 56 cable depending on how far you device is from D-Marc.

Dish

And then the wind blows and you don't have anything. :)

[Serge]

Pops is absolutely correct, and make sure all of your splitters are at least 0/5-1000mhz. Older splitters will wreak havoc on digital boxes.

As he said though an uneven 3-way first feeding modem/phone/and uneven leg to boxes is the way to go. Try without the amp first and see what you get. Actually your provider should come in and try to fix your issues.

I would definitely double-check your splitters. I have used these with excellent results.

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=05&p=HFS2D&d=Holland-(HFS2D)-2Way-Splitter-(52050-Mhz)-Diode-Steered-(HFS2D)&c=Splitters&sku=

[blazen244]

When choosing a splitter two things should be considered. 1st in the frequency range the next is the port to port isolation. That splitter shown looks to be a good one. I've used ASKA, and Regal which offer a range of 5-1000 MHz and 120dB port to port isolation.

[PyROTech]

i found a splitter at audio video store, dont know if it will work but i got it and i can return it for something else... these are the specs on it (guy there told me this would work for application, not that he gave me an impression that it would)

2ghz 3way splitter

ultra low loss output 24k goldpated 5Mhz-16Hz-7.4dB 16hz-2Ghz-9.6dB

this work?

edited part: would this work for me if i put this right on the incoming line?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017I1PVC?tag=websearchengi40-20&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=B000066E6Y&creative=373489&camp=211189

[Account_Deleted_T5M]

I am. Get Dish or direct. Clamp to your electrical box and the 2 rg6 cables and you are done. I like Dish better but I think Direct has its birds over Canada so they may be better for you.

This isn't Sunny Florida, we just got slammed with 27" of snow in Jersey, i would have hated to be without internet or tv for the past 2 days

[blazen244]

i found a splitter at audio video store, dont know if it will work but i got it and i can return it for something else... these are the specs on it (guy there told me this would work for application, not that he gave me an impression that it would)

2ghz 3way splitter

ultra low loss output 24k goldpated 5Mhz-16Hz-7.4dB 16hz-2Ghz-9.6dB

this work?

edited part: would this work for me if i put this right on the incoming line?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017I1PVC?tag=websearchengi40-20&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=B000066E6Y&creative=373489&camp=211189

The amp is a bi-directional amp that will work just as long as you don't over load the modem with RF, I'd dump the splitter or any cable, connector, plug or cable that has gold connectors on it. It's the cable size and shielding properties that matters. Ideally you want only +5~-5 hitting the modem and the least amount of lost going back to the point of entry.