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PROGRESSION: MAINTENANCE TECH I - II
CONVENTIONAL EXAM NEWEST 2025 ACTUAL
EXAM COMPLETE 100 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+
Why does the output level from customer premises equipment (CPE) vary? - ANSWER-To compensate for variable amounts of attenuation in the return path of each device.
When calculating return path attenuation in the drop system, what is the attenuation loss through the hot-leg of an unbalanced three-way splitter at sub-split frequencies? - ANSWER-3.5 dB.
What purpose do diplex filters fulfill when installed at the input and output of a two-way amplifier module? - ANSWER-To route the forward and return signals over different circuit paths to the appropriate section so that they can be amplified separately.
How does the signal attenuation through coaxial cable in the sub-band frequency spectrum compare to the attenuation at forward path frequencies? - ANSWER-At sub-band frequencies, 1 / 3
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the signal attenuation is significantly less than in the forward path.
What recourse do broadband cable operators have if citizens band (CB) and ham radio signals ingress into their network? - ANSWER-None, as long as the radio transmissions are at or below legal power levels, it is the cable operator's obligation to prevent these signals from entering their network.
How is impulse noise characterized when viewed on a spectrum analyzer? - ANSWER-Impulse noise will appear as random spikes of energy across the entire return path frequency spectrum (5 to 42 MHz).
How can the amount of thermal noise added to a network be minimized? - ANSWER-By ensuring that the RF input is at or above the specified minimum input level to all amplifiers.
What location in the network is common path distortion (CPD) most severe? - ANSWER-At the output of a forward amplifier because the forward levels are highest and the return levels are lowest.
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What distinguishes a micro-reflection from other types of signal reflections? - ANSWER-In micro-reflections, the echoed signals arrive back at the source with a time delay relative to the incident or transmitted signal, ranging from nanoseconds (ns) to a few microseconds (µs).
What are the symptoms of hum on an upstream digital modulation channel? - ANSWER-Bit errors occur, similar to impulse noise and ingress on the upstream path.
Why is it imperative to keep all ingress and impulse noise, even that outside the frequency range of the RF return carriers, to a minimum? - ANSWER-Regardless of the frequency, if the impulse noise or ingress is high enough, it can cause laser clipping.
When looking at a cable modem's PreEqualization Tap response, what do you know if the ninth bar is less than 10 dB below the eighth bar? - ANSWER-That there are high micro-reflections and that the cause is near the modem, likely in the drop system.
What practice can uncover potential return path problems in the drop system that can be mitigated before entering the network? - ANSWER-Prescreening the drop system for ingress or egress.
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