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Author Topic: Compatibility of ham radio w ATT Fiber?  (Read 494 times)

W5SU

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Compatibility of ham radio w ATT Fiber?
« on: April 12, 2021, 07:20:32 AM »

I currently have ATT DSL for internet service.  Admittedly it is painfully slow, but I had to revert back to it several years ago as a result of problems when I tried Uverse. Fiber is now available in my neighborhood.

The problem was in the gateway box.  Every time I got on 40M with even very low power, I locked up the Internet connection, TV set, and all devices controlled by the router. After the technician made many attempts to remedy the problem, I was able to find technical info about that gateway box on Pace's website that said it may not work in the presence of baby monitors, police radios CB, ham radio, or radio signals from 4-9 MHz.

I acknowledge that many will suggest that I change to cable, satellite, or other services for Internet, but without going into detailed reasons, I'm electing to stay with ATT if possible. 

So my specific question to the FORUM is whether anybody has had personal experience w ATT Fiber and if there have been any problems.  I operate HF and occasionally use an amplifier running legal limit.

Thanks for your response(s).

'73!
Carl - W5SU
Dallas TX
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WA9AFM

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Re: Compatibility of ham radio w ATT Fiber?
« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2021, 07:55:54 AM »

Carl,
I'm on good ole fashioned cable; no AT&T fiber in our neighborhood as yet.
     
The gateway box is certainly a Part 15 device which must accept interference from a licensed radio service.  However, since it's your gateway, you are at a crossroads.  Do I lock up the gateway and loose service while operating 40m or cease operations on 40m?. 

I would offer you not operate on 40m for the near term with the hope AT&T introduces a gateway upgrade which doesn't have the RFI problems.  I'm sure other customers are having the same problem which will force AT&T's hand.

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K7AAT

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Re: Compatibility of ham radio w ATT Fiber?
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2021, 08:04:46 AM »


If it were me, I'd probably purchase my own higher quality DSL modem, since the ATT provided one has known RFI issues.
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W5SU

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Re: Compatibility of ham radio w ATT Fiber?
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2021, 08:41:00 AM »

I think you guys missed the point of my question.

I'm NOT seeking advise about how to fix the Uverse problem.  That's history.  I just want to know what peoples' personal experiences have been specifically with Fiber.

What's DSL modem have to do with it?  My problem was with the Pace gateway box that was provided BY ATT. 

Part 15 device or not...the gateway box's manual specifically acknowledged its vulnerability to RF between 4 and 9 MHz.  It wasn't emitting a signal that interfered w 40M and didn't impair my ability to communicate; but my signal (even QRP) shut it down.  I'm not going to get in the middle of that.

To offer me not to operate on 40M is ludicrous.  If you search this forum for the keyword "Uverse", you'll find that plenty of others have had the same problem and for long enough that ATT's hand should have already been forced. 

So, if anybody can share their personal experiences with ham radio and ATT fiber, please let me know.

Thanks again all!

/Carl - W5SU
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W6BP

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Re: Compatibility of ham radio w ATT Fiber?
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2021, 09:08:55 AM »

Sonic.net, my ISP, offers rebranded AT&T fiber (using AT&T modems) in my area. I've been using it for a few years, and I've had no problems with it when transmitting on 40m or 20m (can't tell you much about other bands).
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K6BRN

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Re: Compatibility of ham radio w ATT Fiber?
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2021, 09:25:09 AM »

Hi Carl:

Frontier (SoCal) provides optical fiber service in my neighborhood, which also has many hams.  The metal/shielded optical to electrical MODEM box is generally mounted on an outside wall, though some have it mounted in their garage.  Secondary signal distribution to terminals within the home is via shielded coax (cable TV lines).

I'm not aware of anyone having interference problems with this arrangement, on any band at any power level.

Is your system using wireless or unshielded lines for communications to the terminals?  If so, that could be a problem.  Also - it's very odd that your fiber/cable company would use a MODEM so vulnerable to RF that it warns about baby monitor use - which would be in the milliwatt range.  And the 4-9MHz range is loaded with RFI from switching power supplies, solar inverters, etc.  So I'd think that system would be a non-starter.

Something is "off" regarding your optical fiber system and what you're being told.

That said, it might be time to grab a bag of toroids and start installing them on the MODEM and terminal power supply, I/O, etc.

Good luck - sounds like a difficult and frustrating problem.

Brian - K6BRN
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KY4FN

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Re: Compatibility of ham radio w ATT Fiber?
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2021, 11:51:16 AM »

Carl, have you tried any RFI reduction techniques? Ferrites, toroids? Try plugging the radio power supply or the fiber gateway into a different circuit in your home? Does it happen when you radiate into a dummy load, or only when you're on air?
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K7AAT

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Re: Compatibility of ham radio w ATT Fiber?
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2021, 02:58:21 PM »

Carl,   its obvious that people are either not reading your initial post carefully,   or not reading any of the followup posts BEFORE posting their own response.  I know I did not read your initial post carefully and responded off the topic you were raising.   You can lead a horse to water,  but you can't make it drink . . . .

But to your question --  I cannot imagine not getting far better service with ATT fiber connection compared to anyone's DSL, including ATT.   DSL is antiquated and slow ... and in your case,  ATT is providing a poor modem.   I'd think that your current RFI situation would be highly unlikely if you do switch to ATT fiber and its associated equipment....      maybe some others here will respond with their ATT fiber experience.
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K4KRW

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Re: Compatibility of ham radio w ATT Fiber?
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2021, 05:32:13 PM »

Carl,

Something to watch out for.  My neighbor switched to fiber and the crew did not bury the fiber going from the main line to his house deep at all.  That fall when he had his yard aerated, his fiber was toast.  It took two weeks to get another crew out.

Richard
K4KRW
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K6BRN

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Re: Compatibility of ham radio w ATT Fiber?
« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2021, 06:16:37 PM »

OK time to clarify...

Carl - was your Uverse problem with fiber, cable or?

Brian - K6BRN
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KD4S

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Re: Compatibility of ham radio w ATT Fiber?
« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2021, 04:26:02 AM »

I have ATT fiber with no RFI issues. I use all HF bands with up to 500 watts. The ATT provided modem is maybe 20 feet away with my radio coax running parallel to some of the cables to the modem. Like another post, my fiber cable is barely below surface of ground and I can not aerate the soil. My antennas are a vertical about 100 feet from home and a EFHW wire from corner of home to a tree.

OTOH, I did have internet service lock up when on six meters with a moxon antenna just outside the roofline. I could operate with antenna pointed away from modem with up to 50 watts.

I would like to replace the ATT modem with another because service drops frequently. But, ATT doesn't want that and I have browsed internet to find it looks like an issue to setup. Maybe I need to try harder.

73, Dick, KD4S
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K0IZ

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Re: Compatibility of ham radio w ATT Fiber?
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2021, 06:45:30 PM »

I have Google Fiber, probably very similar setup.  There is a small unit which converts the fiber to Ethernet.  The unit is in basement adjacent to where fiber enters (from underground).

Then CAT6 (my installation) to Google modem elsewhere in basement.  Modem feeds a 48 port splitter, and CAT6 all over. 

I don't have any RFI problems but if I did, I would first look to install toroids at both ends of CAT6 between fiber unit and model, each toroid with several turns of CAT6.
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N0GV

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Re: Compatibility of ham radio w ATT Fiber?
« Reply #12 on: May 26, 2021, 02:25:19 PM »

I prefer Steak, not ham, with my Fiber and, I prefer asparagus for the fiber.... ;)

AT&T ain't what it used to was.... On the other hand here in Florida we don't need to worry about the problems you describe; when they serve beans in the Bahamas we lose power down here.....

Grover
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