[handyman]

Originally Posted by whydoIneedatech

Here is a couple of links for you

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5738525.html

http://gaj.ca/ an inexpensive way for testing cable modems it says.

Neither are what the chap has had fitted.

Basically its the same size as the normal attenuators or 'jelly beans' as they are known.

The cable signal needs an specific length of cable to travel down before it reaches the characteristics that make it work with the modem. The adjusts the signal on shorter runs so that it works again. Also the antenuators that where fitted will knock the signal level down some.

The signal that travels down the coax is way more complex than you would think. As I recall parts of the signal actually run through the metal shielding.

I was fortunate to be able to go on a training course with the senior network techs which gave a good insight into how it all works.