cable modem signal help

dauss · 09-17-2003, 01:12 PM

I live in an apartment complex and the coax cable is split into 6 right now. a tech guy from my ISP came to look at it and says that the these numbers for something are too low. I don't remember the name, but the numbers were like 58 and -25. Then I removed the splitter and so the cable is split into 5 and it dropped by 4 in both catergories. Supposedly the performance will be better if it wasn't split so many times, but they could fox it for like $60 or I could get a coax amplifier/booster. Anyone know if they work good, how much they are, and where to get one.

Beemer · 09-18-2003, 12:40 AM

Find where the cable enters your apartment and put a 2 way , 3.5 db on it. B&G's are the best. They have the best radiation blocking as well.
Go to the installers yard in the morning and have an installer make you a short 6" cable. They'll do it gladly. One leg for your Internet and one leg for your entertainment. Put the short cable on one of the connections of the 2 way and put a 4 way splitter on the end to hook your entertainment to.

Cheers!

dauss · 09-18-2003, 04:33 PM

Heres the problem. Its already split into 5 ways. One for the den, and 1 in each of the 4 separate rooms.

S.D.Willie · 09-18-2003, 04:50 PM

the signal was too weak in my basement apt. so i had them run a seperate line but that was at least 3 years ago i think. have you thought of asking about that? maybe they wouldnt charge you since youll be/or are paying for a service anyhow.

Beemer · 09-18-2003, 05:27 PM

Radio Shack has the boosters.

Is there anywhere in your apartment the cable comes in as a single line?

Can you find this 5 way splitter?

Is there an IPB box on the outside of your apartment where the cable enters the building?

Is this a large apartment complex that has a main Electrical Room that houses the cable connection main for the entire building?

Give me more detail on the cable system in your building and I might be able to help you out. I was an installer for a while trained by Shaw Communications. You will ahve to be my eyes and ears.

Cheers!

Beemer · 09-18-2003, 05:54 PM

Here's a shot of the cable setup. This is what they would do for you if you asked to have a separate line. You should have had a separate line installed in the first place. That is #1 priority for an installer. If you aren't responsible for hooking up all your cables, and the cable company did it for you, complain! It should have been done right the first time. The picture shows the correct way of installing entertainment and cable Internet on one feed. One feed is all you usually get to your dwelling.

Cheers!

dauss · 09-19-2003, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Is there anywhere in your apartment the cable comes in as a single line?

no

Quote:

Is there an IPB box on the outside of your apartment where the cable enters the building?

I don't know. There are at least a dozen buildings. Each building has two halves, and each halves have 3 floors. I have no idea where to look for a cable

Quote:

Is this a large apartment complex that has a main Electrical Room that houses the cable connection main for the entire building?

I just live here. The cable company said they could fix it by doing something(never went into specifics) but would cost about $50. Would getting a signal booster just for my cable modem work as well?

Beemer · 09-19-2003, 01:58 PM

In many cases the signal booster can actually create to much of a signal. It's hit and miss if it will actually work the way you hope.

Another question. Is there a basement in your apartment? If there is you will probably find where the cable comes in near your elecrtrical panel.

Where is the 5 way splitter located?

Cheers!