Securing the System
Welcome to Tech Talk, Pico Macom's series of technical notes, featuring useful information and equipment tips. This installment of Tech Talk discusses Pico Macom’s line of F-port security hardware and tools.
Lock It Up—Tight!
Many times we are in such a hurry to get our customers on line or to quickly repair and move on to the next job that we cut short a very important part of the installation. Adding security to the service drop and associated hardware serves multiple functions. Most people are relatively technical by nature, or at least they think they are. It is common for modifications to be made after the initial installation to serve signal to other televisions in the home. When done by an unskilled person, these modifications can cause problems that will destroy a return path system and even affect the picture quality of other customers.
1) Stolen Signal Causes Ingress/Egress
We have discussed in previous editions of Tech Talk how improperly made connections can cause signal to “leak out” or be introduced into our closed coaxial system. Finger-tightened connectors can loosen over time. Loose connectors can act as an antenna, broadcasting the signals from the cable and receiving the signals from the open air. When the signal leaks out at a strong enough level, it can interfere with local antennas receiving over-the-air stations. This violates government regulations for signal leakage. Over the air there are signals, such as paging, Citizens Band and amateur radio services, that will mix with a cable modem or other type of return network, ruining the signal quality.
2) Stolen Signal Causes Lost Revenue
Think about the money you have invested in building the system. How long does it take to recover your investment? What are your recurring costs, such as electrical power and programming? Is it fair that someone should be allowed to connect to the system without proper compensation? The saying goes, “Locks keep honest people honest.” But if thieves want to get into a system badly enough, they will find a way. It is much easier to document theft of service after you have taken the necessary steps to secure the service in the first place. The equipment in the customer's home can easily be damaged by an unstable power source. It is advisable to use the third-prong ground of an electric outlet when available. Never cut the third prong from a power cord. If the outlet doesn't accept a third prong, buy an adaptor at a local hardware store.
For these reasons, it’s easy to see that time and money can be saved by securing the system right every time. Don’t take the short cut; in the end, it just isn’t worth the cost. The next section will show how easy it is to secure the system using Pico Macom’s line of high quality parts.
Putting It In Place
For the highest level of reliability, use the following products and techniques to add signal security to the service drop:
- At the TSHP-series hardline multitap, standard metal sleeves provide excellent security and stand up to harsh weather.
- On the F-port to be used, it is best to secure the connector to the port by installing the SS-1D on the F-port and using the ST-1P to guide the F-connector onto the port and tighten it.
- On unused ports, protect from signal theft or damage by inserting non-conductive grease into the internal threaded side of a SGLR-01 port locking terminator. Use the SGT-01 to thread the port lock securely onto the tap port.
- Outdoor and lockbox splitters and grounding blocks with longer metal sleeves provide a higher level of security where much of the signal theft takes place.
- Used splitter and ground block F-ports should be secured by installing the SS-1DL on the F-port and using the ST-1PL to guide the F-connector onto the port and tighten it.
- On unused ports, protect from signal theft or damage by inserting non-conductive grease into the internal threaded side of a SGLR-01 port locking terminator. Use the SGT-01 to thread the port lock securely onto the splitter port.
- For indoor and customer equipment, it is best to use nylon sleeves. This provides slightly less security but has less risk of the customer damaging the equipment while trying to remove cables.
- On the F-port of consumer equipment, secure the connector to the port by installing the NLS or EZ-NLS on the F-port and using the ST-1P to guide the F-connector onto the port and tighten it (DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN).