I lost teh internets two days ago, figured it was my 10 year old modem based on what tech support told me. Just went and swapped it out with the latest and greatest and no dice. When I replaced my septic in late October we knowingly dug through the line, and I spliced a new section in before backfill with the $$$ compression terminals and a heatshrink over the top on each end. I've done it several times before without issue. The coax comes up the side of the house and then splits off in 3 directions. I'm pretty dumb when it comes to this stuff and don't really know how it all works on that level. I'm used to primary distribution cable that can be rung with a jumper between the bleeds and conductor on one end and meter on the other. I assume this is the same if I can find the other end? Is there any way to test the cable to see if I'm getting a "internet signal" from the cable at the house?
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Testing coax
- Thread starter AK_F250
- Start date
dave_dj1
Red Skull Member
I made up a continuity tester years ago when you could buy stuff at radio shack. I would remove the splitter, test to see if you have a short between the two conductors. The tester I made has an audible tone with many adapters built into it like male and female coax, jumpers and phone plug.
kf4zht
Red Skull Member
- Joined
- May 20, 2020
- Member Number
- 561
- Messages
- 1,068
Can you log into the modem? If you see a ton of crc errors its a dirty line, likely water intrusion. You can also get a basic coax tester/toner at home debt.
Fully testing coax takes more expensive equipment. It would be cheaper to just get a new cable buried
Fully testing coax takes more expensive equipment. It would be cheaper to just get a new cable buried
Fishbone333
Red Stiff Member
Yeah just screw the tester on on end and test the resistance on the other end. Then when you find out it's fucked, bury another line. 
Ksand
Red Skull Member
You can test it with ohms
Wheelin66bronco
Pure Blood
Yeah just screw the tester on on end and test the resistance on the other end. Then when you find out it's fucked, bury another line.
This^^
May be bad coming off the providers node, but rule your shit out first.
KarlVP
Not Sure
Coax should ring out at 75ohms. Anything higher and the cable is fucked.
KarlVP
Not Sure
Any tech worth their salt will have one of these. https://www.sencoredirect.com/colle.../products/copy-of-sat-catv-tv-signal-analyzer
Maybe flag down your local cable tech and buy them a case of beer for diagnosis?
When I did CATV stuff on the ships, we used the older versions of them.
You can get a "signal analyzer" at a big box store for about $80. It will tell the average homeowner what the problems are.
If you do get a signal tester, you need AT LEAST 8db signal in a 75ohm line for your signal to get through.
Maybe flag down your local cable tech and buy them a case of beer for diagnosis?
When I did CATV stuff on the ships, we used the older versions of them.
You can get a "signal analyzer" at a big box store for about $80. It will tell the average homeowner what the problems are.
If you do get a signal tester, you need AT LEAST 8db signal in a 75ohm line for your signal to get through.
Fishbone333
Red Stiff Member
That's what I do, my best bud is a cable tech. He gave me a set of the end cap tester things. They're always willing to help out around here anyway.