Let's Talk Cabling!

Send us Fan Mail Polywater's new Cable Jacket Repair Kit offers a game-changing solution for torn cable jackets that restores waterproof protection without needing expensive splice enclosures. Ryan Murphy from Polywater explains how this innovative product came about from field conversations with service providers and details its unique two-part epoxy formulation designed specifically for pol...

Send us Fan Mail Adaptability isn't just a buzzword in the ICT industry—it's the essential quality separating thriving companies from those merely surviving. In this episode, Brad Everett, General Manager of UCL Americas, takes us behind the scenes of their strategic acquisition of Accurate Connections, revealing how two complementary businesses became something greater than the sum of t...

Send us Fan Mail Three successful low-voltage business owners share candid insights and hard-earned wisdom about starting and running your own company in the ICT industry. They discuss everything from tool investments and hiring decisions to managing customer relationships and balancing work-life responsibilities. • Deciding when to invest in expensive equipment like certifiers ($10,000-$26,000) v...

Send us Fan Mail Estimating in the low-voltage world isn't just for project managers – it's a vital skill that impacts everyone from first-year apprentices to seasoned field technicians. This episode dives deep into how understanding the estimating process can transform your approach to cabling installations and boost your career trajectory. Ever wondered why that extra HVAC duct in the...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to transform your low voltage skills into a thriving business? Three successful entrepreneurs who've walked this path share the unfiltered truth about what it takes to transition from installer to owner. Pierce (All Green Lights), Ryan (R&R Connectivity), and Jeff (Better Days Technology) reveal that their journeys didn't begin with meticulous planning but with...

Send us Fan Mail We dive into the world of network cabling, answering 20 questions about Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6A cables in a fast-paced, information-packed session to help you make better cable choices. • Cat5e vs Cat6: Cat6 offers more bandwidth (250MHz vs 100MHz) and headroom for future applications • Cat6 can handle 10Gbps up to 37-55 meters, while Cat6A supports 10Gbps to the full 100 meters •...

Send us Fan Mail Tim Carroll joins Chuck to share expert strategies for technicians transitioning to sales roles or starting their own low-voltage businesses, providing practical wisdom from his 25 years of industry experience and his book "Sales by the Book." • Everyone is a salesperson, especially technicians who represent the company to customers • ICT sales differ from other industri...

Send us Fan Mail We're empowering installers, designers, and industry pros with tips, stories, and best practices to stay ahead in the low-voltage industry. This Wednesday night episode tackles key industry challenges like finding outdated technical manuals, understanding certifications, and navigating employment options. • Finding the 13th Edition TDMM for contractor licensing despite it bei...

Send us Fan Mail Sean Rep, known for his meticulous cable management and massive social media following, shares his journey from central office trainee to "closet artist" with a reputation for creating perfect cable waterfalls. • Started in 2000 with Lucent Technologies before the tech crash, receiving extensive training but limited field experience initially • Bundles cables in groups o...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Knowledge is power!  Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling .  Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com  Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

Send us Fan Mail Professionalism in the ICT industry goes beyond technical skills to encompass how technicians carry themselves, communicate, and build trust through consistent, quality work. • Credentials serve as "career insurance" – showing your commitment to building a career, not just pulling cable • Your appearance sends signals about work quality – if your shirt has holes, clients...

Send us Fan Mail Chuck Bowser explores essential cabling concepts from fiber optic compatibility to future-proofing residential installations and proper grounding techniques. He addresses practical concerns for industry professionals while celebrating new RCDD certifications within the Let's Talk Cabling community. • APC fiber patch cords should never be connected to UPC fiber adapter panels...

Send us Fan Mail We dive into the often-overlooked world of specification engineers and their critical role in ensuring successful low voltage infrastructure projects. Roy Chamberlain from Leviton Network Solutions shares insights on how these behind-the-scenes experts help project managers, estimators, and technicians navigate complex specifications and standards. • Specification engineers serve...

Send us Fan Mail We break down essential technical concepts for low-voltage professionals, from proper termination block spacing to ladder safety protocols.  • Use the four square inch rule for every four-pair circuit when planning termination block wall space • UPS batteries perform best at 77°F with life reduced by half for every 10°C above optimal temperature • Speaker coverage for speech intel...

Send us Fan Mail Dive beneath the surface with us as we unearth the critical yet often misunderstood world of grounding electrodes. What appears to be just a metal rod driven into soil is actually your first line of defense against destructive lightning strikes and electrical surges that threaten both equipment and human safety. This episode takes you step-by-step through the proper installation o...

Send us Fan Mail Chuck shares insights from TechFest 2025 and answers critical questions about career advancement in the low-voltage industry while tackling common misconceptions about fiber termination practices. • Transitioning to project management requires developing computer skills, understanding project tracking tools, and learning to read scopes of work and specifications • Developing soft...

Send us Fan Mail Due to the holiday weekend we are running a blast from the past. One of the most requested episodes! The FrameFrog system creates a seamless pathway for wiring electrified door openings, solving a decades-old problem that has plagued low voltage installers and access control specialists. • Architects Ron Hicks and construction expert Gary Johnson developed FrameFrog after 20 years...

Send us Fan Mail Chuck Bowser, RCDD, addresses crucial questions about low-voltage systems, covering EMI detection, IP ratings, camera lenses, and safety procedures in this technical deep-dive episode. • Signs of electromagnetic interference include humming audio, equipment damage, fuzzy screens, ESD shocks, and signal glitches • Standard installation practices like separation from power cables ca...

Send us Fan Mail The telecommunications industry faces a critical shortage of skilled fiber technicians just as the federal government's Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program injects $48.5 billion to connect 10.7 million homes currently without internet access. • Sean Kelly from Light Brigade explains how the skills gap developed as educational systems steered students away from tec...

Send us Fan Mail Chuck explores the complex dynamics between electricians and low-voltage specialists while discussing how to choose between fiber optics and copper cabling in various project scenarios. • Explaining to customers that specialists are best for specialized work, using the analogy of not going to a podiatrist for a root canal • Fiber offers more bandwidth, EMI immunity, and longer dis...

Send us Fan Mail PoE extenders create a revolutionary solution for the longstanding 100-meter cable distance limitation by utilizing higher voltage power to boost data signals and extend network reach without sacrificing performance. • How standard data signals degrade over copper cable due to electrical resistance • Why 100 meters (330 feet) became the industry standard distance limitation • Tech...

Send us Fan Mail Chuck Bowser dives into the four families of telecommunication standards and explains how each impacts low-voltage installations across different environments. The conversation clarifies the crucial differences between standards (for performance) and codes (for safety), while offering actionable guidance on testing methodologies and cable management best practices. • ICT standards...

Send us Fan Mail We explore an innovative tool for low-voltage technicians with inventor Bobby Martin, who created the OmniShelf – a portable magnetic workspace that attaches to metal surfaces for holding laptops, tools, and equipment in the field. • Bobby developed the idea while working on drilling rigs, noticing the need for a portable workspace • The OmniShelf features powerful rare earth magn...

Send us Fan Mail Chuck welcomes Caroline, Senior VP of Marketing from Bicsi, to discuss the transformational rebranding of Bicsi's fall conference to "Bicsi Beyond" and how it represents a fundamental shift in approach to serve the industry better. • Bicsi Beyond reimagines the traditional fall conference with a focus on convergence and future technologies • New session formats incl...

Send us Fan Mail Nolan from Fortress Telecom joins Chuck to share insights from the Orlando Airport Terminal C tour at the BICSI Conference, revealing cutting-edge infrastructure innovations and valuable lessons for low-voltage professionals. • Exploring the 100% trackable RFID baggage system using reusable sleds with RFID tags • Behind-the-scenes look at telecommunications rooms with perfect inst...