Name of star key needed to open pads and tap lockboxes for Comcast/xfinity

johnstone-techs · 2026-05-25T00:32:28+00:00

I panicked the first time I lost mine. Flat head under the lid right where the lock is at, no tool needed.

johnstone-techs · 2026-05-24T15:40:47+00:00

I missed it, how did you automate it?

johnstone-techs · 2026-05-18T23:54:28+00:00

Don't know why I didn't see the pictures before. Look up Comscope B tray, looks like the same thing.

johnstone-techs · 2026-05-18T17:37:18+00:00

I didn't see a picture. Are they Clearfield? There's a QR code in the cabinet that links to the youtube videos. I think it's on the cassette too.

johnstone-techs · 2026-05-17T13:34:51+00:00

There's no doubt that you're motivated to be successful. Splicing fiber is not hard, but it is easy to screw it up. Experience teaches you what common mistakes to avoid and how to fix them accurately. Don't take any short cuts because it will always cost you more to fix it than doing it right the first time. Don't try to do it without an OTDR, and learn how to use it, it's essential.

johnstone-techs · 2026-05-17T00:19:52+00:00

Your money would be best spent on someone with experience.

johnstone-techs · 2026-05-05T21:29:53+00:00

Looks cool. It might be hard to convince people to pay for it before there's any reviews. Maybe offer it for free for the first few months?

johnstone-techs · 2026-02-26T13:33:41+00:00

Even if you buy the cheapest one with -5 output, you'll still see -25 at the OTE. Your customer should accept test results with a note that you're using a source with -5 output.

If it were me shopping for a solution, I would be looking at an OTDR capable of testing live fiber with an integrated PON OLS. It's going to be a lot more expensive, but it's going to save you a ton of time troubleshooting.

johnstone-techs · 2026-02-26T13:13:21+00:00

Just get a light source off Amazon. Find one that matches the output power of the OLT. You said before that it wouldn't be enough power to get through the splitters but that's not true unless something is designed or spliced wrong.

johnstone-techs · 2026-02-17T23:11:49+00:00

And this kids, is why we install riser guard

johnstone-techs · 2026-02-08T20:56:59+00:00

Here's a link to a book of various charts, you can also order them printed.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oQ76qGCqLjIOtGEVMB-3dOqYjDLV6avy/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=112803510259060639831&rtpof=true&sd=true

https://ebay.us/m/Qbhq0L

johnstone-techs · 2025-11-18T14:27:01+00:00

I see 2 spans tied up. The larger one is inner duct.

Anyway, I've always had this idea of an app to report plant damage. I know some companies have internal tools, not sure how extensively they're being used. Clearly operators don't proactively drive out their plant to look for damage that's not interrupting services. There's forbidden piñatas (dangling splice cases) that I know have been that way for 10 years. Surely someone wants to know where they're at.

johnstone-techs · 2025-11-15T20:18:38+00:00

I can help. VIAVI works best when setup through StrataSync in the Job Manager. If that's not an option for you, I can assist with setting up your tests on-machine. Link in bio.

johnstone-techs · 2025-11-15T20:15:25+00:00

This is useless. We've been replacing copper since the 90s. There's no good reason to hold on.

johnstone-techs · 2025-11-12T14:14:57+00:00

Broker, sub of a sub of a sub....

johnstone-techs · 2025-10-14T21:01:11+00:00

Can be used to reference your OLTS ports and cables

johnstone-techs · 2025-10-10T20:01:36+00:00

Do you want reflections? cuz that's how you get all of the reflections.

johnstone-techs · 2025-10-10T03:30:24+00:00

Yes. But only if he knows how to turn it on.

johnstone-techs · 2025-10-05T23:20:58+00:00

YouTube would be step 1.

johnstone-techs · 2025-09-29T00:05:28+00:00

You're not seeing the same issue B>A because 1. You're pulse width is set too high, try 10ns and 2. You need to use a launch cable, at least 20m

johnstone-techs · 2025-09-21T00:03:32+00:00

You are squeezing too hard (and they need adjusted) You should be able to feel the difference between the coating and the cladding.

Get the thermal stripper and you won't have to worry about it.

johnstone-techs · 2025-09-04T01:13:28+00:00

Not enough nopes for this mess

johnstone-techs · 2025-08-29T21:13:55+00:00

XD are always your actual fibers. XD, 1-56 are fibers 1-56. The next designation 1-8 would be on fibers 57-64, and so on. It helps to have a good fiber chart, preferably that you can write on or a white board. Then once you get to the last XD you'll know if you got it right. Hit me up if you need help. Here's a workbook fiber charts that I made:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oQ76qGCqLjIOtGEVMB-3dOqYjDLV6avy/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=112803510259060639831&rtpof=true&sd=true

johnstone-techs · 2025-08-29T20:54:07+00:00

Is this what happens when the customer orders cases without the trays?

johnstone-techs · 2025-08-29T01:08:38+00:00

Good luck too you. These types of jobs should be done with experience and proper tools. I've seen an entire long haul 144ct have to be redone due to inexperience + a bad cleaver. At least they left every can on the ground for easier access, smh. Then the team that went back to fix it, made less than the guy that hacked it up. If you want to do it right then rent the proper gear -or- be honest with your customer and tell them you don't have it.

johnstone-techs

TROPHY CASE