HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard time getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems are only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need to be re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys. Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at least 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys. Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet: 0) The tester is a reliable quality device. 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use shielded CAT5 to keep RFI down. 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, beyond a simple pass/fail LED. 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :) Additional requirement suggestions welcome. --Bart
Bart, Agree with the proposal, I bring my personal device when ever doing installs. Question: does such a device exist which meets all your requirements? Or is that just a magical wish list? Thanks Kenny On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:37 PM Bart Kus <me@bartk.us> wrote:
HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard time getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems are only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need to be re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys.
Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at least 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys.
Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet:
0) The tester is a reliable quality device. 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use shielded CAT5 to keep RFI down. 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, beyond a simple pass/fail LED. 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :)
Additional requirement suggestions welcome.
--Bart
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
I did no research, just threw together dreams & desires. I'm aware there are options from like $30 to $2000, but don't have time to properly research the market. --Bart On 5/29/2020 12:42 PM, Kenny Richards wrote:
Bart,
Agree with the proposal, I bring my personal device when ever doing installs.
Question: does such a device exist which meets all your requirements? Or is that just a magical wish list?
Thanks Kenny
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:37 PM Bart Kus <me@bartk.us <mailto:me@bartk.us>> wrote:
HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard time getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems are only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need to be re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys.
Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at least 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys.
Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet:
0) The tester is a reliable quality device. 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use shielded CAT5 to keep RFI down. 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, beyond a simple pass/fail LED. 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :)
Additional requirement suggestions welcome.
--Bart
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org <mailto:PSDR@hamwan.org> http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
Maybe get Fluke to donate? Anybody have connections or work for them? Just a thought. Steve N0FPF On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:37 PM Bart Kus <me@bartk.us> wrote:
HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard time getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems are only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need to be re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys.
Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at least 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys.
Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet:
0) The tester is a reliable quality device. 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use shielded CAT5 to keep RFI down. 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, beyond a simple pass/fail LED. 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :)
Additional requirement suggestions welcome.
--Bart
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
-- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there.
Yes such a device does exist, they are going to be $$, a fluke or lantech unit will be well north of $1000.00 per test setup. STP make the options less readily available. You certainly want something more involved than a simple cable map function. If STP can be removed from the must-have list, then https://pockethernet.com/ is a decent value proposition On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:51 PM Steve <stevewa206@gmail.com> wrote:
Maybe get Fluke to donate? Anybody have connections or work for them?
Just a thought.
Steve N0FPF
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:37 PM Bart Kus <me@bartk.us> wrote:
HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard time getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems are only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need to be re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys.
Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at least 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys.
Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet:
0) The tester is a reliable quality device. 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use shielded CAT5 to keep RFI down. 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, beyond a simple pass/fail LED. 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :)
Additional requirement suggestions welcome.
--Bart
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
-- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there. _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
Darcy - For those of us not in the know, what does "STP" stand for? I'm guessing it has todo with testing the shield termination? (Google failed me trying to look it up) Thanks Kenny On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:07 PM Darcy Buskermolen <darcyb@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes such a device does exist, they are going to be $$, a fluke or lantech unit will be well north of $1000.00 per test setup. STP make the options less readily available. You certainly want something more involved than a simple cable map function.
If STP can be removed from the must-have list, then https://pockethernet.com/ is a decent value proposition
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:51 PM Steve <stevewa206@gmail.com> wrote:
Maybe get Fluke to donate? Anybody have connections or work for them?
Just a thought.
Steve N0FPF
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:37 PM Bart Kus <me@bartk.us> wrote:
HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard time getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems are only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need to be re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys.
Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at least 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys.
Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet:
0) The tester is a reliable quality device. 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use shielded CAT5 to keep RFI down. 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, beyond a simple pass/fail LED. 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :)
Additional requirement suggestions welcome.
--Bart
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
-- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there. _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
STP = Shielded Twisted Pair Dana Dana Hanford, Jr., CPMR, KC7SDD WA APCO-NENA Commercial Representative Vice President The Sales Group, inc. MANUFACTURERS REPRESENTATIVES 7641 NE North Street Bainbridge Island, WA 98110-1057 O: (206) 842-9076 C: (206) 660-7147 www.thesalesgroup.com<http://www.thesalesgroup.com/> Proud Member of: [cid:image002.jpg@01D635BB.79561750] From: PSDR <psdr-bounces@hamwan.org> On Behalf Of Kenny Richards Sent: Friday, May 29, 2020 1:15 PM To: Puget Sound Data Ring <psdr@hamwan.org> Subject: Re: [HamWAN PSDR] CAT5 cable tester Darcy - For those of us not in the know, what does "STP" stand for? I'm guessing it has todo with testing the shield termination? (Google failed me trying to look it up) Thanks Kenny On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:07 PM Darcy Buskermolen <darcyb@gmail.com<mailto:darcyb@gmail.com>> wrote: Yes such a device does exist, they are going to be $$, a fluke or lantech unit will be well north of $1000.00 per test setup. STP make the options less readily available. You certainly want something more involved than a simple cable map function. If STP can be removed from the must-have list, then https://pockethernet.com/ is a decent value proposition On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:51 PM Steve <stevewa206@gmail.com<mailto:stevewa206@gmail.com>> wrote: Maybe get Fluke to donate? Anybody have connections or work for them? Just a thought. Steve N0FPF On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:37 PM Bart Kus <me@bartk.us<mailto:me@bartk.us>> wrote: HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard time getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems are only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need to be re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys. Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at least 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys. Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet: 0) The tester is a reliable quality device. 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use shielded CAT5 to keep RFI down. 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, beyond a simple pass/fail LED. 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :) Additional requirement suggestions welcome. --Bart _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org<mailto:PSDR@hamwan.org> http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr -- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there. _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org<mailto:PSDR@hamwan.org> http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org<mailto:PSDR@hamwan.org> http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
Correct, STP = Shielded Twisted Pair, vs UTP un-shielded twisted pair, which is what you normally see in everyday ethernet cable. On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:15 PM Kenny Richards <richark@gmail.com> wrote:
Darcy - For those of us not in the know, what does "STP" stand for? I'm guessing it has todo with testing the shield termination? (Google failed me trying to look it up)
Thanks Kenny
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:07 PM Darcy Buskermolen <darcyb@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes such a device does exist, they are going to be $$, a fluke or lantech unit will be well north of $1000.00 per test setup. STP make the options less readily available. You certainly want something more involved than a simple cable map function.
If STP can be removed from the must-have list, then https://pockethernet.com/ is a decent value proposition
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:51 PM Steve <stevewa206@gmail.com> wrote:
Maybe get Fluke to donate? Anybody have connections or work for them?
Just a thought.
Steve N0FPF
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:37 PM Bart Kus <me@bartk.us> wrote:
HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard time getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems are only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need to be re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys.
Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at least 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys.
Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet:
0) The tester is a reliable quality device. 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use shielded CAT5 to keep RFI down. 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, beyond a simple pass/fail LED. 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :)
Additional requirement suggestions welcome.
--Bart
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
-- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there. _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
Also, when I had to use shielded cable....buying tested pre terminated is also a good way to go if you know the distance and have the weather proof shells that can accommodate it..... sometimes can’t be done. Steve On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:18 PM Darcy Buskermolen <darcyb@gmail.com> wrote:
Correct, STP = Shielded Twisted Pair, vs UTP un-shielded twisted pair, which is what you normally see in everyday ethernet cable.
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:15 PM Kenny Richards <richark@gmail.com> wrote:
Darcy - For those of us not in the know, what does "STP" stand for? I'm guessing it has todo with testing the shield termination? (Google failed me trying to look it up)
Thanks Kenny
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:07 PM Darcy Buskermolen <darcyb@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes such a device does exist, they are going to be $$, a fluke or lantech unit will be well north of $1000.00 per test setup. STP make the options less readily available. You certainly want something more involved than a simple cable map function.
If STP can be removed from the must-have list, then https://pockethernet.com/ is a decent value proposition
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:51 PM Steve <stevewa206@gmail.com> wrote:
Maybe get Fluke to donate? Anybody have connections or work for them?
Just a thought.
Steve N0FPF
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:37 PM Bart Kus <me@bartk.us> wrote:
HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard time getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems are only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need to be re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys.
Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at least 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys.
Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet:
0) The tester is a reliable quality device. 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use shielded CAT5 to keep RFI down. 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, beyond a simple pass/fail LED. 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :)
Additional requirement suggestions welcome.
--Bart
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
-- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there. _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
-- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there.
I made a simple one the other day. It can do LF/MF(not UHF+) style TDF if you push it in code. That's how I found the wires were continuous but paired wrong in one cable. See http://www.kg7bhp.org/2020/05/simple-tdr.html One could expand on that. I just threw it together after a bit. There are some mods we could do to test the shielding for common mode currents. But it the package would need to be cleaned up rather than in breadboard form. On Fri, May 29, 2020, 1:21 PM Steve <stevewa206@gmail.com> wrote:
Also, when I had to use shielded cable....buying tested pre terminated is also a good way to go if you know the distance and have the weather proof shells that can accommodate it..... sometimes can’t be done.
Steve
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:18 PM Darcy Buskermolen <darcyb@gmail.com> wrote:
Correct, STP = Shielded Twisted Pair, vs UTP un-shielded twisted pair, which is what you normally see in everyday ethernet cable.
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:15 PM Kenny Richards <richark@gmail.com> wrote:
Darcy - For those of us not in the know, what does "STP" stand for? I'm guessing it has todo with testing the shield termination? (Google failed me trying to look it up)
Thanks Kenny
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:07 PM Darcy Buskermolen <darcyb@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes such a device does exist, they are going to be $$, a fluke or lantech unit will be well north of $1000.00 per test setup. STP make the options less readily available. You certainly want something more involved than a simple cable map function.
If STP can be removed from the must-have list, then https://pockethernet.com/ is a decent value proposition
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:51 PM Steve <stevewa206@gmail.com> wrote:
Maybe get Fluke to donate? Anybody have connections or work for them?
Just a thought.
Steve N0FPF
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:37 PM Bart Kus <me@bartk.us> wrote:
HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard time getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems are only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need to be re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys.
Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at least 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys.
Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet:
0) The tester is a reliable quality device. 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use shielded CAT5 to keep RFI down. 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, beyond a simple pass/fail LED. 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :)
Additional requirement suggestions welcome.
--Bart
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
-- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there. _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
-- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there. _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
BTW I learned a long time ago the reason why tdrs are so expensive is because of the cost of certification of each device. (think human hours) On Fri, May 29, 2020, 1:34 PM Aaron Spangler <aaron777@gmail.com> wrote:
I made a simple one the other day. It can do LF/MF(not UHF+) style TDF if you push it in code. That's how I found the wires were continuous but paired wrong in one cable. See http://www.kg7bhp.org/2020/05/simple-tdr.html
One could expand on that. I just threw it together after a bit. There are some mods we could do to test the shielding for common mode currents. But it the package would need to be cleaned up rather than in breadboard form.
On Fri, May 29, 2020, 1:21 PM Steve <stevewa206@gmail.com> wrote:
Also, when I had to use shielded cable....buying tested pre terminated is also a good way to go if you know the distance and have the weather proof shells that can accommodate it..... sometimes can’t be done.
Steve
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:18 PM Darcy Buskermolen <darcyb@gmail.com> wrote:
Correct, STP = Shielded Twisted Pair, vs UTP un-shielded twisted pair, which is what you normally see in everyday ethernet cable.
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:15 PM Kenny Richards <richark@gmail.com> wrote:
Darcy - For those of us not in the know, what does "STP" stand for? I'm guessing it has todo with testing the shield termination? (Google failed me trying to look it up)
Thanks Kenny
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:07 PM Darcy Buskermolen <darcyb@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes such a device does exist, they are going to be $$, a fluke or lantech unit will be well north of $1000.00 per test setup. STP make the options less readily available. You certainly want something more involved than a simple cable map function.
If STP can be removed from the must-have list, then https://pockethernet.com/ is a decent value proposition
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:51 PM Steve <stevewa206@gmail.com> wrote:
Maybe get Fluke to donate? Anybody have connections or work for them?
Just a thought.
Steve N0FPF
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:37 PM Bart Kus <me@bartk.us> wrote:
> HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, > terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard > time > getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems > are > only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need > to be > re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before > installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys. > > Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and > select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at > least > 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys. > > Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet: > > 0) The tester is a reliable quality device. > 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use > shielded > CAT5 to keep RFI down. > 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, > beyond a > simple pass/fail LED. > 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. > 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. > 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :) > > Additional requirement suggestions welcome. > > --Bart > > _______________________________________________ > PSDR mailing list > PSDR@hamwan.org > http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr > -- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there. _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
-- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there. _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
I bought one of these many years ago when I was building many custom length cables. I will swear by it, and I've never had a bad cable that tested good. https://www.flukenetworks.com/enterprise-network/network-testing/CableIQ-Qua... It's pricey, but it meets all your requirements and to boot, it's quite rugged, mine has fallen from a 12 foot ceiling joist to the concrete below, bounced once, and shows nothing but a couple scratches on one corner. -Chris On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:37 PM Aaron Spangler <aaron777@gmail.com> wrote:
BTW I learned a long time ago the reason why tdrs are so expensive is because of the cost of certification of each device. (think human hours)
On Fri, May 29, 2020, 1:34 PM Aaron Spangler <aaron777@gmail.com> wrote:
I made a simple one the other day. It can do LF/MF(not UHF+) style TDF if you push it in code. That's how I found the wires were continuous but paired wrong in one cable. See http://www.kg7bhp.org/2020/05/simple-tdr.html
One could expand on that. I just threw it together after a bit. There are some mods we could do to test the shielding for common mode currents. But it the package would need to be cleaned up rather than in breadboard form.
On Fri, May 29, 2020, 1:21 PM Steve <stevewa206@gmail.com> wrote:
Also, when I had to use shielded cable....buying tested pre terminated is also a good way to go if you know the distance and have the weather proof shells that can accommodate it..... sometimes can’t be done.
Steve
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:18 PM Darcy Buskermolen <darcyb@gmail.com> wrote:
Correct, STP = Shielded Twisted Pair, vs UTP un-shielded twisted pair, which is what you normally see in everyday ethernet cable.
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:15 PM Kenny Richards <richark@gmail.com> wrote:
Darcy - For those of us not in the know, what does "STP" stand for? I'm guessing it has todo with testing the shield termination? (Google failed me trying to look it up)
Thanks Kenny
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:07 PM Darcy Buskermolen <darcyb@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes such a device does exist, they are going to be $$, a fluke or lantech unit will be well north of $1000.00 per test setup. STP make the options less readily available. You certainly want something more involved than a simple cable map function.
If STP can be removed from the must-have list, then https://pockethernet.com/ is a decent value proposition
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:51 PM Steve <stevewa206@gmail.com> wrote:
> Maybe get Fluke to donate? Anybody have connections or work for > them? > > Just a thought. > > Steve N0FPF > > On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:37 PM Bart Kus <me@bartk.us> wrote: > >> HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, >> terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard >> time >> getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems >> are >> only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need >> to be >> re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before >> installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys. >> >> Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and >> select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at >> least >> 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys. >> >> Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet: >> >> 0) The tester is a reliable quality device. >> 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use >> shielded >> CAT5 to keep RFI down. >> 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, >> beyond a >> simple pass/fail LED. >> 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. >> 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. >> 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :) >> >> Additional requirement suggestions welcome. >> >> --Bart >> >> _______________________________________________ >> PSDR mailing list >> PSDR@hamwan.org >> http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr >> > -- > Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there. > _______________________________________________ > PSDR mailing list > PSDR@hamwan.org > http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr > _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
-- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there. _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
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yes, a Qualification tester is the right product class to be looking at, the CableIQ as referenced is a decent qualification tool, and can be found in the 1500.00 price range when shopped around for. On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:44 PM Chris Icide <chris@netgeeks.net> wrote:
I bought one of these many years ago when I was building many custom length cables. I will swear by it, and I've never had a bad cable that tested good.
https://www.flukenetworks.com/enterprise-network/network-testing/CableIQ-Qua...
It's pricey, but it meets all your requirements and to boot, it's quite rugged, mine has fallen from a 12 foot ceiling joist to the concrete below, bounced once, and shows nothing but a couple scratches on one corner.
-Chris
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:37 PM Aaron Spangler <aaron777@gmail.com> wrote:
BTW I learned a long time ago the reason why tdrs are so expensive is because of the cost of certification of each device. (think human hours)
On Fri, May 29, 2020, 1:34 PM Aaron Spangler <aaron777@gmail.com> wrote:
I made a simple one the other day. It can do LF/MF(not UHF+) style TDF if you push it in code. That's how I found the wires were continuous but paired wrong in one cable. See http://www.kg7bhp.org/2020/05/simple-tdr.html
One could expand on that. I just threw it together after a bit. There are some mods we could do to test the shielding for common mode currents. But it the package would need to be cleaned up rather than in breadboard form.
On Fri, May 29, 2020, 1:21 PM Steve <stevewa206@gmail.com> wrote:
Also, when I had to use shielded cable....buying tested pre terminated is also a good way to go if you know the distance and have the weather proof shells that can accommodate it..... sometimes can’t be done.
Steve
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:18 PM Darcy Buskermolen <darcyb@gmail.com> wrote:
Correct, STP = Shielded Twisted Pair, vs UTP un-shielded twisted pair, which is what you normally see in everyday ethernet cable.
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:15 PM Kenny Richards <richark@gmail.com> wrote:
Darcy - For those of us not in the know, what does "STP" stand for? I'm guessing it has todo with testing the shield termination? (Google failed me trying to look it up)
Thanks Kenny
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:07 PM Darcy Buskermolen <darcyb@gmail.com> wrote:
> Yes such a device does exist, they are going to be $$, a fluke or > lantech unit will be well north of $1000.00 per test setup. STP make the > options less readily available. You certainly want something more involved > than a simple cable map function. > > If STP can be removed from the must-have list, then > https://pockethernet.com/ is a decent value proposition > > On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:51 PM Steve <stevewa206@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Maybe get Fluke to donate? Anybody have connections or work for >> them? >> >> Just a thought. >> >> Steve N0FPF >> >> On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:37 PM Bart Kus <me@bartk.us> wrote: >> >>> HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, >>> terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard >>> time >>> getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems >>> are >>> only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need >>> to be >>> re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before >>> installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys. >>> >>> Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and >>> select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at >>> least >>> 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys. >>> >>> Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet: >>> >>> 0) The tester is a reliable quality device. >>> 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use >>> shielded >>> CAT5 to keep RFI down. >>> 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, >>> beyond a >>> simple pass/fail LED. >>> 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. >>> 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. >>> 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :) >>> >>> Additional requirement suggestions welcome. >>> >>> --Bart >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> PSDR mailing list >>> PSDR@hamwan.org >>> http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr >>> >> -- >> Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there. >> _______________________________________________ >> PSDR mailing list >> PSDR@hamwan.org >> http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr >> > _______________________________________________ > PSDR mailing list > PSDR@hamwan.org > http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr > _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
-- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there. _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
I have read about that and it is decent. Steve N0FPF On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 1:07 PM Darcy Buskermolen <darcyb@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes such a device does exist, they are going to be $$, a fluke or lantech unit will be well north of $1000.00 per test setup. STP make the options less readily available. You certainly want something more involved than a simple cable map function.
If STP can be removed from the must-have list, then https://pockethernet.com/ is a decent value proposition
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:51 PM Steve <stevewa206@gmail.com> wrote:
Maybe get Fluke to donate? Anybody have connections or work for them?
Just a thought.
Steve N0FPF
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 12:37 PM Bart Kus <me@bartk.us> wrote:
HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard time getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems are only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need to be re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys.
Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at least 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys.
Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet:
0) The tester is a reliable quality device. 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use shielded CAT5 to keep RFI down. 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, beyond a simple pass/fail LED. 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :)
Additional requirement suggestions welcome.
--Bart
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
-- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there. _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
-- Pardon the brevity, sent from a mobile device. So there.
Bart, I'm willing to kick in some extra $$ to help pay for a cable qual tester. John kx7jm@jmit.com ---- On Fri, 29 May 2020 12:37:49 -0700 Bart Kus <me@bartk.us> wrote ---- HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard time getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems are only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need to be re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys. Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at least 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys. Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet: 0) The tester is a reliable quality device. 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use shielded CAT5 to keep RFI down. 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, beyond a simple pass/fail LED. 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :) Additional requirement suggestions welcome. --Bart _______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list mailto:PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
On the lower end, Klein Tools has some nice units. This one will determine cable length which can be really useful for us: Klein Tools VDV501-851 - Scout Pro 3 Tester Starter Kit <https://www.tequipment.net/Klein-Tools/VDV501-851/Tool-Kits/?Source=googleshopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw5cL2BRASEiwAENqAPl7ajlnrv_Vtx_hHG3HiLNqkzpddxUON8u__tS8yy6r-PRe-YGIkYBoCyecQAvD_BwE> and we could easily afford having a couple of these in our inventory. The cable tracing is a nice added benefit. They make a range of testers in this area. I have used one once and it seemed well built (which is not a surprise from Klein). -Doug- On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 2:33 PM John C. Miller <kx7jm@jmit.com> wrote:
Bart,
I'm willing to kick in some extra $$ to help pay for a cable qual tester.
John kx7jm@jmit.com
---- On Fri, 29 May 2020 12:37:49 -0700 *Bart Kus <me@bartk.us <me@bartk.us>>* wrote ----
HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard time getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems are only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need to be re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys.
Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at least 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys.
Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet:
0) The tester is a reliable quality device. 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use shielded CAT5 to keep RFI down. 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, beyond a simple pass/fail LED. 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :)
Additional requirement suggestions welcome.
--Bart
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
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This is the newer version of the one I bought..... On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 4:09 PM Doug Kingston <dpk@randomnotes.org> wrote:
On the lower end, Klein Tools has some nice units. This one will determine cable length which can be really useful for us: Klein Tools VDV501-851 - Scout Pro 3 Tester Starter Kit <https://www.tequipment.net/Klein-Tools/VDV501-851/Tool-Kits/?Source=googleshopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw5cL2BRASEiwAENqAPl7ajlnrv_Vtx_hHG3HiLNqkzpddxUON8u__tS8yy6r-PRe-YGIkYBoCyecQAvD_BwE> and we could easily afford having a couple of these in our inventory. The cable tracing is a nice added benefit. They make a range of testers in this area. I have used one once and it seemed well built (which is not a surprise from Klein).
-Doug-
On Fri, May 29, 2020 at 2:33 PM John C. Miller <kx7jm@jmit.com> wrote:
Bart,
I'm willing to kick in some extra $$ to help pay for a cable qual tester.
John kx7jm@jmit.com
---- On Fri, 29 May 2020 12:37:49 -0700 *Bart Kus <me@bartk.us <me@bartk.us>>* wrote ----
HamWAN is in the business of deploying lots of long CAT5 cables, terminated by amateurs, in remote locations. We often have a hard time getting the terminations right. In the worst cases, the problems are only discovered once the cables are installed on a tower, and need to be re-terminated up there. A method of testing the cables before installing them would save us headaches and speed up deploys.
Can someone volunteer to lead an effort to research the market and select an appropriate cable tester? HamWAN would then purchase at least 2 of these, and keep them with folks who are doing site deploys.
Here are some requirements I'd like the tester to meet:
0) The tester is a reliable quality device. 1) Ability to detect proper shield termination, since we use shielded CAT5 to keep RFI down. 2) Ability to report performance characteristics of the cable, beyond a simple pass/fail LED. 3) Ability to operate in rainy conditions. 4) Battery powered, preferably rechargeable. 5) UI friendly to color-blind people. :)
Additional requirement suggestions welcome.
--Bart
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
_______________________________________________ PSDR mailing list PSDR@hamwan.org http://mail.hamwan.net/mailman/listinfo/psdr
participants (9)
-
Aaron Spangler -
Bart Kus -
Chris Icide -
Dana Hanford -
Darcy Buskermolen -
Doug Kingston -
John C. Miller -
Kenny Richards -
Steve