Virgin Media to Double Broadband Speed - Page 71

Peter_ · 17-01-2012, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre

Agreed but it is not supposed to be "finger tight" as suggested, it is supposed to be as tight as possible ( without breaking it obviously).

If we told everybody just to finger tight their c
onnections we'd increase SNR issues many fold

We have to ask customers sometimes to undo their coax to diagnose 169ip issues and the coax should be able to be released without resorting to a pair of pliers or a spanner which is what is called finger tight.

Remember our online tools can see if the connection has degraded so we can advise them to tighten the connection, if you could see what we can see when we are connected to your modem you would understand, we can reboot your modem if required as well.

Pierre · 17-01-2012, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_

We have to ask customers sometimes to undo their coax to diagnose 169ip issues and the coax should be able to be released without resorting to a pair of pliers or a spanner which is what is called finger tight.

Remember our online tools can see if the connection has degraded so we can advise them to tighten the connection, if you could see what we can see when we are connected to your modem you would understand, we can reboot your modem if required as well.

I've seen single customer view, I know the guy that developed it.

Peter_ · 17-01-2012, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre

I've seen single customer view, I know the guy that developed it.

Is it the same guy who did red tools.

Pierre · 17-01-2012, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_

Is it the same guy who did red tools.

No

Kymmy · 17-01-2012, 22:07

Just finger tight is incorrect, I was always taught (MOD spec) that it should be finger tight then one sixth of a turn (one flat face) more. Anything more is overkill and anything less means it can easily undo and attenuate the connection.

Pierre · 17-01-2012, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Just finger tight is incorrect, I was always taught (MOD spec) that it should be finger tight then one sixth of a turn (one flat face) more. Anything more is overkill and anything less means it can easily undo and attenuate the connection.

Peter_ · 17-01-2012, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre

No

SCV misses a couple of useful elements from Red Tools so I thought not, so you tend to run both tools together.

qasdfdsaq · 17-01-2012, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_

A perfect quote for why not to use a normal spanner, thank you.

But that's exactly why I use a normal spanner, not a plastic one. A plastic one wouldn't be able to remove the connector.

Peter_ · 17-01-2012, 22:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

But that's exactly why I use a normal spanner, not a plastic one. A plastic one wouldn't be able to remove the connector.

That is what is supplied with all the modems and what they expect you to fit them with, but all technicians use their trusty pliers as they know exactly how much to tighten and when called out for a television fault they will tighten your coax while checking out the connection.

The spanner is not my idea and I expect it is their to prevent breaking the connector off more than anything.

One good thing it does get a few comments about it and it is interesting to see the different views over it.

So thank you Pierre, Kymmy and qasdfdsaq for some interesting posts and views.

Has anyone else any thoughts on the little plastic spanner provided with your modem.

BenMcr · 17-01-2012, 22:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

A plastic one wouldn't be able to remove the connector.

It can if you've used the plastic one to screw it on in the first place

qasdfdsaq · 17-01-2012, 23:21

(I'm being obtuse and referring to ripping off the coax connector deliberatey as a reassurance measure

)

I still have no intention of ever using a live Superhub on VM's network, which may well mean I'm "stuck" with Infinity until VM 400mb rolls around.

jb66 · 18-01-2012, 08:16

If a new hub comes out to replace the superhub what are they going to call it? Superdooperhub? Or "Superhub (It really this time!)" or "Hub that actually works with wireless"

Kymmy · 18-01-2012, 09:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_

it is supposed to be only fingertight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_

Have you actually seen one of the plastic spanners we send out, they are sent out for one reason only to prevent you overtightening the f connector on the back of the modem thus preventing you from separating it from the casing which tends to happen with pliers if you are not careful.

Make up your mind... finger tight or use the plastic spanner (which will still make it tighter than finger tight)

The actual torque figure I was taught was 15in/lbs (finger tight + one flat face) but looking at the available tools for the CTV industry it looks like it's now 20in/lbs

Do you think they'd be selling this otherwise

http://www.tecratools.com/pages/av/38320.html

The plastic spanners will probably spread their jaws at about 12-15in/lbs hence they are supplied.

I really do hate it when telephone support pretend to be hands on techies

Peter_ · 18-01-2012, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Make up your mind... finger tight or use the plastic spanner (which will still make it tighter than finger tight)

The actual torque figure I was taught was 15in/lbs (finger tight + one flat face) but looking at the available tools for the CTV industry it looks like it's now 20in/lbs

Do you think they'd be selling this otherwise

http://www.tecratools.com/pages/av/38320.html

The plastic spanners will probably spread their jaws at about 12-15in/lbs hence they are supplied.

I really do hate it when telephone support pretend to be hands on techies

We supply the plastic spanner which is half the size of the one you linked to and it is nowhere near as strong as the jaws open when you try to hard and you can stil undo it with your fingers.

The techs use pliers.

Kushan · 18-01-2012, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_

it is supposed to be only fingertight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre

Christ on a bike. And you work for Virgin?

The connection is supposed to be as tight as possible, loose connections out on the network and on CPE is the biggest cause of noise on the network.

I had to take part in a trial about a year and a half ago whereby Virgin mailed out these plastic spanners to people who were having dodgy connections (multiple missed flaps on red tools), so obviously someone at Virgin thinks you need the plastic Spanner. Plus, it wouldn't be in any of those packs if it wasn't needed.

That said, the result of this trial was that most people didn't bother with the spanner, those that did said it made no difference (mostly because they didn't notice any issues in the first place) and not a single modem stopped flapping in Red tools. The odd customer that did have an issue needed a tech visit in the end, so you could argue that the spanner is pointless.

However, I think it's fair to say that not everyone has the same strength, especially in their fingers. The spanner is likely for those who aren't quite that strong to ensure a tight connection, whereas for a lot of us "finger tight" is sufficient. I know my modem is just fine and that was certainly finger tight.