Remove any old traps that may impede modem operation and tag the service drop at the tap, if required. Ask the customer if any picture quality problems exist on any cable-installed TV sets. Ask permission to check the picture quality on those sets. Check the analog channels for obvious ingress, beats or any apparent problems. Digital video channels often will hide small problems in the drop.
Visual impairments show up more readily in analog video channels and can indicate possible problems.
Always measure the signal levels at several channels throughout the system s bandwidth. Monitoring, detecting and eliminating signal leakage helps prevent ingress from interfering with the data signals. Signal ingress into the customer drop system is difficult to control when the customer s drop cable can be connected to a multitude of consumer premises equipment. Poor consumer equipment shielding, loose connections or damaged cable may cause signal ingress. You can combat these problems by using high-pass filters and directional couplers, and by eliminating drop system integrity problems.