- FOA & SCA To Help California
Homebuilders Understand High Tech Homes
- The FOA and Structured
Cabling Association are combining forces to discuss how broadband
connections like FTTH requires new thinking from homebuilders
on how homes should be designed and built to provide high speed
connections inside the home so the family can take advantage
of all that broadband offers. The presentation is part of the
Building Industry Show educational program sponsored by the Building
Industry Association of Southern California. With home sales
in a slump, high tech cabling offers a way for builders to makes
homes more attractive to buyers and more profitable. It also
offers great job opportunities for cabling installers and contractors.
- Why Broadband Connections Need High Tech
Homes, November 15, 2007,
1:00 2:30pm Room 103C, Long Beach Convention Center, The O7 Building Industry
Show
- Intel Puts Optical Communication
Components On Silicon
- Intel has a large R&D effort
in optoelectronics, mainly aimed at developing components that
will allow integration of the transceiver into other devices
on a single silicom wafer used for integrated circuits. Already,
they have created the first silicon
laser and a modulator that has the capability of 40 gigabits
per second transmission. Intel has now announced the development
of a silicon detector at the wafer level. To overcome the spectral
sensitivity issues of silicon, they deposit germanium on the
wafer and use the silicon as a waveguide. Again, the component
is capable of 40 gigabits per second transmission, making a high
speed integrated transceiver a real possibility.
- More
-
- TIA 568-C Standard Status
Report
- The FOA participates in the
TIA TR-42 and FO-4 committees working on the next generation
of TIA-568, which will be the "C" revision. At meetings
in Palm Springs in September, TIA-568-C.3, the part that deals
with fiber optic components, was completed, reviewed and approved
for publication. Fiber, it seems, is a lot simpler to write standards
for, as it was not necessary to create a new generation of cabling
as is being done in the copper committees.
- Good news for the industry is
that TIA-568-C will drop the impossible requirement of testing
for insertion loss using OFSTP-14, method B, the "one reference
cable" method. This method is impossible to use when the
connectors on the cable plant are not compatible with the test
set connectors or "plug and jack" connectors are used.
TIA-568-C will allow either of the three OFSTP-14 methods, as
long as the method is documented.
- Beware Of Internet Scams!
- Several people have recently
brought to our attention a website designed to confuse people
looking for The Fiber Optic Association. Instead of "thefoa.org"
the official FOA site, it's "thefoa.com." It's owned
by a sleezy company that buys websites with similar names to
popular websites and bets the real company or organization will
pay them to drop it. This particular website has advertisements
for several fiber optic training companies that are using this
scam site to promote their training, trying to confuse students
looking for FOA-Approved schools, in addition to what are probably
sellers of counterfeit drugs, illicit services and the like.
- Note: NONE OF THE SCHOOLS LISTED
ON THIS WEBSITE ARE FOA-APPROVED AND NONE OFFER FOA CERTIFICATIONS.
THESE SCHOOLS ARE OBVIOUSLY TRYING TO OBTAIN STUDENTS BY TRYING
TO IMPLY THE SCHOOL IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FOA. What does that
tell you?!
- The FOA is insitituting a complaint
with international domain registration authorities to shut this
site down ASAP! We urge you to complain to anyone advertising
on the site!
- What One CFOT Did This Summer!
- (An email from a FOA CFOT who
also instructs in his "spare time!")
- The big fiber job at the univeristy
turned out quite well. And they added more that they called phase
2. The first phase consisted of roughly 3 miles of cable and
3000 terminations. What we ended up doing was terminating the
24 multi-mode strands in a traditional manner with fan out kits
and 3M hot melt connectors. 60 of the single-mode strands were
terminated in the same fashion. The last 12 single-mode were
fusion spliced with ultra polished pigtails. The cable company
was astonished with the results. We got a huge "atta boy"
from them and the university.
- I was pleasently surprised with
all of the test results from the OTDR also. There were 3 of us
doing the terminating for the most part. I did all of the fusion
splicing only because we have just the one splicer plus I had
the most experience using it. When we were all done pulling cable,
I was able to get the apprentices involved with terminating.
Everything from the fan out kits to polishing. And I'm happy
to report that even they're ends were consistent with mine and
the other 2 journeymen. The university added another 6 buildings
which amounts to another 5 or 600 ends.
- I finished there in July and
started another fiber job at one of the steel mills in our area.
There's about 600 terminations. I'm about finished with that
and I'm going back to the university to help complete phase 2.
- I also have an awesome fiber
repair job coming up in about 2 weeks. At another one of the
steel mills, a helicopter hit the very top cable, called the
static line, and broke it. This cable is similar to the cable
used in the "dark fiber" project through out the U.S.
This fiber linked the electrical substations throught the mill.
Now here's the fun part, I have to fusion splice the 8 fibers
on top of a 160 foot tower.
- Also on the horizon, one of
the big name casinos is building a new gambling boat. It's HUGE.
About the size of 4 football fields and 3 stories tall.
- End Users Need Advice Too
- Most technical information on
fiber optics seems to be aimed at installers, but at the FOA
we get lots of phone calls from end users. Often they are confused
and want advice: Should they use fiber or copper? What components
should they choose (and why?) What does a fiber optic system
design require? Can they install fiber themselves or should they
hire a contractor? How do they find a contractor? What should
the contract with the contractor include? What are the requirements
for testing and documenting a network? And sometimes, we get
a fiber optic network user who asks "My system is down?
What can I do?"
- Well the FOA has started addressing
the needs of the end user. A new section of the FOA website will
be devoted to the end user, trying to cover all these questions
and more - as the users call us to ask.
- Don't assume the information
is just for users, not installers, contractors and consultants.
It's information you need to be familiar with also, and we'd
suggest you tell all your customers about it, as it will help
explain fiber optics in terms they will understand and help you
and them communicate about fiber optic projects.
-
The
Fiber Optic Association User's Guide To Fiber Optic System Design
and Installation
- http://www.thefoa.org/user/
-
- Installing Fiber Optics?
Have You Seen These?
- We get lots of calls here at
the FOA looking for advice. Many are from people unfamiliar with
fiber optics who are planning an installation, having an installation
done or testing and troubleshooting problems. To answer these
questions, we have created a standard on installation, NECA/FOA-301
and three Tech
Bulletins for users and installers. These, plus all the information
in our "Tech
Topics" section, will answer many of your questions.
It's where most of our callers are sent for detailed explanations
they can print and distribute to interested parties.
-
- FTTH
News
-
- FOA & President Jim Hayes
Recognized For Contributions To FTTx
- FOA President Jim Hayes and
the FOA have been recognized for their efforts to promote FTTx,
particularly in the multi-dwelling unit (MDU) market by Broadband
Properties magazine. The importance of our work promoting FTTx
education and recruitment through our certifications, online
programs and FTTx Summits was recognized by BBP. Read
the article.
-
-
- AT&T Rolling out U-verse.
Starting FTTH?
- Conversations with AT&T
personnel handing out U-verse literature at the OSP show said
that they were offering their U-verse digital TV systems in more
areas and indicated they were installing FTTH in greenfield applications
in Northern California. We're requesting more information. Now
their focus is no longer mainly on acquisitions, they can go
back to focusing on the telecom business, we guess.
-
- Want To Learn More About
FTTx?
- The FOA has created a special
FTTx resources
section of our website with a FTTx
links page with lots of links to news, market reports, technical
articles and vendor technical and product information. Here
is a great place to start learning more about FTTx.
- FOA's CFxT FTTx Certification Program
Explained
- Read the Broadband Properties article
about the FOA FTTx certification program.
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Digging Safely 
The old story (not a joke!) about
the most likely fiber optic communications system failure being
caused by "backhoe fade" reminds us that digging safely
is vitally important. The risk is not just interrupting communications,
but the life-threatening risk of digging up high voltage or gas
lines.
There is a website called "Common Ground Alliance"
that focuses directly on this issue. Here is how they describe
themselves:
- Damage Prevention is a
Shared Responsibility
- The Common Ground Alliance
(CGA) is a member-driven association dedicated to ensuring public
safety, environmental protection, and the integrity of services
by promoting effective damage prevention practices.
In recent years, the association has established itself as the
leading organization in an effort to reduce damages to all underground
facilities in North America through shared responsibility
among all stakeholders.
Of special interest is their
"Best
Practices" Manual, available for downloading. If you
do OSP installs, please get yourself a copy and read it.
http://www.commongroundalliance.com/
There is a new toll-free
"call before you dig" number: 811
See www.call811.com
for more information
National
Fiber Optic Protection Summit:
By the "811" group. March, 2008 in Vegas.
Home Tech - Needed To Take
Advantage of FTTH
Once a home has a broadband connection,
which we hope is fiber to the home, but could be DSL or Cable
Modem, the usage of all that bandwidth depends on distribution
within the home. The in-home connections can be UTP or Coax copper,
wireless or fiber. But architects and home builders must learn
how to build homes to take advantage of broadband connections.
The FOA, in conjunction with the Structured Cabling Association,
have started working with home builders to bring them up to speed.
You can see the first tutorial we have jointly developed at the SCA website.
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Links:
Bob Ballard of FOA-Approved
School BDI Datalink
has a neat website with some good technical content. Be sure to pay particular attention
to these pages:
http://www.bdidatalynk.com/mythsoffiberoptics.html
and http://www.bdidatalynk.com/askdoctor.html
Like Good Technical Videos?
Try NECA/IBEW/JATC's
Electric TV.
- Job
Openings
Fiber Optics Technician, UNITED
STATES DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
Position Title: Automation Support
Specialist (Fiber Optics Technician)
Temporary
Appointment (Year + 1 day)
Location: Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi,
McAllen, Laredo, Brownsville and Houston,
Texas
Salary Range: $39,322 - $63,943(CL-25)*
*Salary
Commensurate with Qualifications
POSITION OVERVIEW
Will convert the court's buildings
throughout the United States Southern District of Texas to fiber
optic cable. The court has facilities in Galveston, Victoria,
Corpus Christi, McAllen, Laredo,
Brownsville and Houston, Texas.
- More info: http://www.bdidatalynk.com/USCourtsTech.html
-
-
- Project Manager
- Celergy Networks, Carlsbad,
CA, a leading provider of voice and data networking and structured
cabling installations, seeks Project Managers for Telecommunications.
Candidates must be able to work in a fast-paced environment,
multi-task, be able to quickly identify potential roadblocks
and facilitate solid solutions, and have strong customer service
skills.
- Responsibilities include coordinating
labor, materials and customer scheduling required for implementation
of projects to meet and or exceed customer expectations and deadlines,
daily communication and reporting to customer on status of work,
margin control of projects, interaction and team work with engineer,
accounting and purchasing manager to ensure a profitable and
smooth implementation.
- The Successful Candidate Will
Have:
- Strong organizational and communication
skills required.
Strong negotiation skills and experience in negotiating pricing
reduction
3+ years experience in customer service and/or help desk related
work preferably within Telecom industry, but not required.
Working knowledge of Windows NT, especially word, excel, power
point, adobe.
MS project and IS09000, 9001, etc experience preferred, but not
required.
Understanding and basic knowledge of PM process and procedures
Ability to follow process and procedures, enhanced with ability
to identify improvements and suggest changes if required for
improvement for greater efficiency and customer service.
Experience in Project Management of multiple accounts simultaneously
preferred.
Strong interpersonal skills and experience working with a team
required.
Basic knowledge in cabling/infrastructure preferred.
-
- The salary range for a project
manager currently offered is between 40k- to 60k / year,
based on experience.
- Lucia Romanov-Stark
Director of Marketing
Celergy Networks, Inc.
2011 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 200
Carlsbad, CA 92011
Phone: (760) 268-1913 x 6134
Fax: (760) 603-8577
Mobile: (949) 374-2334
http://www.celergy.com
-
-
- Information Technology Specialist
-
- The Network Technician reports
to the Director of Technical Services and is a member of both
the Enterprise Services Team within the Information Technology
department and the Telecommunications Team.
This highly skilled seasoned technician applies a broad and in-depth
working knowledge of IT network infrastructure to a wide variety
of assignments through the application of technical concepts,
practices, and procedures. This position works in the field to
support the campus data, voice, and video infrastructure systems.
Under general direction, serves as the on-site technician to
install, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain network equipment.
Completes requests for new service, determines methodology for
installing network equipment, determines appropriateness of moderate
equipment changes or modifications, installs and terminates fiber
optic cable, terminates copper cabling, test links, and installs
other computer equipment as required. Use current industry standards
and operating procedures to establish work methods incorporating
innovative approaches to complete work assignments.
- Green River Community College
is located on a 168-acre wooded site near Auburn, Washington,
about 30 miles from both Seattle and Tacoma. The college opened
in 1965 and enrolls over 9,000 students, includes 11 instructional
divisions and 50 vocational programs, and employs over 1000 full
and part-time staff. Green River Community College recognizes
that embracing diversity maximizes faculty and staff contribution
to our goals and provides the best opportunity for student achievement.
-
- An application packet can be
requested by email (hr@greenriver.edu) or by phone at (253) 288-3320.
Human Resources
12401 SE 320th Street
Auburn, Washington 98092
Additional information about Green River Community College at:
http://www.greenriver.edu/
- ADC Looking For CO Techs
- DC Power Installers and Equipment
Installer Level III Candidates. We are looking for individuals
who have proven success working in a Central Office environment.
Candidates should have the ability to lead others and to travel
extensively.
-
- We are currently looking for
a Central Office Equipment Installer, level III for Newark,
N.J and surrounding areas.
- Equipment Installers are responsible
for the installation of equipment used in voice, video, fiber
optics and data telecommunications networks. Level III Installers
also, analyze, plan, layout and assign installation activity
to other installation personnel. Act as subject matter expert
on provisioning, activating and testing ADC and OEM electronic
equipment.
We are currently looking for DC Power Equipment Installers,
Level IV to cover installation projects in the Northeastern part
of the country. DC Power Equipment Installers are responsible
for the installation of equipment such as batteries, rectifiers,
PBD's, BDFB's and associated infrastructure used in telecommunications
networks. Analyze, plan, layout and assign installation activity
to other installation personnel. Act as subject matter expert
on provisioning, activating and testing 24 and 48 volt DC electronic
equipment. Candidates should have experience programming DGU(s),
LMS(s), Milleniums, Galaxy(s)s, etc.
- Candidates are invited to post
their resumes on our web site, www.adc.com.
Once there, Candidates can view open jobs and apply to them by
clicking on the "careers" link.
-
-
- Kevin Geathers,
Sr. Staffing Specialist
ADC Telecommunications
1-800-833-8843 x 6317
Verizon Openings In Newport News,
VA
http://www22.verizon.com/about/careers/login/?jid=HJOBP000000002436022&referrer=FOA
http://www22.verizon.com/about/careers/login/?jid=HJOBP000000002445052&referrer=FOA
-
- Verizon: Fiber Network Field
Technician (Outside Field Technician)
- Openings in the following areas:
CA, TX, WA, OR, VA, MA, NJ, RI
-
- Take your career to new heights
at a company that's a leader in global communications: Verizon.
We offer an unparalleled opportunity to advance your career while
contributing in an enthusiastic, team-oriented environment.
- Primary duties include, but
are not limited to:
- Install, remove, rearrange,
program, test, troubleshoot and maintain fiber network services.
Install and configure routers, set top boxes. May assist
with installation of PC software as needed and ensure proper
configuration of the customer's PC. Interact with the Fiber
Solution Center as needed. May install appropriate inside
wire/cable.
Install, maintain and repair outside and inside fiber equipment/facilities
including inside wiring and fiber jumpers at the distribution
hub.
Interface with customer to negotiate the placement of equipment;
may assist with account registration, e-mail, and web access,
and training the customer on how to use the new equipment. Ensure
customer satisfaction. Respond to inquiries and provide
follow-up, as necessary.
Interpret schematic work order drawings to determine job specifications
and installation needs. Order and/or obtain required equipment.
Effect problem solving where appropriate.
Utilize various test equipment to analyze equipment trouble and
take appropriate maintenance action.
- Skills/Requirements:
- Requires high level of customer
contact to ensure customer satisfaction.
Climbing poles and ladders; lifting 75-100 pounds on a regular
basis; pushing, reaching, bending and stooping; manual dexterity;
good sense of balance; and good color vision.
Must have a current/valid California Drivers License and a clean
driving record.
Qualified candidates must pass all company required tests, a
pre-employment drug screen and a background check. In addition,
candidates will be required to successfully pass a legally required
DOJ Criminal Records Check/screening process (fingerprinting).
Candidates must be able to work any shift given, including days,
weekends, holidays and overtime as required.
- Verizon offers:
- Hourly rate for this position
is $12.87-28.55. Wage credit may be granted for related
work experience and/or college degree.
Benefits include medical, dental, life insurance, 401(k) with
Company match and paid vacation
- interested candidates should
go to https://www22.verizon.com/about/careers/fiberjobs.html
to apply AND schedule themselves for testing.
- Thank you for showing an
interest in Verizon!
Verizon is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer supporting
workforce diversity. m/f/d/v. Principals only!
-
-
-
-
-
- Also Check Recent Job Openings
In Previous Issues of The FOA Newsletter
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- Tech Puzzler
- How many different ways are
there to set a "0 dB" reference for insertion loss
testing? For the answer, see
below.
-
-
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- Answer below
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- Understanding FOA Certifications
- To answer questions on FOA certifications,
we've created several new web pages:
- Overview
of FOA certifications
- CFOT
- CFxT
- AFOT
- CFOS
- Training
Requirements - What Schools Are Teaching
-
- Reading these will help you
understand what each FOA certification covers and how to prepare
for them.
-
- New Professional Society
for Structured Cabling Recognizes Importance of Fiber Optics
(and Wireless)
- The new Structured Cabling Association,
Inc. (http://www.scausa.org/)
is a professional society aimed at installers of "structured
cabling" or premises cabling. Structured cabling has been
focused on so-called "Cat 5" or UTP cabling for years,
while network speeds have left UTP behind. Now most backbones
for LANs are fiber optics and every network seems to have wireless.
The SCA, founded in part by FOA activists Tom Collins and Jim
Hayes, intends to make structured cabling training and certification
more relevant to today's world.
-
-
 FOA Logo Merchandise
- FOA has arranged with EmbroidMe
to provide FOA logo merchandies. Identify yourself as a FOA-certified
tech or instructor. The lab coats are super impressive for either
cabling techs and instructors. Check
out the selection.
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- FOA CFOT Renewals Get Free
Copy of NECA/FOA Installation Standard
- Every CFOT renewal will now
receive a free copy of NECA 301-2004,
Installing And Testing Fiber Optic Cables, produced by
The FOA in cooperation with NECA (The National Electrical Contractors
Association). This is an important reference document for defining
the installation and testing of fiber optic cable plants in a
"neat and workmanlike manner."
- The FOA feels this is such an
important document that we are giving a free copy (normally priced
at $15) to every active CFOT when they renew their active status.
- The FOA has also sent free copies
to all FOA-Approved schools. The new FOA CFOT exam to be used
after August, 2005, will include questions from the standard.
Schools should be including information from the standard in
their classes already.
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- FOA Certification Top Choice
The FOA CFOT and CFOS programs continue to gain momentum in fiber
optics. Over 20,000 CFOTs have been certified by over 160 schools
as the FOA enters its 12th year. Since our founding in July,
1995, we have dedicated ourselves to promoting fiber optics and
professionalism in fiber optics personnel, focusing on education
and certification. We are continuing to add new schools and more
CFOTs as users of fiber optics learn that a CFOT is the indication
of a professional, well-trained fiber optic technician. Now with
FTTH (fiber to the home) finally taking off, demand for CFOTs
is rising and schools are responding by expanding programs rapidly.
- The FOA now has approved programs
at 160+ organizations, welcoming new additions like the Joint
Apprenticeship and Training Committee of the International Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers, Corning
Cable Systems and AFL
for their installation training programs and NASA's Goldstone
Tracking Station. The complete list of FOA-Approved schools is
at http://www.thefoa.org/foa_aprv.htm.
Your Name, CFOT - It pays
to advertise!
The FOA encourages CFOTs to use
the logo on their business cards, letterhead, truck or van, etc.
and provides logo
files on this site for that purpose. But we are also asked
about how to use the CFOT or CFOS certifications. Easy, you can
refer to yourself as "Your Name, CFOT" or "Your
Name, CFOS/T" for example.
Feel free to use the logo and
designations to promote your achievements and professionalism!
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JDSU offers a free download of their
Testing Guide from the Lightwave website. This is one great book
which explains some basic fiber technology, but the real value
is the last half which deals with OTDR testing. Not only does
it give the usual info, but it covers important topics like measurement
uncertainties and anomolies like ghosts and gainers.
Now In Spanish: FOA Textbook
& Text For FOA Advanced Certifications
