atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring Video test/acceptance equipment

For those of you that work around CATV, coax, etc. Can you recommend what you would use to test @ the customer location for signal strength, verify channels, levels, etc. This test equipment would primarily be used by installation and maintenance technicians outside.

One unit I have seen is the Microstealth made by Wavetek (Acterna). They have several models, MS-1200D, 1300D, 1400D. Not sure which would be over kill for the user. As you can tell, I'm more tip and ring than TV.

Thanks.

As I've mentioned somewhere here I was in the CATV business about 25 years ago. These days I only occasionally get a customer that needs CATV or satellite work, usually as part of the premises wiring contract.

I still have an old Avantek signal level meter from those days and unfortunately it only goes to 300Mhz and weighs about 20 pounds due to the two 12 volt gel cells inside. It was top of the line back then, about $1500.

Today with most systems going to 750Mhz or more and with digital carriers I'm trying to justify retiring the old Advantek. I've been looking at the Acterna Microstealths myself. Wavetek has a long history of providing this kind of test equipment since back when I bought my Advantek so I'm familiar with them.

If you are going to do any of this kind of work I would recommend the MS-1200D, it will do everything except make coffee. It may take some getting used to and you do have to set it up to do what you want but after that it's a no brainer to use.

I got a price of $920 a little while ago with a lead time of about a month, they build these things to order.

-Hal

Thanks for your reply hbiss, and recommedations. The 1200D is what I kind of thought would be the best fit but it is always nice to get others input and reassurance as well. BTW, that's a pretty good price quote you got as well.

I've seen one of the units, and had a quickie demo, and it appears fairly easy to use once you do get it set up. From what I've heard/seen out in the field it appears that most of the CATV I&M folks use the Wavetek equipment.

Thanks again for your reply

[This message has been edited by mwann (edited September 13, 2005).]