Let's Talk Cabling!
Episodes
Why Do Project Managers Suck?
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThere is and probably always will be a adversarial relationship between field staff and project managers. Some of it is brought on by ho...
So You Want to Estimate ICT Projects (Part 2)
12 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLast week we discussed what it takes to be a good estimator. This week we discuss the mechanics of estimating. We cover ITB, RFQ, RFP,...
So You Want to Estimate ICT Projects (Part 1)
05 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textA common question I get is how to estimate projects. Well first you have to be a good estimator. What are the benefits and drawbacks to ...
Manufacture Warranty Programs Point vs Counterpoint
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAll of the manufacturers have warranty programs. They also have steps to get into the programs and costs associated with the program. ...
"Think Bigger" - Interview with Shelly Olmstead IES
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe posted a comment in social media last week which asked 'What is your biggest gripe about our industry. One common response was...
What’s the Deal With Computer Certifications?
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOne common question I often receive is which computer certification should I get as a cable technician. Well, I don't know....I don...
Revit and How It Will Make Your Job Easier!
01 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textHow can a drawing make your life easier as a Installer, Customer, or Engineer. Listen in as we discover what is Revit, what does it show...
Do Better Than This
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis week we talk about a controversial TikTok post from my account. We discuss who is responsible for poor quality work. We will look a...
Closet Artist - Interview with Shawn Repp
15 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textShawn Repp produces some quality work that very few could challenge. He is also an avid TikToker who exhibits his work on social media...
A Discussion About AV
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textMany low voltage installers and companies shy away from AV work. They fear it is too complicated or needs a programmer. This week we bri...
Invest in Yourself
01 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis week I prepare to attend the Winter 2022 BICSI conference. Listen in as I cover ways you can invest in yourself to make more money ...
Industry Icon Series - Theresa Johnson
25 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAn Industry Icon is someone in the industry who through their career has mastered their trade and now is sharing and mentoring to benefi...
New ITSIMM Released by BICSI
19 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIts out! BICSI released the new 8th edition of the ITSIMM. They have made some great changes. Listen in as we talk about what they chang...
A Discussion about Fusion Splicing with UCL Swift America
11 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textFiber skills will take you to the next level in your career and earnings. Yet many people don't have them and fewer people are will...
Are You the Best Technician in the Industry?
31 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAre You the Best Technician in the Industry? I challenge you to prove it. Attend and win the BICSI Cable Skills Challenge. Listen in as ...
Low Voltage Nation Update
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textBlake Urmos stops by to tell us all the new stuff going on at LVN like media platforms, fiber scholarships, and their key note speaker a...
BICSI's PM Class Discussion
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOne of the most frequent questions I get concerns about how to transition from the field to a PM role. Our industry is not great at crea...
Whats New in the 606 and All the Standards.
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe check in with Jonathan Jew about the new 606 standard recently revised. We also catch up on whats new with the all the other standard...
How Is the Semiconductor Shortage Affecting Our Industry
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textI am sure you have heard about the semiconductor shortage and how it is affecting every industry. I bring in Tim Kuhlman PE RCDD to di...
Busting Cable Myths!
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis week I tackle some cable myths. I compared cat 6 cable and connectors bought in a big box store vs a Tier 1 manufacture. Next I c...
Interview with a BICSI Technician
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis week I bring in a special guest. A BICSI Technician, not just any but my brother. Listen in as we talk about how his certifications...
Best Job in the Industry - QA Inspector
09 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textI have had many job in this industry. By far the one I enjoyed the most and found most rewarding was QA inspector. As a QA inspector y...
AEMs Award Winning Testers
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textCable installation & Maintenance each year has a competitive program to recognize innovative products, projects, and technologies. T...
Free Training & Resources
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat if I told you there are resources out there that will help you become a better installer, estimator, PM and these resources are fre...
Category Rated Cables Explained
20 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat is a category rated cable. What is the difference between Cat 5e and Cat 5E as well as all those other categories? We answer those ...
Hyper scale Data Centers - Labeling
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe continue our series on Hyper Scale Data Centers. This episodes we talk about the challenges you may face when it comes to labelin...
Industry Icons Series -Philip Klingensmith RCDD,OSP,RTPM,TECH, CT
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe are starting off a new series where we will talk to Industry Icons. People who through decades of work give us an insight of wher...
Hyperscale Data Centers Design and Installation Tips
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textHyperscale Data Centers are not just big data centers. They bring with them challenges for designers and installation crews. We bring ba...
Untwist Tool - Boris Braun
20 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThere is no doubt that tools make our jobs easier. I interview an inventor who came up with a way to untwist pairs quickly and easil...
OSP Cable Types and Considerations
14 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThere is more than the cable you install inside of a building. There is OSP cabling. There are many considerations to figure out and whi...
Cable CSI- What is That Cable Excreting
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn late July I was sent a picture and asked what was wrong with a cable that was excreting a white crystalized substance. The picture bl...
Fiber Talk with Senko
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis week we bring on Brian Teague CFOT, MBA to talk about fiber cleaning, whats new with fiber connectors, and advice for someone looki...
Hierarchy of Hazard Control- How to work safely
25 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAre you fully protected with wearing PPE? No, There are five levels of safety and PPE is at the bottom and offers the least protection. ...
New Product Review: Trend Networks Toner Probe R810000
17 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textToday we announce a new Expert Council Member Phillip Klingingsmith and also review Trend Networks new toner and probe model R810000. ...
Industry Trendsetter - Maria Moreno
10 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe continue our series on people who are flipping our industry on its ear. This episode we interview Maria Moreno. She is an electrical ...
Code Corner: An Explanation of Article 645 Information Technology Equipment
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIs a TR considered a ITE room, can you run riser cable under the raised floor in a data center if its plenum, what are the 6 requirement...
A Discussion about PoE - The Sinclair, Autograph Collection by Marriott
26 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe dive deeper into PoE with Hanna Walker RCDD CCNA to talk about what is PoE, design and installation considerations, and we talk about...
Defining and Testing MPTLs
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIoT and BAS are redefining traditional cable runs. This brings more challenges to the ICT designer and installer. Listen in as we talk a...
Industry Trendsetter - Yaheisha Hamilton
12 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThere are few people that impress and inspire me, Yaheisha is one of those. With only three years of experience in the ICT & Data ...
Contractor Highlight Series - Encompass Connect
05 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe are starting a new series called Contractor Highlight Series. These episodes we will highlight a contractor and discuss business tips...
Toner for Security and Alarm Cabling
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textDid you know there is a toner specifically for working on security and alarm cabling. This tool gives you the ability to do things that ...
Free Fiber Scholarships!
22 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThe pandemic seems to be finally going away. Business are opening back up and we seem to be going back to normal. We touch base with B...
A Discussion About Installing Cable in Wet Locations
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe will clarify all the confusion about installing cabling in wet locations. What is a wet location, are we exempt, what kind of cable s...
Data Center Fire Suppression Systems
08 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis week we talk about the three most common types of data centers. We also then shift the conversation to fire suppression systems tha...
An Interview with a Cable Dawg
01 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis show we explore military Cable Dawgs, who are they, how is their job different, and transitioning into the civilian world. We discu...
A Conversation with Cable Installation & Maintenance Magazine
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textI am super excited about this interview. I have used Cable Installation & Maintenance Magazine and webcasts for decades. I have a si...
Who is BICSI - A conversation with Christopher Hobbs RCDD, RTPM, DCDC, OSP
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis week we interview Christopher Hobbs RCDD, RTPM, DCDC, OSP and we talk about who is BICSI and how he can help your career by certifi...
Shaking up the Industry - A Unique Perspectice
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis industry is the epitome of the "old boys" network. While it has made some progress we still have a ways to go. People...
Why is the Code book so confusing - A frank conversation with Tim Kuhlman, PE, RCDD, CDT
07 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWho do you fear the most when installing ICT cabling. If you are like me its probably the electrical inspector. That is because they are...
Abandoned Cable 101 with 5 Tech Tips
27 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIf you have pulled cable for longer than a few days, sooner or later you will come across abandoned cable. Now what? Does it have to be ...
Interview with a A+ Certificate Holder
20 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textMany ICT installers eventually jump into computers. What is the first certification they should get? The CompTIA A+ certificate. We sit ...
Power over Ethernet Basics PoE
14 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat if I told you that a single four pair cable can transmit both power and a voice/data signal simultaneously, Yep, its called power o...
Humble Pie
03 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textListen in as I talk about the short break I took and make a correction to my discussion on consolidation points. Support the showKnowle...
Coffee Chat - BICSI Winter Conference 2021 part 2
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWell the BICSI Winter conference 2021 just came to a close. If you were like me you always hate to see the conferences close. This episo...
Coffee Chat - BICSI Winter Conference 2021 part 1
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWell the BICSI Winter conference 2021 just came to a close. If you were like me you always hate to see the conferences close. So I gathe...
Audio from After Hours Livestream - Ask Chuck Bowser RCDD
05 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of recorded on 3/4/2021 we answer "Whats new in the 14th edition of TDMM", Why does the customer want a spool ...
A Slippery Slope- Cable Pulling Lubricant
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhy can't you just use soap? We give little thought to cable pulling lubricant in our industry our but you should. If you pull to...
MUTOA vs Consolidation Point - What is the Difference
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textA lot of ICT installers and designer are confused to the differences between a MUTOA and a Consolidation Point. While they are similar t...
A Guide to Better Business Decisions - The Power of Surprise
17 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textToday we interview Tania Luna from Life Labs Learning and author of Surprise: Embrace the Unpredictable and Engineer the Unexpected. Thi...
Telecommunications Enclosure Requirements
16 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat is a telecommunications enclosure and how is it different from a telecommunications room? In this episode we discuss requirements...
What is a TDMM? (free study group)
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThe Telecommunications Distribution Methods Manual or TDMM is the foundational document of our industry. Listen in as I talk about what ...
10 Tips for Buying & Installing Plywood for a TR
02 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThe plywood is simply the foundation of the Telecommunications Room. Everything is attached to or hung off of it. If you have a shabby f...
15 Tips for Highly Effective Meetings
26 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe all have either sat in or conducted meetings. They suck the life out of your day. In today's episode we have 15 tips for you to ...
RTPM vs PMP Part 2 Interview with a PMP
19 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis final episode of the project management series we interview a certified PMP and I give my final thoughts of the RTPM vs the PMP. Wh...
RTPM vs PMP - Which is better Part 1
12 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textYou will find both of these certifications but which is better? Are they different? Which should I get? We finish our project manageme...
Project Management Series Part 5 Closure Phase
06 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLet me ask you a simple question, is the project done when the last cable is tested and you crew leaves the site for the final time? Hol...
Project Management Series Part 4 Project Execution, Monitoring and Controlling Phases
22 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe continue with our Project Management Series. This fourth part we discuss what the execution, monitoring, and controlling phases of pr...
Ask Chuck Bowser RCDD | After Hours Live Audio 12/17/2020
18 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAIRED 12/17/2020 We continue on last weeks successful Q&A. This week we talk about our branding change to "Let's Talk Cabl...
Project Management Series Part 3 Project Lifecycle Initiation and Planning
15 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe continue with our Project Management Series. This third part we discuss what a project lifecycle is and focus on the initiation and p...
Ask Chuck Bowser RCDD | After Hours Live Audio
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis is the audio from our After Hours Live stream multicast. It was such a huge success we are going to duplicate here. This episode we...
Project Management Series Part 2 - Stakeholders
08 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textStakeholders. What is a stakeholder. What are the differences between internal and external stakeholders. Wel,,l grab your cup of coffee...
Project Management Series Part 1 Definitions
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWelcome to our Project Management series. This will be five consecutive episodes on Project Management. It is not intended to be a repla...
EMI: Whats all this crosstalk about anyway?
24 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textToday on Episode 13 we tackle EMI like NEXT, FEXT, PSNEXT, PSFEXT, and AXT. Not sure that that is or how to fix it? Listen in. Also don&...
Special Guest: Blake Urmos of Low Voltage Nation
17 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOur industry has always been horrible at teaching the new people and mentoring. Blake Urmos of Low Voltage Nation has created a unique, ...
Is It Acceptable to Use Ceiling Wire as Support
11 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe have all seen it, cables supported by the ceiling wire or laying on the grid. Is that right or wrong? What if its just three cables? ...
Testing Cable: Certifications vs Qualification vs Verification
02 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis episode we cover a lot of content. Join Mike Bunning RCDD and I as we talk about how testers have evolved, the difference between c...
Three Must Haves for a Profitable Project
27 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat if I told you a 30 dollar tool could potentially save you thousands of dollars, help people perceive you as a professional, and h...
BICSI's New Mentoring Program!
20 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textJoin us as we talk to Ashley Wills RCDD, OSP, DCDC. She leads BICSI's mentoring program. We get into the details of how to become a...
Firestopping, why it is critical to you
12 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThe NFPA designates this week every October for National Fire Prevention week. Join us as we discuss the NFPA, National Fire Prevention ...
Category Rated Cable, Whats the difference?
07 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis episode we conclude our 3 part series Megabits vs MegaHertz. We till the concepts from bits and bytes and sinusoidal wave to explai...
Sinusoidal Wave and Encoding Schemes
24 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis episode is the second part of our three part series on megahertz vs megabits. Today we discuss the sinusoidal wave and encoding sch...
Bits and Bytes: What the heck is the difference?
12 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLets be honest it gets confusing right? BIts, Bytes, Megabytes what is that really? Listen in as we start a three part series discussion...
Certifications: Are they worth the time or money?
02 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textMany people in our industry have certifications. Who offers them? What types of certifications are available? How does your employer fee...
Neat and Workmanlike Manner - What is it?
02 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat is "Neat and Workmanlike Manner"mean? How is it defined by the electrical code, AHJ, a QA inspector? Come with us as we d...
Introduction Podcast
28 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWelcome to the introductory podcast for 5 minutes with an RCDD. Listen in as I explain what is an RCDD, what the podcast will be about, ...