I've worked both tech support and field support for high speed data. You have two dbmv (decibels per millivolt) levels to worry about. TX and RX. It sounds like they are talking about a TX problem if they are talking Upstream. Now, when they say borderline, do they mean borderline low or borderline high. Generally with DOCSIS modems you want a TX level of 36 to 52. Above or below will cause intermittent connection problems. There are a couple of causes of out of whack TX problems. One is the cable company's node/amplifiers on the main lines need to be swept and balanced. If your TX is too high, you might have too many splitters between your cable modem and your demarcation point (the point where the drop from the main line enters your house). If it's too low, a simple 3db or 6db pad will generally put you right in the right level range. There are cable amps, but they are for RX only and generally will interfere slightly with cable modem operation. So, your best bet. Tell the cable company to get a tech out there to check your household out. Make sure they check levels both TX and RX, connectors/fittings, look for crappy RG59 cable line (you should be using RG6 for less attenuation of signal).
Slashdot Mirror
I've worked both tech support and field support for high speed data. You have two dbmv (decibels per millivolt) levels to worry about. TX and RX. It sounds like they are talking about a TX problem if they are talking Upstream. Now, when they say borderline, do they mean borderline low or borderline high. Generally with DOCSIS modems you want a TX level of 36 to 52. Above or below will cause intermittent connection problems. There are a couple of causes of out of whack TX problems. One is the cable company's node/amplifiers on the main lines need to be swept and balanced. If your TX is too high, you might have too many splitters between your cable modem and your demarcation point (the point where the drop from the main line enters your house). If it's too low, a simple 3db or 6db pad will generally put you right in the right level range. There are cable amps, but they are for RX only and generally will interfere slightly with cable modem operation. So, your best bet. Tell the cable company to get a tech out there to check your household out. Make sure they check levels both TX and RX, connectors/fittings, look for crappy RG59 cable line (you should be using RG6 for less attenuation of signal).