Progression: Maintenance Tech I - II Conventional
1. In the tree-and-branch architecture, how is the downstream
signal from the trunk fed to the distribution branches?: Within
each trunk amplifier, a portion of the downstream is fed to a bridger
amplifier to boost the signal before being split and routed to the
distribution branches.
2. What is a common solution when congestion from modem
activity and traffic becomes unacceptable in a hybrid
fiber/coax (HFC) network?: Node splitting, the subdividing of
serving areas into two or more smaller serving areas.
3. What technologies are defined in DOCSIS 4.0 to help sustain
the hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) network infrastructure for several
more years?: Full Duplex DOCSIS (FDX) and Extended Spectrum
DOCSIS (ESD).
4. How can a less-experienced technician identify what non-
standard sym- bols on the network design maps represent?:
The legend at the bottom of the network design map that defines the
map symbols, cable types, and amplifier data.
,5. What is the RF distribution tap value indicated on the tap
face plate by a sticker or number stamped into the housing?:
The signal loss between the tap downstream input port and the tap
ports.
6. How can a distribution amplifier be identified in the network
or on a net- work design map?: The distribution amplifier has
multiple downstream outputs.
7. What is spliced into the hardline coaxial cable to combine
the AC power with the transported RF signal in a hybrid
fiber/coax (HFC) network?: A power inserter.
8. What test instrument sends out a test signal and displays
any reflections caused by impedance mismatches in the cable
that are characteristic of cable faults?: Time domain
reflectometer (TDR)
9. What should you be looking for when analyzing the network
design maps to troubleshoot a problem?: The device common to
those customers affected before traveling to make signal status
checks.
,10.What is required for checking the physical network integrity
when main- taining the coaxial cable network?: Being observant
and performing some minor tasks while engaged in regularly
scheduled activities.
11.Which of the following problem(s) are caused by egress
from a hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) network?: Interference with
aeronautical navigation and com- munication, amateur radio, public
service, and cellular communications.
12.What leakage level must be entered in the leakage log?:
Leaks 20 micro- volts per meter (¼V/m) or higher measured 10 feet
from the cable.
, 13.Which is a benefit of an aggressive signal leakage
policy?: Decreased ingress-related service calls.
14.What is done for leak measuring 1.25 microvolts per meter
(V¼/m) from about 160 feet away from the coaxial cable
network?: The leak level is likely 20 ¼V/m or higher when
measured 10 feet from the cable and must be fixed and recorded in
the leakage log.
15.If the leakage detector indicates there is a leak and
displays a reading of 14 microvolts per meter (uV/m)
measured at 80 feet from a possible leak source, what is the
approximate calculated level of the leak from 10 feet?: 112
uV/m.
16.When using the triangulation technique to find the source
of a leak, why is a dipole antenna used?: The dipole antenna is
directional and picks up the strongest signal that is at a right angle, or
perpendicular to the antenna elements.
17.When trying to find the source of a very strong leakage
signal, what should be done?: Reduce the sensitivity of the
1. In the tree-and-branch architecture, how is the downstream
signal from the trunk fed to the distribution branches?: Within
each trunk amplifier, a portion of the downstream is fed to a bridger
amplifier to boost the signal before being split and routed to the
distribution branches.
2. What is a common solution when congestion from modem
activity and traffic becomes unacceptable in a hybrid
fiber/coax (HFC) network?: Node splitting, the subdividing of
serving areas into two or more smaller serving areas.
3. What technologies are defined in DOCSIS 4.0 to help sustain
the hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) network infrastructure for several
more years?: Full Duplex DOCSIS (FDX) and Extended Spectrum
DOCSIS (ESD).
4. How can a less-experienced technician identify what non-
standard sym- bols on the network design maps represent?:
The legend at the bottom of the network design map that defines the
map symbols, cable types, and amplifier data.
,5. What is the RF distribution tap value indicated on the tap
face plate by a sticker or number stamped into the housing?:
The signal loss between the tap downstream input port and the tap
ports.
6. How can a distribution amplifier be identified in the network
or on a net- work design map?: The distribution amplifier has
multiple downstream outputs.
7. What is spliced into the hardline coaxial cable to combine
the AC power with the transported RF signal in a hybrid
fiber/coax (HFC) network?: A power inserter.
8. What test instrument sends out a test signal and displays
any reflections caused by impedance mismatches in the cable
that are characteristic of cable faults?: Time domain
reflectometer (TDR)
9. What should you be looking for when analyzing the network
design maps to troubleshoot a problem?: The device common to
those customers affected before traveling to make signal status
checks.
,10.What is required for checking the physical network integrity
when main- taining the coaxial cable network?: Being observant
and performing some minor tasks while engaged in regularly
scheduled activities.
11.Which of the following problem(s) are caused by egress
from a hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) network?: Interference with
aeronautical navigation and com- munication, amateur radio, public
service, and cellular communications.
12.What leakage level must be entered in the leakage log?:
Leaks 20 micro- volts per meter (¼V/m) or higher measured 10 feet
from the cable.
, 13.Which is a benefit of an aggressive signal leakage
policy?: Decreased ingress-related service calls.
14.What is done for leak measuring 1.25 microvolts per meter
(V¼/m) from about 160 feet away from the coaxial cable
network?: The leak level is likely 20 ¼V/m or higher when
measured 10 feet from the cable and must be fixed and recorded in
the leakage log.
15.If the leakage detector indicates there is a leak and
displays a reading of 14 microvolts per meter (uV/m)
measured at 80 feet from a possible leak source, what is the
approximate calculated level of the leak from 10 feet?: 112
uV/m.
16.When using the triangulation technique to find the source
of a leak, why is a dipole antenna used?: The dipole antenna is
directional and picks up the strongest signal that is at a right angle, or
perpendicular to the antenna elements.
17.When trying to find the source of a very strong leakage
signal, what should be done?: Reduce the sensitivity of the
