|
TIP:
The local cable and telephone
companies are your friends! Access to their poles is usually
a very important part of cable infrastructure installation.
Ensure
that relationships with these organizations are fostered - this
alone could make or break the ability of a community to install
the cable plant they need. |
|
TIP:
To
help maintain a good relationship with the local pole owners:
- Speak to the local engineer
first, *before* installing equipment,
and,
- Ensure that rules are followed,
that personnel are qualified, and that all work is done
well and properly.
In short: Ask Permission, Ask for
opinions, COMMUNICATE, and follow
their rules. |
|
TIP:
SAFETY
TIP: Dial
before you dig!!
If conduit is being installed, MAKE SURE
THAT THE LOCAL POWER COMPANY IS CALLED FIRST. Inform
them of the plans, and they may send a crew out to inspect
the site, to ensure that no underground wires are present
where you would like to dig. This can help save lives!!!
|
|
TIP:
PROTECT YOUR EQUIPMENT! Like any type of wiring
closet or equipment shed, the equipment required for a cable
"head end" should be adequately protected. Protect
equipment from power spikes and outages by installing
one or more UPS (Universal Power supplies), GROUND
equipment properly and adequately, and ensure
that proper ventilation and temperature controls are in place.
Equipment that is allowed to get too hot or too cold will not
last as long. |
|
TIP:
LABEL and COLOURCODE all of the lines coming from the
satellite dishes, and maintain this labelling system throughout
the head end. This will make it much easier to set up and troubleshoot
the system. |
|
TIP:If
you are having trouble seeing where the centre is on
the flush end of the cable, use a knife or cutters to remove
the outer aluminum jacket and foam to expose the centre
conductor at the end of the cable. This
will allow you to see the centre pin clearly and be able
to insert it into the centre of the coring tool. |
|
TIP:If
the connector is going onto an existing outdoor line, slip the
heat-shrink tube over the end of the line, BEFORE the connector
is in place. (If you don't put the
heat shrink on first, it means that you'll have to undo the
connector again to slip the heat shrink over, then begin the
tightening process again.) |
|
TIP:
Immediately, or as soon as possible, report all damages
to the cable plant that occurs or is noticed. The more eyes
watching a pole structure, the better! |
|
TIP:
If conduit is being placed, let everyone know: telephone
companies, hydro, gas, local cable, *anyone* who may have an
interest. One of these organizations may be willing to partner
in costs, in return for having the conduit help them for their
own needs. |
|
TIP:
During headend construction many length cables are made.
As in network
building, check all cables as you go as to avoid searching for
the bad one through the mess of cables at the end. |
 |
TIP:
Use heat shrink on **all** exterior connections!!
it helps keep water out and connectors tight, which are both
important parts of maintaining a tight, leak free, signal. |
|
TIP:
Anywhere it proves too difficult to apply heat shrink tubing
(and there will be places), both black electrical tape and electrical
rubber tape are both great for protecting connectors. **always
follow rubber tape with black tape as well, because rubber tape
does not stand the sun well** |
